Cladding (construction)

<p>Cladding is the application of one material over another to provide a skin or layer. In <a href="/facts/Construction/58eqDhy9">construction</a>, cladding is used to provide a degree of <a href="/facts/Thermal_insulation/j7tVT4uv">thermal insulation</a> and <a href="/facts/Weather_resistance/uSYGlv0H">weather resistance</a>, and to improve the appearance of buildings. Cladding can be made of any of a wide range of materials including wood, metal, brick, <a href="/facts/Vinyl_group/SyXSgVnw">vinyl</a>, and composite materials that can include aluminium, wood, blends of cement and recycled <a href="/facts/Polystyrene/dfIVntty">polystyrene</a>, wheat/rice straw fibres. <a href="/facts/Rainscreen/0IvYMayp">Rainscreen cladding</a> is a form of weather cladding designed to protect against the elements, but also offers thermal insulation. The cladding does not itself need to be <a href="/facts/Waterproof/xAmUoTUG">waterproof</a>, merely a control element: it may serve only to direct water or wind safely away in order to control <a href="/facts/Surface_runoff/zPxoaA0D">run-off</a> and prevent its infiltration into the building structure. Cladding may also be a <a href="/facts/Noise_control/dz0hXyqd">control element for noise</a>, either entering or escaping. Cladding can become a fire risk by design or material.
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Cladding (construction) open-in-new

Cladding (construction)