Choose From Several Metal Wall Cladding Materials For An Aesthetic And Durable Finish

By Author: Lewis Benjamin
Total Articles: 33
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Your home, office, workshop, or manufacturing facility requires wall cladding that not only scores high on aesthetics, but is also durable enough to last for decades. You should seriously consider metal wall cladding since this form of cladding is available in various materials and possesses several advantages over other traditional cladding materials.

Advantages of Metal Cladding

Metal for cladding makes an excellent choice since it is extremely strong and durable. It also has an ideal weight-to-strength ratio which makes for a light-yet-strong cladding. This form of cladding can easily handle harsh weather and gale-force winds that form part of the weather system in Canada. Metal cladding offers easy installation on several types of existing walls made out of wood, concrete, brick, stucco, and even over existing metal wall cladding.

Different Metal Wall Cladding Materials

There are usually two commonly used materials in metal cladding. The first is sheet metal cladding that is available with zinc coating popularly known as galvanized steel and sheet metal cladding with a zinc-iron alloy coating ...
... popularly known as galvannealed steel.

The other popular material for wall cladding is aluminum, actually 55 percent of aluminum-zinc-alloy, which is coated using the hot dip process. As per Canadian construction rules, the minimum thickness of the steel used for cladding as well as flashings must be 0.46 mm.

In case of aluminum cladding, you can opt for flat cladding or plate panel cladding systems based on whether the total area covered is small or large respectively. Newer manufacturing techniques and extrusion methods ensure aluminum cladding has strength levels that are equal to sheet metal wall cladding.

If you need a structural sheet metal cladding system that will be subject to structural load then you need to opt for thicker metal cladding that is certified to handle structural load. For walls that are not subject to any loads, you can use metal cladding that does not need to meet those standards, but is yet manufactured from high quality steel and alloys.

Most metal wall cladding systems that you find today possess prefinished coatings in different colors and finishes. These coatings include an organic top coat that prevents water as well as oxygen from making contact with the steel sheet, which in turn prevents rusting. The result is baked paint that resists fading and corrosion for decades while providing excellent aesthetics to the walls of your house, office, or factory.

Special Finishes and Materials for Wall Cladding

In addition to solid and metallic colors, you will also find wall cladding in special finishes that mimic brick, wood, etc., and you can choose one that suits your tastes and also merges well with the surroundings. There are also some specialty metals used for wall claddings such as copper, zinc, and stainless steel. However, these materials are priced much higher than sheet metal and aluminum cladding.

So, if you need to adorn the walls of your home or commercial establishment with strong and durable wall cladding, then you certainly have a wide choice of materials and finishes at hand. You must make sure you get expert guidance from a licensed contractor as well as look at all available materials before choosing the right metal wall cladding for your project.

About The Author-
Lewis Benjamin is a self motivated, energetic individual. He enjoys challenging himself and experiencing new things. He has travelled a lot since his childhood and is fascinated with various types of housing designs and architectures. In this article, he highlights different types of wall cladding and metal wall cladding systems.