Activity

Each home needs to be repaired, especially after bad weather. To make the home habitable, prevent damage, enhance its beauty, and sell it, one must repair it. The best method for a quick makeover is to use cladding on the exterior walls. Cladding can be used as an extra covering for plaster or bricks, which are prone to damage due to weather conditions such as rain or snowfall. These building materials can be protected from damage by cladding boards. uPVC cladding, also called rigid cladding, is a popular building material in the UK and the US. It has almost become a standard in the construction sector over other components, such as metal, wooden or brick cladding, that were traditionally used. Read more now on A1 Cladding

The Advantages of uPVC Cladding

uPVC cladding has many advantages over other cladding options on the market.

Unplasticised Poly Vinyl Chloride is a high-quality building material that is produced using a slow manufacturing process. It produces durable plastic boards. uPVC cladding is made up of dense plastic components and can be used for many years without major repairs.

uPVC cladding is thermally insulated. Unlike metal or wooden cladding, a uPVC cladding helps to preserve heat in the room. It reduces the energy costs for heating or cooling the room.

Being lightweight, it is easier to handle and does not load your building with excessive weight. Using uPVC cladding on the exterior of a building is possible without putting too much pressure on the foundation. While using wooden, concrete or metal cladding, one has to check the load threshold of the foundation to eliminate possible collapse.

uPVC cladding has soundproofing properties. Soundproofing properties depend on the density of the uPVC material. The higher the density, the better protection from external noise. Due to this property, it is an ideal building material for hospitals, libraries, museums and schools.

It is impact-resistant. Consequently, uPVC cladding is able to withstand strong winds and heavy rains without causing any damage. When buying uPVC building material make sure you look at impact resistance options.

Contrary to popular notion, uPVC cladding is not a fire catalyser. Because it has a high melting point, it can be used to prevent fire spreading to other areas. Also, it does not lead to the formation of fire droplets while burning. High quality uPVC building materials have high levels of chlorine, which acts as a fire retardant.

How do you install uPVC Cladding?

Installing uPVC cladding is very simple and can be done without hiring experts. There are two types available on the market: V joint cladding or shiplap cladding. Both types are manufactured from the same raw material and have similar properties. The only difference lies in the shape and form of the finished product. Installing the cladding involves attaching it to a wooden frame by nailing them. Then, cover it with a top layer to achieve high quality finished surfaces. However, if you want to install cladding on a large area, it is better to call in experts. With years of experience, they can arrange different cladding pieces into a perfect-fit. It is impossible to enjoy its thermal insulation and soundproofing properties without proper installation.

Look for industry standards that the British Board of Agrement (BBA) recommends before you buy uPVC cladding in Britain. Look for reputable uPVC producers approved by the BBA. CSTB (French Scientific and Technical Centre for Building) also certifies uPVC fascias, soffits, cladding and other roofing materials. To make an informed decision, ensure that the product carries BSI’s kitemark.