5 Best Building Claddings- Pros and Cons- Cost

best building claddings

Current construction and architectural trends emphasize the importance of using recyclable and natural elements in residential and commercial facilities. However, this does not mean homeowners should not protect their homes from exterior elements such as rainwater and snow. While your home can have modern and beautiful features such as interior plants, your facility needs protection to last long. So, you will have to choose and buy the best building claddings for your homes that function as the protective skin of the structure.

High-quality and best building claddings protect the structural elements and the interiors from various exterior threats. Typically, building cladding manufacturers produce these essential components with several layers, including the outer surface, vapor barriers, insulation layers, etc.

Although metal sidings such as aluminum cladding systems and brick are two of the most common exterior cladding materials, building material suppliers and suppliers offer other systems among the best building claddings that you can use for your home or business building.

best metal building claddings

These best building claddings have unique characteristics that make them perfect for a particular project. So, if you want to choose and buy the best building claddings for your homes or commercial facilities, you should have basic knowledge about the most common materials. Additionally, since buying cladding materials is considered an investment, you should be careful what you choose for a specific building.

Since we have seen many homeowners seeking the best building claddings for their homes, and most of them didn’t know their options or what they needed, we decided to provide the best guide for you to help you choose the best cladding material for your residential or commercial facility.

The best building claddings currently are:

  • Bricks
  • Wood Sidings
  • Aluminum Composite Panels
  • All Metal Sidings
  • Vinyl Building Claddings.
metal cladding

Some of the Best Claddings are Made from Bricks

Bricks are the most traditional building cladding systems that are made from natural elements like clay soil. Manufacturers burn and bake clay soil to produce bricks.

Bricks are the best claddings in terms of painting since they do not require any other paints and can last long. These traditional home claddings capture heat for passive solar homes since they have efficient thermal mass.

Since there is a gap between the main wall of your home and the brick cladding system, your building will benefit from extra insulation.

Most of the current building material manufacturers produce the best building claddings with bricks that are made from recycled materials such as fly ash which reduces carbon emissions.

Pros of Best Building Claddings that are Made from Brick

  • Environmentally friendly claddings
  • Capture heat for passive solar houses
  • Offers extra insulation
  • Produced from recycled materials
  • Brick building claddings can last long

Cons of Brick Cladding System

  • The main disadvantage of brick cladding systems is that the production process requires a lot of energy since the material should be burnt in kilns.
  • Manufacturers use mortars to bind bricks. These mortars contain cement, and the carbon footprint is about 5% of the world’s carbon dioxide emissions.

Cost of Brick Cladding Material

The best brick cladding materials cost around $1 to $2.5 per brick. If you want to use brick cladding for your home, you will need 3 to 4 bricks to make up the square meter. ($3 to $10 per square meter)

Wood Sidings are Among Best Building Claddings

Wood siding is another traditional building material among the best building claddings. Modern building material manufacturers produce wood sidings that are combined with aluminum and plastic to provide higher durability and a more contemporary appearance.

Wood building claddings are available in various styles and options, including:

  • Board and Batten
  • Bevel Clapboards
  • Tongue and Groove
  • Shake
  • Shingle

The wood species used for these best building claddings in natural panels are:

  • Cedar
  • Pine
  • Redwood

Advantages of Wood Claddings

  • The main advantage of wood sidings is that they are made from natural and renewable resources, making them environmentally friendly construction materials.
  • Best building claddings that are made from wood and are FSC certified are obtained and lumbered from forests that are sustainably managed.
  • There are various methods that you can learn to build green homes with wood sidings.
  • Modern construction material suppliers and manufacturers apply a special coating to the wood building claddings to provide better resistance against damaging elements such as rainwater and insects.

Disadvantages of Wood Sidings

  • Wood sidings that are not FSC certified can be resources from unmanaged forests or illegally logged jungles.
  • Most wood claddings require extra coating with varnish or other chemicals to withstand damaging elements.

Cost of Wood Cladding Systems

Since wood siding is made from a natural material, it is considered an expensive building cladding. This cladding material costs around $1 to $4 per square meter. Additionally, there is a cost for its installation, which varies from region to region.

You should also know that the main factors affecting the wood siding cost are its species and style.

building cladding panels

Aluminum Composite Panels are the Best Building Claddings

Aluminum Composite Panel or ACM Panels are the best building claddings for modern homes and buildings. These high-tech materials are lightweight and require little maintenance, and are made from the composition of two aluminum plates that are attached to a mineral fill or fire-retardant core substance. High-quality aluminum composite panels are not vulnerable to water, snow, debris, and insects.

Pros of ACM Panels

  • ACM panels are long-lasting.
  • Aluminum composite panels are the best building claddings because they are low-maintenance.
  • ACP is a lightweight material.
  • All aluminum composite panels are resistant to insects, moisture, and humidity.
  • Fire-rated aluminum composite panels offer safety.
  • ACM panels are perfect sound and heat insulators.
  • ACM panels are the best building claddings since they do not expand or contract so much during cold seasons.
  • Aluminum composite panels reduce energy bills.
  • ACM panels are a perfect investment and will add value to your home.

Cons of Aluminum Composite Materials As the Best Building Claddings

  • It is hard to believe, but aluminum composite panels do not have any crucial drawbacks, making them the best building claddings in the construction industry.
  • The only drawback of these valuable materials is their higher cost than some of the old cladding systems. However, old claddings could last at most 5 to 10 years, while ACM panels can last more than 40 years.

ACM Panels Cost

ACM panel’s cost varies depending on the style, finishes, and colors you choose. Additionally, the location of your building can also affect its cost.

If you want to buy aluminum composite material for your next project, you should expect to pay around $2 to $10 per square meter.

Metal Sidings (Steel, Copper, Aluminum) are Among the Best Building Claddings

Metal sidings are more traditional construction systems, but they are also among the best building materials that are available for new and renovation projects. These claddings are durable and do not require frequent maintenance. Common metal claddings are:

Pros of Metal Building Claddings

  • The main advantage of metal building claddings is their longevity and low maintenance characteristics.
  • If you install metal claddings, they will last for decades.
  • Rainwater or snow cannot damage high-quality metal claddings.
  • All of the metal cladding systems are insect-proof.
  • Metal cladding that is made from steel and aluminum is fireproof.

Cons of Metal Sidings and Claddings

  • Manufacturers that produce metal claddings need raw metal. So, the process requires metal mining which is not environmentally friendly. However, most metal claddings are recyclable. For instance, most aluminum sidings are produced with recycled cladding panels.
  • Some of the metal claddings, such as steel sidings, are more expensive than aluminum sidings or aluminum compote panels, making them the non-economical choice.

Cost of Metal Building Cladding Systems

Generally, most metal building cladding systems cost around $2 to $7.5 per square meter. However, their price mainly depends on the material that the cladding is made of, its style, and its design. It is good to know that aluminum sidings are the least expensive metal claddings that you can choose for your home.

modern building claddings

Vinyl Building Cladding System

Although ACM panels are the best building claddings, vinyl sidings are also suitable for modern homes. These cladding materials are mainly made from plastic ad PVC material. The best thing about these cladding materials is that they mimic the appearance of natural wood grain, providing a similar look to luxury wood sidings.

Like ACM panels, vinyl sidings are available in various shapes and sizes. However, the color variety may not be as comprehensive as aluminum composite panels. These claddings have become one of the best cladding systems due to their price, durability, and low maintenance characteristics.

Advantages of Vinyl Siding

  • High-quality vinyl sidings are very long-lasting.
  • They do not require complex maintenance.
  • Vinyl sidings are very affordable and can be used for commercial and residential facilities.
  • Most vinyl sidings can increase the R-value of the home’s insulation capacity.
  • Producing vinyl cladding systems does not require much energy.

Cons of Vinyl Claddings

  • Vinyl sidings are not sourced from natural and renewable resources.
  • PVC can cause health issues to workers or builders.
  • Unlike ACM panels, vinyl sidings are not fireproof.

Vinyl Building Claddings Cost

As the cheapest building claddings, vinyl sidings cost around $0.85 to $2.5 per square meter.

Aluminum Siding Panels – 9 Pros and Cons

aluminum siding panels

Aluminum siding was first used for home cladding systems in the 1930s since it was affordable compared to other materials such as brick and wood. These building cladding materials became popular due to their durability and low-maintenance characteristics. Today’s aluminum siding panels offer other various benefits in the construction industry.

Why Use Aluminum Cladding?

Aluminum cladding panels are dent-resistant and inspect-proof construction materials. Additionally, panels that are made from metal are not flammable, so if you live in a region where brush fires are common, using metal cladding systems would be wise.

Modern aluminum siding manufacturers offer panels that do not require much maintenance. If you want to clean aluminum siding, an occasional power wash is all you should do.

Most manufacturers pre-paint aluminum siding panels, and the enamel finish on these cladding systems can last for 15 to 25 years without fading or chalking. If you take care of your siding, it will last more than fifty years.

The style of aluminum siding panels can be combined with beautiful wood patterns. Make sure to check our Wood Pattern ACM Panels.

Although most metal cladding systems are suitable for contemporary and industrial-style buildings, there are other ways that you can use them. For example, you can use them for soffits and roofs since they are durable.

Pros of Aluminum Siding Panels

Although you already understand that aluminum cladding systems are the perfect choice for modern buildings, you should also know their other primary advantages. Here are some of the main pros of aluminum siding panels:

Aluminum Siding Panels Cost

Aluminum sidings are one of the cheapest cladding systems available in the market. Generally, it costs about $2 per sq. ft, and the heaviest gauge is about $4 to $7 per sq. ft.

Aluminum siding panels are typically cheaper than 80% of other durable systems. Additionally, since these cladding panels are lightweight, the labor cost for their installation is lower.

Note: You can also remove one panel of the aluminum siding and replace it with a new one. Read our guide about:

Aluminum Claddings are Low-Maintenance

Cleaning aluminum claddings is extremely easy. It would be best if you rinsed the panels off about once a year to ensure no debris is stuck in the window sills.

Modern Aluminum Siding Panels and Energy-Efficient

Unlike other siding materials, aluminum panels are considered good insulators, and if you want your home to be perfectly insulated, you should opt for heavier gauge panels.

The energy efficiency of modern metal claddings will keep your interior warm during cold seasons and will not let the heat go out during cold seasons.

So, by installing aluminum siding panels, you can decrease your utility bills.

aluminum sidings

Metal Claddings are Environmentally Friendly

Modern aluminum siding panels are considered green home products. Aluminum siding is recyclable, and manufacturers can use recycled panels to produce new ones.

If you want to learn more about the recycling process, click the link: Recycle Aluminum Siding

Aluminum Panels are Waterproof and Do not Rust

If your home is located in a humid region, aluminum sidings are the best cladding systems for you. Modern metal claddings such as ACM panels do not rust or absorb water.

Additionally, aluminum does not swell in humidity and does not shrink in the heat.

Variety of Styles and Colors

One of the best benefits of aluminum siding panels is that manufacturers provide them in various textures, styles, and patterns. Some of them have metallic characteristics, some have wood textures, and others come with solid colors.

Metal panels come pre-painted in the baked-on color finish of your demands, or you can paint the siding panels yourself.

While most homeowners think of horizontal panels or planks when picturing the aluminum siding panels, these building facade systems are also available in vertical boards. This characteristic of metal siding panels gives architects the freedom to design any appearance that will match their preferences.

Aluminum Siding Panels are Insect Proof

Another benefit of aluminum panels is their insect-proof characteristics. Unlike wood or other traditional materials, these sidings are not susceptible to insect damage.

Fire-Resistant

Homeowners that live in areas that experience frequent brush fires are always under stress. However, they should choose metal cladding panels like aluminum sidings to prevent disasters.

Aluminum composite panels and sidings are non-flammable, which means they will not ignite. Additionally, they do not melt or burn. In the worst case, the paint finish will become scorched, but you can clean and repaint it easily.

The fire-resistant characteristic of aluminum sidings makes them a better construction material than vinyl. Additionally, the non-flammability of aluminum panels makes them a popular choice with insurance companies.

Note: Some insurance companies will discount you if you choose fire-resistant materials such as aluminum composite panels.

modern aluminum siding

Aluminum Panels are Extremely Durable

Most manufacturers produce aluminum sidings from coil stock material which is obtained from recycled panels. These metal sidings are coated with certain chemicals that will prevent corrosion.

Then, aluminum siding suppliers and manufacturers bake the color on them with the final layer of color or texture you have chosen. So, these metal panels are strong and do not crack during their lifespan.

If you install and maintain your aluminum siding panels properly, they will last longer than 50 years. So, if you live in a part of the region that has extreme temperatures, aluminum or steel sidings are the better choices.

Note: Unlike other materials such as vinyl or wood, metal sidings will not crack and get brittle in winter or warp in scorching summers.

Cons of Aluminum Siding Panels

Although aluminum siding panels are beneficial construction materials, they have their drawbacks that you should know. However, we have provided a guide for buying quality aluminum sidings that don’t have all the disadvantages below.

Aluminum Panels May Dent and Scratch

Although aluminum is a flexible metal and manufacturers can fabricate them quickly, it is prone to dents and scratches. With this said, if you live in heavy traffic areas, you should expect to repair your sidings.

Small or big dents are repaired in the same way, and it needs to be done by a professional. The expert will drill a small hole in the center of the dented area and pull it out, followed by filling and sanding the hole. After your siding is repaired, you should paint it.

Repairing most metal sidings is challenging since once the panel’s color is faded, they are hard to be matched with others.

Note: If you want to avoid such dents and scratches, you should opt for heavy gauge aluminum siding panels.

Traditional Aluminum Siding Panels are not Good Sound Insulators

Metal panels expand and contract slightly with temperature change during a year. This expansion and contraction can create noise. Additionally, extreme wind loads can also produce an annoying sound. Rain and hail can sound loud on the surface of your traditional aluminum sidings.

The good news is that today’s metal cladding manufacturers produce modern aluminum siding panels that decrease the annoying noises. However, the best metal cladding systems in noise insulation are ACM panels.

aluminum siding cladding

Industrial Appearance

Although the texture and style variety has improved drastically in recent years, aluminum siding panels still look like metal. Some homeowners prefer a natural feel of wood or want their home to look more traditional. For such people, aluminum claddings are not suitable.

The cold feel of metal cladding is very obvious when you stand close to your building. However, current architecture requires modernity, and to provide contemporary designs, metal sidings are necessary.

Alternative Cladding Systems

Current metal panels and building cladding system manufacturers offer various materials for your house or business building. Here are some of the most popular alternative cladding systems that you should know. Make sure to read their differences with aluminum siding to choose the best material for your next project.

Another alternative is wood siding which is a traditional material for building cladding systems. Wood is only suitable for people dedicated to using natural components for their homes. Wood sidings are available in a wide array of profiles. However, the panels require regular and complex maintenance. Additionally, wood sidings are vulnerable to termites and insects.

Note: Building codes and regulations in some areas banned the wood siding usage since it can spread fire quickly.

Can You Paint Aluminum Sidings?

This is the question that most homeowners ask. The answer is yes. Actually, we recommend you paint your siding panels once in a couple of decades.

If you want to paint your metal sidings for a new look or repair project, you should prep the panels by removing all of the boards and creating a smooth surface.

If you want to learn more about painting aluminum sidings, make sure to click this link: How to Paint Aluminum Sidings.