The term “cladding” has several various meanings, depending on the industry in that the term is used. A standard definition is a fastening or glueing with two dissimilar materials to perform a particular function. In metallurgy, this can mean the binding of two different metals by pressure. However, in the construction, the cladding refers to the attachment of the material to the external surface of the building to (1) divert water and (2) to provide energy-saving insulation. Shrink can also relate to visible, non-structural surfacing of wall materials.
Thermowood cladding for insulation and water diversion on a house or other building may be applied during construction after the structure is framed and the exterior wall rough boarding is applied. In an existing structure, term wood cladding may be installed after the removal of old siding, before the new siding is applied. Thermowood cladding may also be applied on the roof rough boarding before shingles are applied. Decorative thermowood cladding may be used instead of other exterior finishing materials.
A variety of materials are used in thermowood cladding.
o Precast stone or masonry panels may be used for decorative as well as protective purposes. These may be of natural or cultured stone, and aggregates or they may be formed from thin veneers of natural stone bonded to an aluminium reinforced honeycomb.
o Closed cell foam building wrap is often used under siding or shingles. This type of thermowood cladding is purely for insulation and energy conservation.
o Recycled paper, wood, and even bamboo fibres are bound together with a resin into durable, decorative thermowood cladding that comes in a variety of finishes.
o Ceramic Tile panels may be used as a protective, decorative, long-lasting wall thermowood cladding.
o Panels of wood, plastic and other materials.
o Cement-like compounds that can appear in wood and other natural materials.
o Composite panels of metal, wood, stone, brick, sandwiched together into durable, decorative, water resistant building exteriors.
o Cement coatings applied to closed cell foam panels.
o Western Red Cedar has been the most attractive natural wood term wood cladding for several hundred years. It is naturally resistant to insects, and other pests are easily maintained and durable. It is soft so it shouldn’t be used in high-impact areas and the high tannin content will corrode iron, so stainless, galvanized or composite fasteners should be used to avoid stains.
When amortized over the life of the material, thermowood cladding can be a very cost effective means of saving energy, preventing water infiltration and having a decorative, maintenance-free building exterior. The variety of materials and the design flexibility allow architects and designers to create nearly any exterior elevation.
Though it is easy to install, thermowood cladding a building isn’t for amateurs but should be left to the professionals who will properly prepare and hang the material in a manner that precludes any leaking, cracking or other hazards of a poor installation.
Depending on the type of equipment chosen for the lining of heat shrinkable material, the resulting appearance of the building will almost need no maintenance. No staining, sealing, staining, re-aiming or other periodic tasks, but only casual washing to remove contaminated and polluted air.