Many houses and buildings in the Netherlands are built with bricks. Complete blocks of houses and streets are constructed from the same bricks and all have the same shape and appearance. Bricks then serve as both structural construction and façade. One way to give an existing brick house a different appearance is with facade cladding. It is also possible to build houses and buildings completely differently. Think of steel constructions such as steelframing of timber frame construction. The (non-structural) facade is then made of another material. Think for example of plastic facade cladding, wooden facade cladding or Fibre cement cladding.
This article details the pros and cons of the different types of facade cladding, so that you can make an informed choice about the type of facade cladding you wish to use.
Types of Facade Cladding
There are many different types of facade cladding besides traditional brick. We compare the most commonly used materials and systems in the Netherlands.
Overview of types of facade cladding
- Wooden cladding
- Metal cladding
- Plastic cladding
- Fibre cement cladding
- Aluminium composite cladding
- Rock wool facade cladding
- HPL – High Pressure Laminate
Wooden cladding
Wooden facade cladding has the most natural and warm appearance of all types. It is a natural product that people enjoy looking at. Furthermore, no two pieces are the same, so everything on your facade is unique. There are many different types of wood that can be used for this. The choice of wood not only determines the appearance of the facade but also its lifespan and the amount of maintenance required. Additionally, wooden facade cladding can be protected/finished with various types of stain, paint, and impregnating agents.
One disadvantage of wood is that it is vulnerable. For example, rot can occur or pests can affect the wood. Furthermore, wood has a relatively short lifespan. This can be extended with the right maintenance. However, this maintenance is labour-intensive and costly.
Advantages of wood
- Natural, warm appearance
- Easy to process
- Plenty of choice in wood type and finish
Disadvantages of wood
- Relatively short lifespan
- Maintenance-intensive
- Susceptible to rot and pests
Metal cladding
‘Metal’ cladding is a collective term for various types of materials such as stainless steel, aluminium, copper, steel and zinc. Cladding made from these metal types quickly acquire an industrial look. They, therefore, do not ‘fit’ every building or house.
These materials have a long lifespan and some types develop a patina What protects the material but also gives it a different look. Whether you find this attractive, of course, depends entirely on taste. The metal types are recyclable but are not as durable as cladding made from wood.
Advantages of metal
- Long lifespan
- Easily combined with other types of facade cladding
- Recyclable
Disadvantages of metal
- Expensive to buy
- The production process is polluting
- Vulnerable to impact
Plastic cladding
Plastic facade cladding is widely used as a material.
This type of cladding has a reputation for not looking authentic. This is particularly because a lot of plastic cladding tries to emulate the look of wood. Despite many providers making improvements, you can still quickly tell that something is made of plastic. This makes you feel less warmth and authenticity.
Vjudging plastic
- Long lifespan
- Minimal maintenance required
- Available in many types, sizes, and colours
Disadvantages of plastic
- It lacks authentic and natural appeal
- Bad for the environment
- You're locked into one system/provider
Fibre cement cladding
Fibre cement cladding It is a composite of cement, cellulose fibres and sand. It is a flexible material and non-combustible. This makes it a very safe product to clad your facade with. This is in contrast to wood and plastic, which can act as a catalyst in the event of a fire. Furthermore, it is low-maintenance, weather-resistant and resistant to mould and pests.
Fibre cement cladding is also lightweight and just as easy to install as wood. Disadvantages of this type of material are that it looks less authentic than wood (but more so than plastic) and that there can be minimal colour differences between different ‘batches’. It is therefore also advisable to purchase all materials at once.
Advantages of Fibre Cement
- Flexible and non-combustible
- Low-maintenance and weather-resistant
- Lightweight and easy to assemble
Disadvantages of Fibre Cement
- There can be a colour difference between different ‘batches’.’
- Less authentic than wood
Aluminium composite cladding
Aluminium composite cladding is better known as a sandwich panel. The panel consists of two aluminium sheets with a core of a different material. Usually, this is polyethylene (PE) or polyurethane (PU). This material is insulating and well suited for use as insulation and finishing. Furthermore, the sheets can be custom-made in the factory.
This last point is also a disadvantage. It cannot be custom-made on the construction site. Furthermore, (most) core materials used are a fire hazard. This material is generally used for commercial buildings rather than residential homes.
Advantages of aluminium composite
- Insulating
- In the factory, custom-made with CNC equipment
Disadvantages of aluminium composite
- Not to be made to measure on site
- Highly flammable nuclear materials
- Less applicable for private individuals
Rock wool facade cladding
Rock wool is made from basalt. This is a volcanic rock that is processed into fibres. Also known for its rock wool insulation mats. Rock wool facade cladding consists of this material, which is compressed with a thermosetting hardener. The rock wool fibre is obtained through extreme heat (+1500 degrees Celsius). This makes rock wool a product that requires a lot of energy to produce. The properties of rock wool mean the material is seen as non-combustible. This makes it a fire-safe material to use.
Advantages of rock wool
- Mineral wool is recyclable
- Fire safety
Disadvantages of rock wool
- High emissions during the production process
HPL – High-Pressure Laminate
HPL consists of multiple layers that are compressed together. The layers are made of paper and thermosetting resin. A great deal is possible with this material in terms of design. However, this material is naturally flammable, which does not benefit fire safety. Furthermore, it is not recyclable, meaning it can only be incinerated or dumped at the end of its life.
Advantages of high-pressure laminate
- Decoratively versatile
- Relatively inexpensive
Disadvantages of high-pressure laminate
- Not recyclable
- Highly flammable
Plenty of choice
As you can probably see, there are plenty of options to choose from. Do you prefer the natural feel of wood and are you prepared to put up with the maintenance? Or would you prefer low maintenance but an unnatural wood-effect finish? If so, opt for plastic cladding. Or are you looking for a durable product that is fire-resistant but lacks the natural look of real wood? In that case, you’ll soon find yourself considering Fibre cement cladding.
So it all comes down to personal taste, the function the material (and the building) is intended to fulfil, and the carbon footprint you wish to leave behind.
The choice of Ripstaal Group
At Ripstaal Group, we offer fibre-cement cladding. Our range consists of fibre-cement panels in a variety of patterns, colours, sizes and installation orientations (horizontal or vertical). It can also be used as a fence when combined with the Ripstaal Guarantee Post. It is therefore a versatile product whose advantages far outweigh the disadvantages.
3 variants of fibre cement cladding
Buy fibre cement cladding?
Would you like to buy our fibre cement cladding? Then search on our contact page to find your nearest Ripstaal fibre-cement cladding stockist. Would you like to stock our cladding? If so, please contact us Sales team Ok. We are happy to help you further.
For your convenience, we also have a user guide. You can here View and download.
