Aluminum Exterior Cladding: Advantages And Disadvantages

There are many benefits of cladding your home. It protects your home, lowers maintenance needs and costs, increases beauty, and does lots more. The choice of the cladding material goes a long way in realizing most of the benefits that are intended from this exterior feature. Aluminum exterior cladding is the ultimate in the material options. There are both advantages and disadvantages to cladding made of this metal. Explore both the facets to determine whether it is suited for your home or not.

Advantages of Aluminum Cladding

The main advantages of aluminum exterior cladding are as follows:

1. Strong & Reliable

Aluminum cladding offers additional protection to your building. The metal panels are strong and durable and provide protection in many ways: 

• They shield the internal building materials from the elements
• They help increase the structure’s mechanical stability
• They provide protection against wind, extreme temperatures, water, pollution, and direct sunlight

In providing this protection, aluminum cladding also helps retain your building’s beauty.

2. Low Maintenance Cladding Option

Aluminum exterior cladding requires little maintenance or repair compared to stone, wood, or painted surfaces. As already mentioned, it is highly resistant to the harshest weather conditions. The only maintenance it will require is simple cleaning from time to time to retain its beauty.

3. Aluminum is Incombustible

Metal panels are non-combustible. Aluminum claddings adhere to the local and international building code for building materials. They are much safer than using wood or other materials. 

4. Aluminum is Lightweight

While other metal exterior cladding options are often light, aluminum beats almost everything. Aluminum honeycomb cores are considered the lightest options you may find. The benefits include:

• Easier transportation
• Easier installation
• Reduced load on the building

However, the lightweight form doesn’t mean that aluminum cladding is less durable.

5. Environment-Friendly Cladding Material

Aluminum exterior cladding can be made of recycled materials. Besides, the cladding can also be recycled at the end of its lifecycle. All of this makes it an environment-friendly option. When you choose metal cladding over other material options, you are reducing the material that ends up in a landfill. When you install these panels, you are significantly reducing your carbon footprint. 

Disadvantages of Aluminum Exterior Cladding

As already mentioned, aluminum exterior cladding comes with its own set of disadvantages and challenges. Some of the most notable ones are as follows:

1. Likely to Dent

While aluminum cladding offers protection against rain, snow, and wind, it is susceptible to getting dented or scratched from debris flying during a storm. If you live in an area with a greater risk of hail or if there is more traffic around your home, the risk of damage is more. Cladding featuring special threads can provide additional protection against such conditions. Most dents and scratches can be removed, repaired, or masked.

2. Need Careful Joint Sealing

When it comes to installing your aluminum cladding, you should choose an experienced and knowledgeable team of professionals. During installation, the joints should be properly sealed. Failing to seal properly can cause water to penetrate and buildup between the wall and the cladding. 

3. Cladding Can Create Noise

There are different ways in which aluminum exterior cladding can create noise.

• High winds, hail, and rain will be noisier with this type of cladding.
• Temperature changes can cause expansion and contraction. This can create popping or pinging noises. 

However, over time you can get used to these noises and may no longer notice them. 

Thus, aluminum exterior cladding has both advantages and disadvantages. Its pros overcome the cons, making it an ideal material for protecting your building’s exterior. As already mentioned, it is recommended to choose the right manufacturer and installer to get the most out of aluminum cladding.