In terms of investment, your home is very important. So, the use of decking and cladding is an excellent option to ensure a beautiful look.
Like most homeowners, you also want to impart a striking impression from the very first view of your home. When you see a well constructed & designed home, you wonder how did they do this. This elegant design of the house is the combination of many elements like orientation, frontage, aspect, etc. However, the exterior makes the first impression.
You can genuinely increase the appeal of your house by applying cladding to your home’s facade.
What is Decking?
Decking is a building material that homeowners use to build floors or patios. You can put it on the ground and use it as a surface for activities. This means that it can be laid in the garden or on the patio.
Additionally, you can place things like tables and chairs on top, as well as host parties on the deck. The strength-to-weight ratio of the deck is quite high. This means that the composite can support the weight of standing people without collapsing.
Types Of Decking To Consider
1. Pressure-Treated Wood for Decks
Flooring made of spruce, which is impregnated with antiseptics and insecticides, is a favorite inexpensive material.
The anti-corrosion treatment previously contained arsenic, but since 2004 it uses fewer poisons such as copper, which is only a health hazard when burned.
A brown or brown pressure treated floor can usually be enhanced with staining. Pressure-impregnated wood can be used for decades but must be repaired every two years with sealers or clear stains.
2. Cedar Decking
The beauty of natural wood is unmatched. This favorite wood has been cheap and easy to use for many years, which is a good choice for DIY.
Buy a tough dark type – everything else is white and will rot in a few years. Look for “Regular Wood Heartwood,” whose heartwood is more than the cheapest “Regular Lumber.” It is expected to be repaired annually and will have a useful life of 15-20 years.
3. Redwood
Mahogany was the last word in decoration. It is expensive and now only available on the west coast. It is light, strong, and easy to use.
Choose only high-quality decorative materials, with almost no creamy white, which will be quickly damaged by these elements.
Dark heartwood is naturally resistant to corrosion. With regular maintenance, Redwood will last 15-20 years.
4. Vinyl Decking
Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) flooring is a new material that is rapidly gaining popularity as a maintenance-free material that is almost as good as flooring. PVC does not contain wood.
The high-quality honeycomb core is wrapped with a tough PVC outer shell and is backed by a 25-year warranty. Available colors are white, gray, brown, and tan.
5. Composite Decking
Wood composite flooring is made from recycled wood fiber and polyethylene, which is a beautiful material that requires little maintenance. Composite material has a variety of colors and textures, much like solid wood.
It also has design versatility – professionals have the equipment to heat wooden planks to be bent for eye-catching recessed designs.
A 25-year warranty covers premium varieties. Although maintenance costs are low, if you do not clean the wood with deck cleaners every three to four years, the wood content will increase.
6. Ipe
Ipe is a popular hardwood in South America. It is beautiful, naturally resistant to decay, and durable. It is also hard, which makes installation very time-consuming. To maintain its rich appearance, the ipe must be sealed annually. They can be 25 years or more.
As it is imported, the price may fluctuate. Reliable wood suppliers must ensure that the wood is naturally seeded or regenerated. To confirm that a supplier is following sustainable practices, contact the Forest Stewardship Council.
What is Cladding?
Cladding is the exterior of your home that is visible & used in the facade. You may call it the first line of defense for your home against many hazardous conditions & climate effects.
Cladding adds to the aesthetic appeal of your home. Also, it provides durability & increases your property value significantly it can also be used to cover the end boards of the beautiful decking of your house.
You need to be decisive while selecting the materials & colors for cladding. In the property business, the first impression is crucial. However, it’s not a child’s play to install cladding. You need to get the proper materials, hire the right guy to install, and any other factors related to it.
Types Of Cladding To Consider
1. Timber Cladding
These traditional wood-based hardboards are the most common type of cladding. It is cheap, eco-friendly, and can impart a timeless classic vibe. These are easy to install & durable. However, they are difficult to clean & are prone to bugs, rotting & twisting.
2. Vinyl Cladding
Vinyl cladding is becoming more popular in modern architecture. The cladding, made of hard plastic material, is available in many colors and can withstand heavy winds. They also cost less.
Vinyl cladding is prone to cracks & denting. Also, they are not waterproof.
3. Metal Cladding
These cladding include sheets, boards of steel & aluminum. They have the highest durability, excellent fire & bug resistance, waterproof & recyclable.
Metal cladding rusts easily & is very expensive compared to others.
4. Cement Cladding
Cement cladding is made of cement, sand autoclaved with pressurized steam. It is one of the most popular types of cladding used for exterior walls.
It is very sturdy & durable. Likewise, it can withstand fire, rotting & has many variations & designs. However, it has low thermal & sound insulation properties.
Final Thoughts
Building your house is a huge milestone & you don’t want to impart an odd & boring look. So, consult with a builder first, before choosing any decking or cladding type.
Each type of wooden deck requires an annual repair to maintain its original shine. If you do it yourself, plan to pay $ 13 for 100 square feet for a deck cleaner and $ 15 for a sealer.
In adverse weather conditions or when maintenance is delayed for a long time, the wooden deck must be cleaned, removed, sanded, and resealed.
Keep in mind that all cladding has imperfections. So, choose wisely what cladding suits your house the most.
