House cladding helps to shield a building from the elements and creates a beautiful facade. When picking an option for your home, you may wonder what materials are available. Here are several possibilities.
Metal
You could opt for metal cladding which comes in corrugated sheets. Or metal can be moulded and embossed with a wood grain to look like weatherboards. Ribbed sheets can create an edgy style, while planks enhance a traditional aesthetic. Metal also combines well with timber elements on parts of the facade. For example, you could install a feature wall of wood around the garage. Mixing materials adds visual interest and brings out the qualities of each substance by contrasting them against something different. Metal cladding comes in a vast range of colours, so you'll have no problems harmonising it with the environment.
Timber
Timber cladding comes in different shapes and sizes and uses various types of timber. For example, it might consist of spotted gum, blackbutt, or Australian beech in long planks or square panels. However, you need to be careful with timber and treat it for moisture and termites to withstand the elements. Wood gives an unmistakable warm and rustic ambience.
Stone Veneer
Another option to consider is stone veneer. Rather than using natural stone, this cladding is often crafted from cement coloured and textured to look like rock. Moulds are created from real natural stone, and the texture is replicated by pouring cement into the moulds. Once pigments and stains are added, the stone veneer looks real. It will spread beautiful patterns and colours across your home, giving it a stunning appearance. You could create a feature section of the stone veneer to create a centrepiece.
Vinyl
This cladding uses especially tough vinyl that is expressly manufactured to cope with life outdoors in harsh conditions. Thus, it will weather sunshine and rain without deteriorating. In fact, some products offer long-term warranties up to 50 years. Vinyl cladding comes in different shapes and colours and is sometimes embossed to mimic wooden planks or stone blocks.
Some vinyl cladding has installation backing, which will help regulate your home's temperature and keep energy costs to a minimum. Like metal, vinyl is relatively lightweight, making it easy to work with and install over a house. Again, you can combine vinyl cladding with other substances to avoid a bland look. However, if you're channelling a vintage look, you might opt for consistency instead.