When choosing the right cladding for your home, it’s not just about enhancing the aesthetic appeal. There’s more to it than just style – it plays a crucial role in the home’s weatherproofing, insulation, and durability. At Design Builders, we understand the balancing act between creating a stunning design, managing construction costs, and ensuring your home not only looks great but also stands the test of time. With experience in working with a wide range of cladding materials, we’re here to guide you through the factors that influence these costs and help you make an informed decision.
In New Zealand, traditional timber weatherboards remain a popular choice, while brick, stone, and sleek modern options like concrete or metal cladding are also becoming increasingly sought after. While timber weatherboards offer a classic Kiwi look, brick, concrete and metal cladding offer enhanced durability with less ongoing maintenance. What will be right for your home depends on several factors, including the aesthetic you prefer, the level of maintenance you’re prepared to commit to, and, naturally, your budget.
Cladding costs are influenced by more than just the price of the materials. The complexity of installation and the long-term maintenance also play key roles. Let’s take a closer look at some of the most popular cladding options.
Timber Weatherboards
Timber weatherboards are loved for their classic charm and natural warmth. They are a reliable option, and often come with a lower upfront cost, but they do require regular maintenance, including painting and staining to keep them looking their best. Depending on your local climate, they typically need repainting every 5 to 10 years. However, weatherboards are lighter and easier to install than heavier cladding options, making their initial installation more budget-friendly. Their cost can vary significantly in price depending on the type of wood chosen. Pine weatherboards, for instance, are far cheaper than cedar, so it’s best to consider budget constraints at the design stage.
Brick Cladding
Brick cladding is a popular choice for its timeless aesthetic appeal and exceptional performance. While the installation process is time-consuming, it requires little to no maintenance, offering excellent fire resistance, thermal efficiency, and sound insulation. Known for its durability and longevity, brick cladding is an investment that can stand the test of time, enhancing both the value and comfort of your home. Brick is a great mid-priced cladding option with plentiful style options available to suit all budgets.
Metal Cladding
Metal cladding is becoming increasingly popular across New Zealand, celebrated for its modern aesthetic and robust performance. Aluminium and steel are two of the most sought-after options, prized for their exceptional durability and low maintenance needs. Unlike heavier materials such as brick or concrete, metal cladding offers a lightweight solution, simplifying the installation process and reducing labour costs. It can be a great lower-cost cladding option, although this can be dependent on the style of profile chosen. Additionally, metal cladding provides excellent fire resistance and is rot-resistant, ensuring long-lasting protection against the elements. It’s low-maintenance nature significantly reduces long-term costs, making it a practical and stylish choice for homeowners.
Aerated Concrete Panel Cladding
Aerated Concrete cladding is a robust and reliable option known for its long lifespan and exceptional performance. The panels are aerated which makes the product significantly lighter than traditional concrete, they provide outstanding fire resistance and excellent sound insulation, enhancing both safety and comfort. Additionally, it requires minimal maintenance, offering long-term convenience.
While choosing cheaper cladding options might seem more appealing initially, it’s important to consider the ongoing costs and maintenance required. At Design Builders, we combine the expertise of our architectural designers and trusted construction partners to offer clients tailored advice on cladding options. Our goal is to ensure that you don’t have to compromise on style or quality while managing costs effectively. Our experienced team is here to guide you through every step, ensuring that your home not only looks incredible but also remains cost-effective and durable for years to come.
Ready to explore cladding options for your next build? Contact us today to discuss how we can bring your vision to life with the right balance of style, performance, and cost.
