Wall cladding and its advantages

Cladding refers to adding a protective layer to the walls or thewall covering, which safeguards and provides aesthetic value to the buildings. Thewall claddingmarket has matured over the years, and research is continuously on for new and innovative methods of thewall claddingsystem.

Stonewall claddingusingnatural stone,woodenwallcladding, brickwall cladding, rock wool insulation,metal panels, ceramic, fibreglass cladding, vinylwall cladding, stainless steelcladding,mosaic andfibre cementcladding are some of the most exploredwallcladdingoptions.

Materials like glass, stone, wood, metal/ACP have always been the preferred choice forexteriorwall claddingfor over a decade. But now, with the evolving industry dimensions along with thefunctionalitystandpoint,cladding materialssuch as Exterior GradeLaminates, Fibre Reinforced Concrete, Metal Claddings (Zinc, Copper, and Steel) are creating a healthy wave in the market. Builders are consciously adopting green screens, wood-plasticcomposite material, exteriorwall tilesand otherdrywallcladding systems for the many advantages they carry. The focus now is on eco-friendliness, flexibility,easy installation, thermal efficiency,durability, energy renewability, reliability andsustainability.

The advantage withwall claddingis itsaesthetic appealas well as itsfunctionality. The solutions for exterior and interior wall cladding are quite different.

• Products used for exterior cladding are weather resistant. Panels made up of materials like double-hardened acrylic PUR resins provide extremely effective weather protection, making it suitable for long lasting balconies and faade claddings.
• On the contrary, interior cladding materials differ in some of their properties such as abrasion resistance, hygiene, bending resistance etc. The criteria for choosing interior materials are more specific to an internal environment which is not exposed to harsh external conditions.

On choosing the rightwall panels, you not only add elegance to your walls, but you will be defining the character of your building.

Using the most appropriatecladding products is a sure-firesolutionto -

• Protect the building as well as the occupants from extreme weather conditions.
• Increase the mechanical strength of the building.
• Thecladding panelacts as a defence shield against air and chemical pollution.
• Less maintenance -High-qualitymaterials are beneficial in the long run as they require less maintenance, and the upkeep doesn't cost much time, effort or money.
  Choosing the right material is just as important as the quality of the material. For instance, plastic cladding is best suited for interior walls owing to its durability and easy maintenance. The best place to use plastic is in theliving room,for feature walls,decowall, kitchen wall or bathrooms.
  Another example is to use high-pressurelaminatesforexteriorwall claddingas they are easy to install and fit seamlessly.
• Ensure building insulation at all times. A properwall claddingdesignensures that internal temperature is maintained at the optimum level and provides natural ventilation.

Right building material and appropriate installation is the key tosustainability.

In modern times, every building should focus onsustainabilityand energy efficiency.

• One such sustainable technology used in facades of most modern buildings is the Double Skin Faade System. It could be a vital system in the future of sustainable construction that can optimize excess heat and light coming into the building.

• The Rear Ventilated Facade System is yet another sustainable cladding option that helps reduce power consumption and improves the thermal comfort of the occupants.It acts as a Rain ScreenFacade System that enhances building protection and improves facadefunctionalityby draining rain water from the wall during monsoons.

  Additionally, products and materials should be derived from sustainable sources so that they do not release harmful gases during their use and towards the end of their shelf life. Also, it should be disposable without any harmful or long-lasting effects on the environment.

  The cladding materials and systems are expected to carry out a number of functions and perform in a variety of ways, such as structural integrity, durability, weather resistance, acoustic insulation, thermal insulation, safety and security barriers and more. A thorough assessment of the durability of the materials need to be done to ensure the materials do not compromise on the performance requirements of the building.

  Every architectural design must contribute to the environment. Especially for smart cities, there is an imperative need to design cladding that can abide by the city's overall planning.

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