photo: ©Architectural Cladding Australia Pty Ltd

Choosing a cladding system for your home

©Refresh Renovations

Materials matter

The choice of exterior cladding materials has never been greater – and there are new products coming on to the market all the time. Plaster cladding is currently out of favour because of the wave of so-called leaky homes in New Zealand but there are plenty of other choices.

Cladding favourites

Brick veneer: A traditional choice, popular because of its understated good looks, proven performance and longevity. Brick can seem like an expensive option but may be a wise investment as it requires minimal maintenance and is a relatively sustainable choice.

Timber: An exceptionally versatile and resilient material capable of withstanding the New Zealand climate. It can be deployed to contemporary or classic weatherboarding effect – and painted or stained to suit any colour palette. It must, however, be repainted with good quality paint every few years to keep it weathertight and looking fresh. Cedar is a softwood that is often left unpainted. It eventually weathers to a subtle silver grey after exposure to the elements.

Man-made weatherboarding: Classic in looks but lower maintenance than timber, man-made weatherboards can be horizontal or vertical and are popular with those looking for a watertight, low-maintenance and budget-friendly option.

There are a wide variety of brands and products to choose from. Some are high-tech, others less sophisticated; prices vary accordingly so it pays to do your research. This kind of weatherboarding is usually very robust and needs no painting and little maintenance other than an occasional wash. Disadvantages vary according to the material from which the weatherboarding is manufactured; some lower quality products may warp or discolour in particular weather conditions.

Stone: A luxe choice, which is becoming more affordable as manufacturers develop new techniques and products. For example, Craftstone’s new Schist Clad is made from natural stone cut thin and ready to lay. Quicker to install than full thickness stone, pieces are pre-cut and shaped to reduce cutting and noise on site. It’s also relatively economical as less stone is needed to cover each square metre.

Those looking to create a talking point at home, might like the natural volcanic stone mined in New Zealand by the Hinuera Natural Stone Company. For faux stone cladding, check out Hard as Rocks, producers of high quality, artificial stone cladding that is weathertight and almost indistinguishable from the real thing.

Metals: metal cladding, usually zinc alloy or aluminium, is a flexible option that is particularly suitable for contemporary structures with clean, sharp lines. Metal cladding is exceptionally durable and can last between six to eight decades even in harsh environmental conditions. Aluminium is a great choice where weight is an issue – it’s a very light metal, weighing about a third as much as steel or copper.

Concrete: once considered among the most mundane of materials, concrete is now the cladding of choice for many architects. It is an excellent insulator and extremely versatile – it can be smooth, textured, treated with acid, washed, polished and sandblasted. It can be mixed in many colours and it’s even possible to incorporate photographic images with photo concrete.