Using architectural cladding is not a new concept; however, the past decade or so has seen a dramatic acceleration in its evolution. Today, cladding is so much more than simply a cosmetic addition to a structure, and the importance of performance and using the right non-combustible cladding material has never been more recognised.
Key Insights
- Cladding is critical to modern construction – it protects, insulates, and improves the appearance of buildings in Australia and worldwide.
- Cladding has been used by humans since antiquity, when stone, clay brick, and timber were used to protect building exteriors from weather and improve the internal temperature.
- The Industrial Revolution saw a dramatic evolution in cladding with prefabricated metal sheeting and other materials produced for cladding purposes.
- Modern cladding materials must satisfy safety, thermal, and aesthetic requirements. DtS non-combustible aluminium cladding, for example, is recyclable, lightweight, corrosion-resistant, and most importantly, a safer option.
What is Cladding?
Architectural or construction cladding is an external layer or “skin” applied to the outside of a building. It forms a non-load-bearing layer of protection and insulation that is also visually appealing.
Cladding may be made from a diverse range of materials, from metal to brick, stone to ceramic tile, or timber to non-combustible composite panels. The right cladding for any building will depend on its unique location, requirements, use, and design intent.
A Brief History of Cladding
- Cladding has been used since antiquity. Ancient civilisations applied stone, mud, and timber to their buildings to offer protection against wind, rain, sun, heat, humidity, cold, and snow.
- Cladding types used have historically been informed by the local availability of materials. People in forested regions like Northern Europe and Scandinavia used timber; those in rocky landscapes like Mesopotamia favoured stone; people in clay-rich regions (e.g. ancient Rome) clad with brick and stucco (a mixture of sand, lime, and cement).
- The ancient Egyptians and Mesopotamians (modern-day Iraq) used stone slabs and sun-dried bricks to shield structures from heat, rain, and wind.
- Celtic and Viking tribes used timber (which was locally abundant) in the form of overlapping boards or vertical planks placed on the exterior of buildings to reduce the ingress of moisture and extend the durability of these structures.
- By the Middle Ages, wattle and daub was used on building exteriors all over Europe. This was a sticky mixture of clay, soil, and straw combined with woven wooden strips. Timber planks and lime render were also applied to some buildings to enhance weather resistance, thermal insulation, and strength.
- During the Tudor era in England (1485-1603), houses of timber frame and infilled panels were characteristic. These panels were either plastered or decoratively clad with wood, offering both protection and beauty to buildings.
- Construction practices improved dramatically in the 1700s and 1800s thanks to the Industrial Revolution (and, to a local extent, influenced by the Great Fire of London in 1666). Building materials became more affordable and more widely available, and began to include cast iron and pre-fabricated panels.
- Corrugated steel was patented for the first time in the 1820s. These light, fire-resistant sheets were easily transported, and they became popular for use in Britain and its colonies for use on industrial buildings, factories, public buildings, and in remote areas.
- In the 1900s, innovation and aesthetics became more of a consideration, and cladding materials soon included copper, aluminium, steel, glass, and precast concrete panelling.
- Scandinavians founded rainscreen cladding in the 1970s, whereby cladding systems were designed to enable the circulation of air and drainage of water.
- The use of combustible cladding, which ignites quickly and burns easily, was widespread from the 1980s. Unfortunate materials used included asbestos-cement panels and composite panels built with aluminium and a combustible core. Concerns about its use were raised as early as the 1990s by the Australian CSIRO and Canadian researchers. Since 2018, its use in new buildings and renovations has been banned in many places globally, including in Australia.
- In the 2020s, cladding systems continue to evolve. From stone veneers to ceramic tiles, powder-coated aluminium panels to composite boards, cladding is now designed to be non-combustible, sustainable, easy to install, and visually sophisticated.
- Modern and emerging cladding materials must satisfy safety, thermal, and aesthetic requirements, and products like DtS non-combustible aluminium cladding are recyclable, lightweight, corrosion-resistant, and most importantly, a safer option.
The Right Cladding for Your Project
The functional role any cladding will play will underpin which type is most appropriate. It primarily serves as a protective barrier against wind, rain, fluctuating temperatures, and even fire hazards when the appropriate DtS non-combustible cladding product is used. The right choice of cladding will:
- Protect against weather extremes
- Reduce water ingress into a building structure
- Improve thermal insulation
- Provide an effective defence against corrosion, pollution, and exposure to salty air
- Offer a level of protection in the event of a fire
Cladding also dictates the visual impact of a building, enabling architects to achieve anything from a classic or rustic look to a sleek and modern aesthetic. The choice of cladding material and style can help make a building seamlessly blend with its surrounding environment or boldly stand out.
Whether used for a single-occupancy residential structure, a residential high-rise, a commercial building, a hospital, or in an industrial setting, architectural cladding performs better than ever before, and it will continue to evolve to meet the needs and preferences of modern life.
Whatever type you choose, from stone to DtS non-combustible aluminium cladding, consider its intended location, performance, longevity, and style when making your selection – and talk to the experts for valuable guidance.