When picking the best external cladding for your home, consider the longevity, environmental impact, appearance, and efficiency. The metal siding you pick not only adds character to your home but also serves as the first line of defence against the elements. Here, we examine the advantages and disadvantages of modern aluminum siding panels and Steel Claddings panels to help you decide which option is ideal.
What Is the Difference Between Siding and Building Cladding?
Direct vs. Indirect Application: Siding is applied directly to a wall, whereas cladding is done indirectly. Furring strips divide the cladding from the exterior sheathing, creating a ventilated drainage plane and a water-resistant barrier. On the other hand, siding can be put directly to sheathing or insulating foam board.
Rain screen Systems: A rain screen system includes the exterior sheathing, a vented drainage plane, and cladding. The extra air space between the building’s cladding and the wall allows for ventilation and drainage.
Thickness: The usual thickness of a cladding board is 22mm, but siding boards can be as thin as 1mm.
Design Flexibility: Cladding boards can be installed in various ways and are widely employed in multidimensional application designs. In the facade design, you can change the depth of a façade; building designers who manage the facade projects can mix and match colours and orient them differently using the vented drainage plane area.
Modern Aluminum Siding Panels:
Regarding resistance against weather, there is no doubt that modern aluminum siding panels are the better option. Although aluminum composite panels or ACM panel building claddings have long been the most popular external cladding solution, customers can now select from various metal wall system solutions.
The pros of modern aluminum siding panels:
Modern aluminum siding is quite durable. Because it is more resilient and lighter in weight than other varieties of siding, it has a cheaper replacement cost. When exposed to water, it does not degrade or distort.
- Modern aluminum siding panels are available in various colours.
- Aluminum cladding requires less care.
- Modern aluminum siding panels considerably decrease heat loss and are resistant to extreme temperatures.
- Modern aluminum siding panels don’t need to be cleaned or repainted frequently.
- It also does not deteriorate when exposed to moisture.
- Because modern aluminum siding panels are less likely to melt or burn if a minor fire breaks out in your home.
- Modern aluminum siding panels, unlike other types of siding, do not generate toxic fumes when exposed to high temperatures for an extended period.
- Because the sidings are unlikely to break off or be damaged during an earthquake, they are ideal for homes in seismic zones.
- Modern aluminum siding panels help minimize exterior noise pollution since they do not rattle and emit noise when exposed to powerful sounds such as thunder or heavy traffic.
- Pests like termites, carpenter ants, woodpeckers, rats, and others do not affect it. This is owing to the poor moisture absorbency of the modern aluminum siding panel material, which makes it unappealing to these insects that feed on damp wood.
- Since they come in various hues, modern aluminum siding panels match brick, stucco, or stone exteriors.
The cons of modern aluminum siding panels:
- Fibre cement, vinyl siding, and stucco exterior wall treatments are less expensive to install and maintain than modern aluminum siding panels.
- Modern aluminum siding panels will rust if exposed to precipitation or humidity for a lengthy period. To avoid this, galvanize the material or paint it with rust-resistant paint; nevertheless, if your environment is generally humid, you may need to repaint it more regularly.
Pros of steel cladding systems
- Steel cladding is less maintenance-intensive than typical siding materials such as cedar shake or vinyl.
- They resist weather extremes such as snow, frost, and solar heat.
- Moisture creates mould, mildew, and fungal problems, but steel cladding will not have these issues.
- They are nearly always recyclable and reusable.
- It’s resistant to pests, saving time and money on upkeep and repairs.
- Protects against fire.
Cons of steel siding:
- Rust may destroy steel siding.
- It can be damaged, resulting in peeling paint and rust formation.
- Steel cladding materials are usually more costly than other types of siding.
- Steel cladding may produce noise. You will surely hear it when it rains.
Why Modern Aluminum Siding is Better
Aluminum is available in various textures and designs, many of which resemble wood. Modern aluminum siding can be pre-painted in various baked-on colours, or the homeowner can paint the siding whatever colour they like.
Finally, aluminum is a relatively low-maintenance alternative, far less than most other siding options.
Other than hosing it down once a year and wiping it down with a soft, moist cloth, there isn’t much maintenance required for modern aluminum siding, except painting it every ten to twelve years.