What Is Cladding?
After the disastrous fire at Grenfell Tower in London in 2017, cladding on multi-occupancy buildings has never been far from the news. It has developed a stigma that impacts property owners, mortgage companies, and surveyors.
However, cladding can be useful because of the benefits it provides as a weather shield and effective insulator.
This article considers the advantages of cladding in modern construction and the new regulatory environment that surrounds these products.
Cladding Definition and Core Functions
Cladding is a non-load-bearing material attached to the outside of a building. It serves several purposes, but there are two principal benefits.
The first is that it improves insulation and thermal regulation by providing a weather shield, protecting the façade of a building from damage from rain, wind, and sun.
The second is to alter aesthetics and create a more visually pleasing exterior.
It also acts as a sound barrier, reducing noise pollution in urban areas.
Most Common Cladding Types
Cladding can be made from different materials. Typical considerations when choosing a product are budget, building design, purpose, maintenance, and, of course, compliance. Here are some different types.
Fibre Cement
Fibre cement panels are attractive because they’re low-maintenance, weather-resistant, and fire and pest-resistant.
Fibre cement is also popular because it mimics the appearance of wood or stone without the cost and maintenance of either.
Brick and Stone
Traditional materials such as brick and stone remain popular choices. They create a timeless look, blending buildings with their surroundings. Insulation levels are impressive, longevity is good, and maintenance requirements are low.
Metal
Typically, metal (steel or aluminium) cladding is more expensive but creates a contemporary finish on buildings, with a sleek appearance that offers high levels of durability.
Metal products are surprisingly lightweight and can be treated with chemicals to alter/enhance their appearance and extend longevity.
Wood
Wood has been used for centuries to clad buildings. It provides a soft look with the options of different colours and stains to match the surrounding aesthetic. However, wood does require regular maintenance.
Vinyl
Vinyl cladding is versatile and cost-effective, acting as an effective weather shield as well as providing aesthetic improvements.
Made from polyvinyl chloride (PVC) resin, it’s typically styled to mimic traditional alternatives like stone or wood, without the upfront cost or maintenance requirements of these materials.
Vinyl often offers a better sustainability profile than other options, and may be energy-efficient in production and fully recyclable. However, durability and lifespan may be shorter.
Composite Cladding
Composite cladding is made from a blend of recycled wood fibres and plastics and is low-maintenance and durable. Composite products deliver a long-lasting solution for a building exterior, with good insulation levels, weather, and rot-resistance.
Performance, Safety, and Compliance in Cladding
Performance is a key factor in determining the right product to buy to optimise thermal regulation and reduce energy consumption. Cladding is a vital element in the desirability, operation, and profitability of residential and commercial buildings.
However, just as important are the safety factors. Exterior wall products on new builds and on existing structures must comply with current building regulations and fire safety standards.
Regulatory Considerations
Following the Grenfell Tower tragedy, the law changed with the introduction of the Building (Amendment) Regulations 2018. These regulations ban the use of combustible materials in or on the external walls of high-rise, multi-occupancy residential buildings.
For some buildings, their cladding became illegal overnight, resulting in protracted legal disputes about responsibility and who would bear the cost burden of remediation.
The result was often that no-one acted, trapping residents who could not sell or re-mortgage properties and exposing them to increased risks.
In July 2023, the government launched the Cladding Safety Scheme (CSS). The CSS is part of the Building Remediation Portfolio, which has broad-ranging objectives to ensure building residents are safe from fire risks caused by unsafe construction products.
The scheme covers the cost of remediation on building exteriors over 11 metres in height. Building owners can apply to the scheme via a Building Remediation Hub.
New buildings must comply with the latest regulations, as must projects that add cladding to existing structures. Building owners and managers must conduct regular risk assessments of external wall coverings to ensure integrity and ongoing compliance.
Installation Approaches: How Cladding is Attached and Ventilated
Cladding is typically installed over a framework of battens or furring strips, creating an air gap between the envelope and the external façade of the building.
This cavity is also called a moisture or ventilation gap and prevents moisture from becoming trapped between the cladding and the wall, causing damage to the building’s structure.
Air flow helps to prevent the build-up of moisture, preventing mould growth and wood rot. It’s also crucial in maintaining energy efficiency as part of thermal regulation.
Rain screen cladding is a modern product that creates an airtight layer with a ventilated cavity that allows water to drain out. Air can circulate while moisture is removed, protecting the building’s structure.
Proper professional and certified installation is vital to avoid creating cavities or voids that aren’t properly sealed. These spaces are hazardous in the event of fire, becoming active fire channels, encouraging flames and smoke to spread between the wall and the cladding.
Lifecycle, Sustainability, and Cost Considerations
Sustainability and Recyclability
External cladding is an excellent way to improve a building’s thermal regulation and energy efficiency.
There is also the option to support sustainability by choosing products manufactured with a lower environmental impact and/or cladding that is recyclable at the end of its life, while still offering compliance with modern safety standards.
However, sustainability comes at a price and may result in a higher initial cost.
Costs and Lifecycle Value
Cladding has a price spectrum, with vinyl products tending to be the most economical and styled to mimic more expensive materials. Hardwood and zinc attract premium prices, and composites sit somewhere in between.
A more expensive product may have a longer lifespan, delivering better value over the longer term. Care and maintenance are relevant to longevity. However, some cladding products have shorter lives, no matter how well you care for them.
Modern Cladding as an Envelope Strategy
Cladding still holds a vital place in modern building construction.
The insulation and energy efficiency benefits of enveloping a building are indisputable, plus it can create a stylish design aesthetic to contrast or blend in with surrounding landscapes.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is Cladding in a House?
Cladding may be used inside homes to protect internal walls and upgrade the appearance. Slatted wood products are a stylish alternative to plain painted or wallpapered walls. Interior stone cladding makes a real statement in contemporary or period homes and is often used to create a feature wall or highlight an architectural characteristic.
Is Cladding Illegal in England?
Cladding is illegal in England if it’s made of combustible materials and used for buildings over 18 meters high. There are also restrictions on residential buildings over 11 meters. Combustible materials include wood and Aluminium Composite Material (ACM) with an unmodified polyethylene core.
Is Cladding Good or Bad?
The right cladding can provide significant benefits for the façade of a building. It delivers enhanced appearance, insulation, and noise protection, improving lifestyle and lowering energy consumption. It’s vital that cladding complies with current fire safety standards. Combustible products on high-rise blocks are a bad thing and are illegal.
Ready to Navigate Cladding Challenges with Helix Law?
Cladding remains a hugely important part of the design and management of multi-occupancy buildings. However, since the Grenfell Tower fire, regulations have rightly changed and this has placed a significant burden on developers and property managers.
It’s vital to stay on the right side of the law, whether you’re designing a new build, adding cladding to an existing block, or replacing illegal products.
The experienced team of construction lawyers at Helix Law can help navigate all these challenges, whether you’re an owner, developer, or resident worried about the safety and value of your building. Talk to us today.
