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Posted: 7th October 2024 | Author: Adam Brown | Category: Cladding
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Adding cladding to your home can be a great way to change its overall appearance and update it to suit your preferences, but the planning process for such a project can bring up a lot of questions. While some have straightforward ‘yes’ or ‘no’ answers, such as whether or not you need to acquire planning permission before adding cladding to your property, other questions may be more dependent on more subjective considerations - such as what kind of cladding to install.
Below, we look into the benefits, drawbacks and definition of rainscreen cladding.
Rainscreen is a term used to describe cladding that, as well as any aesthetic benefits, helps to protect an exterior wall against the elements. It does this by creating a second skin on the wall of a building with a ventilated cavity between the cladding and the external wall. In a very literal sense, the layer of cladding acts as a screen that prevents rain or snow from hitting the external walls of the building - as well as providing protection against other forms of weather.
In contrast, some other forms of cladding involve fixing the panels directly to the building structure, meaning there is no cavity between the two surfaces. Knowing the advantages and disadvantages of each type of cladding can help you to understand which is the right choice for your project.
As with any choice of building materials, there are upsides and downsides to choosing rainscreen cladding. Not only that, but there are things to be aware of when you’re browsing for components and contractors so you can be sure you’re choosing the very best options.
In this case, the clue really is in the name. As briefly mentioned earlier, one of the main benefits of rainscreen cladding is that it provides a rainscreen to protect the building’s external walls from receiving the full force of the elements. It’s important to note that that doesn’t only apply to wet weather like rain or snow. Rainscreen cladding can also provide a shield against UV light, as well as acting as a physical barrier to protect the walls against leaves, debris and dirt that might be blowing around in the wind.
Despite the name, rainscreen cladding isn’t entirely watertight, so it won’t wholly prevent any rainwater from reaching your external walls. Its purpose is more to take the brunt of the weather than to prevent it ever touching the masonry. However, your external walls should be airtight and watertight anyway, so there shouldn’t be any risk of water ingress. If they’re not, that’s a bigger problem that cladding can’t solve.
Another key benefit of rainscreen cladding that’s made possible by its inclusion of a ventilated cavity is insulation. When a cavity is formed between the cladding and the wall, that pocket of air helps to improve a building’s thermal performance in much the same way a cavity wall does in the building itself. To increase the impact of that benefit, you can have a partially filled cavity where insulating materials are used to make the building even more energy efficient - which is better both for the environment and for your budget.
Though it might sound counterintuitive when we’ve just been discussing how rainscreen cladding can keep your home warmer, it can also improve the ventilation of your property. Forms of cladding that fix directly onto the external walls without a cavity in between can have the downside that water gets trapped, resulting in potential damp and mould problems inside the building.
Instead, the cavity formed as part of rainscreen cladding installation means that there can be a continuous flow of air behind the cladding panels, helping to dry out any residual dampness and prevent the buildup of moisture. In turn, this increases the longevity of the building itself, and may reduce the need for costly repairs or renovations on the interior.
Last but not least, rainscreen cladding has an obvious impact on the aesthetic value of the building - and the great thing about it is that you can choose from a huge variety of styles and designs to achieve the look you want. It also requires little to no maintenance, so you won’t have to spend all your time cleaning it up to retain that stylish new look. And if you come to sell your property, an attractive cladded building could be worth more.
Adding rainscreen cladding to your property is almost always a good idea - but there are a few things you should take into consideration before starting work.
In the vast majority of cases, adding rainscreen cladding to a commercial or residential building won’t pose a significant fire risk - but things can go wrong if you use an untrustworthy contractor or choose cladding materials that aren’t up to scratch. Doing your due diligence during the hiring and buying process, however, can help to ensure that everything is as it should be.
If your external walls are in need of repair or rebuilding for structural reasons, then it’s not advisable to install cladding. Cladding provides no structural support whatsoever, and in fact will add extra strain to any weakening walls. For walls in need of additional structural support, more invasive construction works will need to take place.
Lastly, one thing to consider before deciding on rainscreen cladding is the space available around your external walls. Cladding that doesn’t include a cavity will naturally sit closer to the wall than rainscreen cladding, so it’s worth considering your options to understand what is best. You may also need to consider ease of access for contractors to install the cladding, particularly if your property is located close to another.
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The Author: Adam Brown
With a background as a Mechanical Engineer, I started Nationwide Supplies alongside my brother with a vision to modernise what seemed a stuck-in-its-ways industry in the builders merchant sector. Since 2011 it has been my goal to source quality products at the correct prices to be able to offer a saving to customers along with high quality customer service which offers quick delivery and superior technical knowledge in the industry.
