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.

How Much do Various Types of Metal Cladding Systems for Building Cost?

Metal Cladding Systems Cost

The cladding system of the buildings is the primary factor making the city look brilliant and different from other cities. Architects focus on creating aesthetic building facades with varying wall materials to provide eye-catching sight for the facility for pedestrians walking past the area and the occupants. Moreover, manufacturers produce different types of metal cladding systems in a wide array of finishes and styles to help architects and builders provide structural support, attractiveness, and increase energy efficiency for the buildings across the country. Thus, over the past few years, different types of metal cladding systems, in particular, have been gaining popularity in Canada and the USA.

The durability of traditional brick claddings are well-regarded, but they do not offer considerable flexibility and room for customization as metal cladding materials do. Metal panel systems can be fabricated or cut into a variety of modern designs and shapes. Additionally, these contemporary building materials are easy to paint and can add extra beauty to their appearance.

The current advancement in facade paneling systems and application techniques has brought rain-screen wall products into the construction industry. These practical cladding systems are created with extra layers of metal sheathing featuring waterproof characteristics and empty air space pockets between the panels and the interior wall system. The beneficial properties of rainscreen systems made them the perfect solution for keeping the moisture away from the internal structure, allowing the facility to dry quickly and maintain its finish and beauty during heavy downpours.

Types of Metal Cladding Systems and Their Cost

Currently, metal cladding systems for buildings come in a wide range of materials, including Aluminum Composites, Aluminum, Zinc, Copper, Steel, Galvanized Steel, etc. Landlords and homeowners decide the materials depending on the project’s safety, energy efficiency, and aesthetics. However, the cost for different types of metal cladding systems will primarily affect the choice of the building’s facade. Each of the sheet metal panels for the exterior projects features unique characteristics, styles, and costs. Thus, knowing their difference will help anyone to choose the most suitable material for the new or renewal projects for both private and commercial facilities.

Aluminum Composite Panels & Flat Aluminum Sidings

Due to the beneficial physical properties of Aluminum itself, manufacturers use the material for developing various building materials, including cladding systems for the industry. Aluminum cladding products lines the external systems of over 60% of the commercial and industrial construction projects.

The products made from Aluminum are incredibly lightweight, making aluminum sidings easy to fabricate and install for the project. Another beneficial characteristic of aluminum sidings and ACM panels (aluminum composite panels) is that they are corrosion resistant and immune to rusting. These materials form a dense oxide layer when exposed to humidity and air, providing a natural coating against rain and moisture. Aluminum building materials often last about 40 years if maintained properly. Thus, they manage to be more costly than other cladding systems. However, higher-quality ACM panels having fire-resistant cores can be pricier. The price range for flat aluminum sidings is 4$-10$, and ACM panels are 15$-30$ per sq. ft.

Zinc Metal Cladding Systems

Zin metal cladding systems offer a unique look to any building’s facade, and, as such, the exterior products are slowly gaining popularity among architects. Like aluminum cladding materials, zinc generates an oxide layer that protects the facility against external elements, lasting for up to 100 years. These building materials are also entirely recyclable, making them environmentally friendly products. Due to the unique characteristics of zinc, this substance is more expensive than ACM panels and aluminum sidings. However, they are not as high-quality as aluminum composite panels. The price for flat metal panels of zinc is about 8$-16$, and the cladding systems metal panels cost varies from 22$ to 35$ depending on the dimensions.

Copper Building Facade

Copper panel systems for building facades do not require treatment artificially for preserving their surface from corrosion and rust. These metal cladding systems form a beautiful greenish patina on their own over time which designers appreciate in their projects. Copper materials are considered self-maintaining products as the produced oxide layer covers scratches and other forms of occurred damages. However, installing these metal cladding systems has challenges, and finding an experienced installer may be an issue. Due to the aesthetic qualities of these metal claddings, copper exterior panels are the most expensive products for buildings facades. The price for flat sheet copper is between 10 to 15 Canadian dollars, and the panel’s cost range is 25 to 40 dollars.

Steel and Galvanized Steel Metal Cladding Systems

Steel and Galvanized Steel metal cladding systems are generally the most affordable building facade materials. These cladding products offer an admirable life span of around 32-37 years. However, this substance is considered less durable and flexible compared to ACM panels and aluminum cladding systems. The price of steel panels is generally around 12 to 18 dollars.

Rainscreen Construction Principle (Part II)

Rainscreen Construction Principle

Rainscreen Construction Principle basic idea is to have an exterior surface or cladding layer that can break the force of sideways, wind load, water movement, resulting in preventing water penetration into the building’s structure. For most of the buildings, from modern to traditional ones, water is the biggest enemy. However, producing a complete watertight cladding system is challenging. Thus, manufacturers started working on the rainscreen construction principle decades ago to provide better protection for the constructions in the city. Rainscreen comes in different styles and types. One of the most popular types is the ACM panels or ACP materials used widely in the modern era. These particular products offer numerous advantages along with their waterproof characteristics.

In the rainscreen construction principle part 1, we discussed the basics of these practical systems and their structure that engineers designed for better watertight characteristics. This article covers essential information about this principle that anyone in the building industry must know.

Rainscreen Construction Principle Types

The rain screen construction principle is based upon two distinct and separate barriers on the building’s cladding. The outer barrier controls most rainwater while the inner leaf performs multiple functions, including moisture and air barrier, insulation, and the structural wall. The outer section allows the water to penetrate through open joinery, and the volume of the penetration depends on the design principle. This is where two distinct types of products come into the picture: the Drained/Back-ventilated and Pressure-equalized/Compartmented systems.

Both rainscreen systems are available in ACM panels cladding materials and different siding for the facade. They use the principle of controlling water leakage without stopping it from penetrating through the exposed outer surface completely. However, the internal design of both systems functions differently based upon the approach. Moreover, the Rainscreen construction principle has been generalized and consolidated into one unified product in specifications combined with both types’ characteristics. For complicating and confusing matters, the water, and air resistance standards from the traditional building cladding systems are applied to these modern designs and specifications of the exterior material’s exposure. Placing the water and air tightness codes on the outer surface of the barrier contradicts the underlying fundamentals of the Rainscreen Construction Principle. Now let’s get to the fundamental of each system.

Pressure-Equalized/ Compartmented Rainscreen

In this article, we focus on the Pressure-equalized rainscreen principle, which is very design intensive. Please read the third part of this article to learn about Drained/Back-ventilated systems for ACM panels.

Pressure-equalized systems are susceptible to design variations and deviations from their design principle. The openings in this system are created uniquely for both static and dynamic pressure equalization allowance across the rainscreen. The essential factor that separates this system from the D/BV principle is the design and the use of the compartmented method within the cavity. The reason behind the compartment is that the pressure equalization can only happen within limited periods and in the case of controlled volume behind the Rainscreen system. This equalization is essential due to the none-uniformity of wind loads, constantly changing across a single cladding of a building.

The vent numbers and their geometry calculation depend on the cavity volume, allowing sufficient airflow in and out of the internal equalized area quickly enough to respond to the ever-changing wind loads. This promotes the pressure differences between the ACM panels or other types of panels used in the system and the internal compartment pressure resulting in equalizing the air pressure on the external cladding and the inner sides of the building facade. If the conditions exist properly, forces causing water movement will decrease; if not, they will be eliminated.

The effective area of the vent holes in this type of rainscreen construction principle depends on three factors which are:

  • The airtightness of the air barrier on the inner section
  • The stiffness of the cladding material and its inner leaf
  • The volume of the compartments that make up the internal air space

The compartments are the essential elements of a proper pressure-equalized rain screen principle. They come with crucial properties, characteristics, and functionalities. Followings are the reasons why these elements play an indispensable role in the PE systems:

  • They control lateral and vertical airflow.
  • They size the volume of the space that the vent openings must be designed for facilitation.
  • The most crucial role of compartments is limiting water infiltration and controlling the water drainage when air-pressure disequilibrium occurs.

The characteristics above show that rainscreens with non-compartmentalized cavities cannot be pressure equalized. However, many of this system’s construction factors and elements are almost similar to the drained/back-ventilated rain screen construction principle. Still, they have several significant and essential differences, which we have discussed in the third part of this article.