Rather than tear down a building just because it is starting to look old, many construction companies are getting into retrofitting and using cladding. This will create the look of a brand new building, but the work is done at a fraction of the cost to demolish the old building and put up a new one. In addition to helping clients save money, commercial cladding offers numerous other benefits, including adding to the life of a building, making the building look better, and waterproofing, just to name a few.
Types of Cladding for Commercial Buildings
There are several types of cladding that is used for commercial buildings. If the retrofit is for an industrial project, composite panels are a good option. The panels are fast and easy to install, and therefore economical. If you are looking for great acoustics in your building, these panels are ideal, and they can greatly help to improve water and air tightness. Knowing that the materials used in the project are safe is of the utmost importance, and you can be sure that cladding panels are fire-resistant. Other types of cladding that can be used for retrofitting include:
Cement Cladding
Cement is a material that is commonly used for cladding, for several reasons. For starters, it is strong and durable, so it is going to stand up to a lot of impact, including that from severe weather conditions. It is also impervious to pollution, and is not going to end up rotting. Building owners do not have to worry about mold growing on the cement commercial cladding, and there is very little maintenance involved after the retrofit. The cement is available in a number of colours, and is easy to install.
Rain Screen Panels
Another option is to use rain screen cladding panels. These are generally connected to a support that is secured to the wall of the building being retrofitted, so that there is a space between the wall and the cladding. Then, insulation is installed. This type of cladding is resistant to harsh weather, and there is less risk of having condensation inside the cavity wall.
Built-Up Cladding
A built-up cladding system is generally made from aluminum or steel that has been pre-finished, and is available in numerous colours. With this type of cladding, acoustics can be tweaked to meet the requirements of clients, and there are fire wall varieties available. With this type of commercial cladding, the slabs are semi-rigid, which means that there will be no sagging and there will be plenty of insulation.
Vinyl Cladding
One of the least expensive types of commercial cladding is created using vinyl. In addition to being inexpensive, vinyl cladding is also easier to install than other types of cladding. It will look great for many years to come due to its scratch-resistance, and the vinyl is a great insulating material. The only major drawback is that vinyl can crack under extreme hot or cold conditions.
These are just a few of the materials used for cladding. Others include brick, wood, stone, stucco, and metal. Ultimately, the type of cladding used will depend on the client’s needs and budget.