Examples of cladding include the following:

• Brick Cladding: Brick cladding involves applying brick tiles or veneers to the exterior or interior walls of a building.

• Wall Cladding: This refers to creating a curtain wall system using any material to cover and protect the exterior or interior walls of a building.

• Timber Cladding: Timber cladding involves using wood panels or boards to cover the exterior or interior walls of a building.

• Glass Cladding: Glass cladding involves the use of glass panels or sheets to cover building exteriors or interiors. 

• Wooden Cladding: Wooden cladding is similar to timber cladding and involves using wood panels or boards to cover walls.

• Stainless Steel Cladding: Stainless steel cladding entails covering building surfaces with stainless steel lightweight panels or sheets.

• Stone Cladding: Stone cladding involves attaching natural or artificial stone panels to building exteriors or interiors.

• Aluminium Cladding: Aluminium cladding involves covering building surfaces with aluminium panels or sheets.

• Scyon Cladding: Scyon cladding refers to a type of cladding made from fibre cement composite material.

• Porcelain Tile Cladding: Porcelain tile cladding involves applying porcelain tiles to building exteriors or interiors.

Cladding is generally beneficial for buildings. Specifically, claddings made from composite materials offer several advantages, such as improved thermal insulation and enhanced protection for exterior walls against extreme weather conditions. The water-resistant properties of composite cladding help prevent excess moisture and condensation from being absorbed, which contributes to the durability and maintenance of the building's structure. In summary, cladding is advantageous as it enhances the functionality and resilience of exterior walls.

‍Cladding offers numerous benefits to buildings, both aesthetically and functionally.

Let’s take a closer look at some of these advantages:

• Protection: One of the primary benefits of cladding is its ability to provide an extra layer of protection to a property. It enhances the structural integrity of buildings and shields them from external elements such as wind, rain, and temperature fluctuations.
• Structural Support: Cladding can provide additional structural support to the building, reinforcing walls and improving their load-bearing capacity.

• Low Maintenance: Many cladding materials require minimal maintenance, reducing the time and effort spent on upkeep. UPVC cladding, for example, is known for its low maintenance requirements, saving building owners both time and money.

• Aesthetic Appeal: Cladding can dramatically transform the appearance of a building, enhancing its curb appeal and market value. With a wide range of colours, finishes, and styles available, you can choose a cladding material that suits your desired aesthetic.

• Energy Efficiency: Certain cladding materials, like insulated metal panels or composite panels, offer excellent thermal insulation properties. This helps regulate the temperature inside the building, reducing energy consumption and lowering utility costs.

• Durability: Cladding materials are designed to withstand the test of time and resist wear and tear. Stone cladding, for example, is known for its durability and ability to maintain its natural colour and lustre for many years.

• Fire Resistance: Some cladding materials, such as fire-resistant glass or non-combustible metal panels, provide an additional layer of fire protection to buildings. This is especially important in high-rise structures where fire safety is a top priority.

‍Cladding, while offering numerous benefits such as improving aesthetics, enhancing insulation, and protecting the underlying structure, also comes with the following disadvantages:

• Limited Heat Resistance: Some cladding materials, like UPVC, are not as heat-resistant as others. In hot and humid climates, this lack of heat resistance can pose challenges and potentially lead to discomfort inside the building.
• Poor Wind Resistance: While claddings generally have a tough resistance to wind, some reports suggest that modern claddings may fail to withstand strong wind. This can be an issue of concern in areas prone to high winds, as it may result in damage to the cladding, compromising the structural integrity of the building.

Cladding can present a fire risk, especially when made from combustible materials. When these materials catch fire, they can help spread both smoke and flames, increasing the likelihood of the fire reaching nearby areas, floors, or rooms within a building. 

Timber cladding is the most popular cladding type, particularly for buildings focused on sustainability. This form of cladding is favoured due to its organic and renewable nature. Additionally, it is considered effectively carbon neutral, as timber continues to absorb and store carbon dioxide even after being fitted onto a building.

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The type of cladding that is banned is aluminum composite panels with an unmodified polyethylene core; this ban applies to all buildings of any height. The decision to ban these materials was made by the UK government in 2022. Data demonstrating the danger of polyethylene-cored cladding has been available to the government as far back as 2002.