What is External Cladding

External cladding is one of the most important elements in architectural design.
It defines the look and feel of exterior spaces and significantly affects a building’s performance.
Modinex is a specialty manufacturer and supplier of architectural cladding products.
If you’ve been wondering what external cladding is, Modinex has compiled this guide to assist.

Understanding Cladding

Cladding also forms an air cavity between the cladding material and the building’s structure.

This air cavity is crucial for thermal insulation and allows air flow within the walls, which prevents mould and rot.

What is the Purpose of Exterior Cladding?

While exterior cladding comes in many formats, most products serve the same purpose. Here are the functional purposes of exterior cladding:

Weatherproofing

The outside of a building experiences sun, storms, pests, dust and more. Cladding protects structural materials from damage due to moisture and weather.

Thermal Insulation

Cladding is part of a building’s insulation schedule. The cladding layer creates an air gap and protects insulation materials from moisture and UV damage.

Sound Insulation

Building facades can reflect, absorb and transmit sound. If you live in a noisy area, exterior cladding can control sound and make your home comfortable.

Aesthetic Appeal

Exterior cladding is the appearance layer, so it’s used to enhance the aesthetic of buildings. Cladding is often a key feature in architectural projects.

 

Common Types of Exterior Cladding

There are dozens of materials commonly used for cladding in modern buildings.
This is not an exhaustive list, but it includes some of the most popular options for residential and commercial projects.

Always House

Timber Cladding

David Brownlow Theatre

Fibre Cement Cladding

Fisher Street House

Aluminium Cladding

Affordability $
Maintenance Low
Durability Good
Mechanical Performance Fair

Mittagong Residence

Brick and Stone Cladding

Composite Cladding

What to Consider When Choosing Exterior Cladding

1. Architectural Design

Exterior cladding is a building’s skin. It’s your first impression and biggest opportunity to make a statement. There are now cladding products to suit any aesthetic you have in mind. Consider the design of your building, how the exterior cladding interacts with interior elements, and how your material choice affects . . .

2. Environmental and Geographic Factors

Each building site poses a unique challenge. Not only do building designs differ, but each project is exposed to different weather and geographic conditions. These conditions can have a major impact on your choice of cladding and its long-term performance. When designing a building, consider geographic factors like: Local building . . .

3. Maintenance Requirements

Some types of cladding require more maintenance than others. While all buildings can benefit from regular cleaning, cladding materials such as timber may require additional care. This also has an impact on where cladding materials are placed. Cladding that needs regular cleaning or recoating is not suitable for hard-to-reach applications . . .

4. Project Budget

The materials used in your facade can represent a large proportion of the project cost. While the upfront expense is important, cladding also has ongoing costs in maintenance, repair and replacement. Make sure you consider the cost efficiency of your chosen cladding material across the life of the product. For . . .

5. Sustainability Requirements

Does your project have sustainability targets or requirements? Some projects are required to meet certain environmental standards. Your choice of cladding has a dramatic effect on building performance, use of materials, recyclability and power consumption. For example, commercial buildings often incorporate aluminium cladding because it offers excellent thermal insulation. It . . .

6. Mechanical Performance

Exterior cladding must provide protection against moisture. In some cases, it may also need to resist UV rays, pests, bushfire and sound transmission. Each cladding material provides its own degree of mechanical performance. Consider your local building requirements and the unique challenges of your project (e.g. prolonged sun exposure) before . . .

7. Weight

The weight of cladding materials can be a major factor, particularly for highrise and commercial projects. When you’re constructing a multi-storey building, heavy cladding materials place excessive strain on the building’s facade. We quote the weight of cladding materials in kilograms per square metre. Aluminium is often the lightest option, . . .

Choose the Perfect Exterior Cladding With Modinex

Cladding is the finishing touch to your design. It defines the lines and shape of a structure, and it provides functional protection against Australia’s harsh environment.

If you are embarking on a design project and need the perfect exterior cladding, Modinex has a solution.

Modinex supplies architecturally designed exterior cladding to clients across Australia.

We support residential, commercial and industrial projects with a range of cladding products that are suitable for anything you have in mind.

Our products include timber, aluminium, fibre cement and composite cladding that is designed and manufactured in our Australian facility.

Our catalogue can help you achieve any architectural vision, or we can manufacture custom cladding to suit your project perfectly.

Explore our range online today, or contact us to learn more about our timber cladding and custom profiles.

Article By   Joel Leitch

| 11 November 2024

Joel Leitch

Project Consultant

Joel is an integral team member of NSW projects division with over a decade as a consultant to architects and builders. With extensive experience as a head of projects, Joel Leitch combines deep knowledge of natural timber, aluminium, and concrete to provide innovative and inspiring design solutions.