Why Vinyl Cladding Is a Popular Alternative to Timber Cladding

As your house protects your family and possessions from harsh weather conditions, it's the building's envelope that bears the brunt of daily exposure to the elements. Cladding system installation is critical to ensure your home's exterior is protected from the various elements that can ruin the structure. House cladding achieves this by serving as a protective 'skin' on the exterior of your home.

Timber is the traditional choice of cladding material for homes. It is locally available, looks fantastic, and helps to insulate homes against thermal inefficiencies. With all its benefits, timber cladding has drawbacks, too. Being a natural material, timber can warp, splinter, rot, and get eaten by cellulose-loving insects. To help overcome these drawbacks, many non-wood cladding materials have been introduced into the construction market, with vinyl cladding being among the most popular alternatives to timber.

Continue reading to discover the top advantages of vinyl cladding.

Vinyl cladding is a budget-friendly choice

Although a tried and tested option for homes, timber cladding can be on the expensive side, depending on your budget. Vinyl cladding can be a much cheaper wood-alternative if you're concerned about the costs.

Vinyl cladding can mimic the look and feel of real wood

The natural, authentic look of real wood makes it an appealing cladding choice for many people. You'll have to pay top dollar to have exotic wood cladding materials like oak and cedar used on your home.

You can get vinyl cladding that gives you the appearance and texture of natural wood grain at a fraction of the cost you'd pay for a timber cladding system. Vinyl cladding systems can also be made to provide the appearance and beauty of natural stone and brick masonry, without the higher price tag.

Vinyl cladding is a low-maintenance option

Since it's made of plastic material, vinyl cladding is unaffected by most of the elements that can damage timber cladding systems. Vinyl is resistant to damage due to splintering, warping, rotting, and insect attacks. As a result, it retains its original look longer without the long-term maintenance of wood.

Choosing between timber and vinyl cladding is a common quandary for homeowners. The truth is there's no best solution for all situations because every homeowner's situation is different. Timber cladding is the real deal if you're not overly concerned about its high upfront and long-term maintenance costs. But if you're on a tight budget, vinyl cladding can work well, too.