Dalton Roofing has been in the roofing industry for many years, and in that time, we’ve become highly skilled at installing cladding. So, in today’s roofing blog, we’re going to look at roof cladding sheets and how to decide which is the right one for your property. We’ll explain just what cladding is and look at the different types of cladding options that are available.

What is Cladding?

Cladding is basically installing another layer of protection onto the exterior of a property. The cladding is typically made up of a combination of aluminium, plastic and other metal types, and is available for use in both domestic and industrial roofing sectors.

Not only does cladding add extra protection, but it also prevents against draughts, leaks and dampness. In addition to this, you will find that cladding is a great insulator, especially if you request glass fibre to be sandwiched between the two layers.

In domestic roofing, cladding is usually fitted around chimneys, windows and doors, as these are the areas that are most vulnerable to draughts and leaks. On the other hand, industrial buildings tend to opt for vertical cladding and over-sheeting, due to the fact that the appearance of the buildings can be improved greatly whilst being protected from weather damage.

Example of Cladding

Not so long ago, we were called out to a job at an industrial building in Attercliffe, which is situated in Sheffield. The property was looking tired, the bricks were worn and the render had started falling off.

To solve these issues, we installed some vertical cladding onto the building’s brick wall. We used box profile, goose wing grey sheeting and managed to totally transform the appearance and stability of the building.

You can watch the video below to see an example of our finished cladding work:

If our industrial roofing Sheffield service sounds like the perfect thing for you and your property, feel free to contact us on 0114 2799 799 today!

Different Types of Roof Cladding Materials

Cladding comes in various shapes and styles, so it’s good to know what options will suit your property. With that in mind, let’s have a look at some different cladding materials used on commercial and residential buildings:

Steel Cladding Sheets

Steel cladding sheets deliver long-lasting durability that is both cost-effective and stylish. Perfect for industrial buildings of all sizes, galvanized steel cladding sheets will protect your property from wind, rain and leaks for fifty years or more.

GPR Fibreglass Cladding

Fibreglass sheets are an excellent, long-lasting and maintenance cladding option for roofs and buildings. Due to its awesome strength and flexibility, fibreglass cladding can be moulded into any shape your building requires and will last for more than a century.

Plastic Roofing Sheets

Like fibreglass, plastic roofing sheets are flexible and make a great choice of cladding. Plastic cladding provides a very cost effective-option and comes in all kinds of colours, shapes and sizes. And their impressive strength can last half a century or more with the correct maintenance.

Copper Cladding

Copper cladding has been used in roofing for hundreds of years now, and for good reason too. Cheaper than lead, copper roofs are tough and routinely last over a hundred years. Copper also gives properties a uniquely attractive green patina, an element of style that’s unmatched in any other cladding option.

Fibre Cement Cladding

Fibre cement cladding is a sustainable material made of synthetic fibres, cellulose, water and cement. It’s a very high-performing roof cladding solution that will last over 40 years in most cases. Another good feature of fibre cement cladding is that it’s fire resistant, increasing safety on your property.

Benefits of Cladding

As we’ve discussed, cladding is a great way to give old buildings a new lease of life. So, let’s have a look in greater detail at the benefits of exterior cladding panels for your property:

• Low Maintenance. When put alongside traditional timber cladding, steel, plastic and fibreglass are all incredibly low-maintenance options. They are all weather-resistant materials that are generally easy to clean. And their long-lasting design means they are a worthwhile investment once installed.

• Protect the Building. Over time, dirt, grime and pollution can turn your once nice-looking building into a bit of a filthy nightmare. But because cladding is added on top of your structure, it provides a strong level of protection for your building’s original material.

• Sound Proofing. Wall cladding can also add an extra layer of soundproofing to your property. This is a particularly handy feature of cladding on industrial buildings as that extra barrier can mean all the difference between a noisy courtyard and a reasonably quiet one.

• Heat Insulation. Cladding can also bring fantastic insulation benefits to your property. Depending on the material you choose to install, gladding can reduce heating costs significantly. And, it prevents extreme heat from entering the property and makes industrial units much cooler places to work.

• Cost. Although the initial cost can be quite an expensive outlay, cladding can be worth it in the long run. For instance, many industrial units still operate out of old structures made of bricks and mortar. These materials will only degrade over time and eventually require serious maintenance. But installing cladding will provide strong resistance in the face of sunlight, rain, wind and ice.

Example of Garage Cladding

In our final example of cladding, we see Phil Dalton discussing a garage that he’s just cladded in green box profile roof sheets. The property is now protected against water ingress and will remain upstanding for years to come.

Furthermore, he’s installed roof lights so natural daylight can get into the garage. This will help to reduce the need for electrical lighting devices throughout the day and create a nicer working environment.

Check out the video below to see how a simple bit of cladding can transform a rickety old building into a tower of strength and stability.

And so, that just about wraps up our guide to cladding in the roofing industry. Hopefully, you’ve got all the information you need now.

But if you do have a question about cladding that we’ve not answered, give Dalton Roofing a call on 0114 2799 799.