If you want to give the outside of your home a fresh new look, then you may wish to consider replacing or even adding cladding to your home’s exterior. The addition of cladding not only has aesthetic value, but it also helps to protect the surface of your walls from the elements, which can be vital in extreme climates. For the DIY enthusiasts out there, it is also a job which could be tackled by a semi-skilled DIY person, and the job is not as big or complicated as you may think.
The Popular Choice
Since the 1970’s vinyl cladding, which may also be known as vinyl siding, has been one of the most popular choices for homes in Australia. One of the main reasons for this type of cladding’s popularity is, without a doubt, the cheap cost when compared to other alternatives. In the space of a weekend, you can change the look of your homes outside, and breathe some fresh air into your house. Whether you do this just for a change, or you wish to boost your home’s curb appeal to sell, installing cladding on your home is a worthwhile investment.
Choose Quality
When you are shopping for your cladding, you will want to make sure that you choose a quality product that is going to last for some time. Make sure that the cladding you decide on is not too thin, as thinner cladding will be less durable and can get damaged. You may find that hail can easily damage some of the thinnest types; and in extreme heat, the thin cladding can even melt! It is worth your investment in choosing the best quality cladding, rather than the cheapest.
A Quality Installation
Although someone with DIY experience can do the job of installing the cladding, if you are not confident you may wish to have an expert install it for you. If you do not pay attention to detail and do a top notch job, then you could find you have problems later down the line. You will want to choose a decent material to back the cladding, and for a long time polystyrene was used, however, this is toxic in the event of a fire. It is also important that you make sure that there are no gaps between the boards when it is installed, as gaps between the boards can lead to water damage.
Some Drawbacks
There are a couple of drawbacks when choosing this type of cladding, as the sun will affect it over time. With prolonged exposure to the sun the color will fade. Depending on the exposure you may also find that the fading is uneven as some parts of the house get more sunlight than others. It will be likely that you will need to replace the cladding every 5 to 10 years, depending on its durability.
If you want to save some money, especially if you are selling your home, then vinyl cladding is the perfect choice. With only a little time, money and effort, you can have your home looking tip-top in no time at all.
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