Are you renovating or building a new home? You've probably been spending more time finding the perfect colours or interior design without paying close attention to your home's exteriors. Choosing the right exterior cladding is a crucial decision that will affect your homes ability to withstand different elements over the years. 

While cladding, colour, style and texture are vital, you'll also need to consider the cost of cladding materials, their durability, insulation and sustainability. Here are five cladding materials you can choose to give your home an excellent finish and style: 

Brick Cladding

Brick has been around for centuries, and you definitely can't go wrong with it. It's typically fire-resistant, has excellent insulating properties and low moisture absorption rates. Besides, it comes in a wide range of colours and offers countless options to choose for your cladding. If you can't afford real brick, consider brick veneers to achieve the same look and style when cladding the entire home. 

Concrete and Plaster Cladding

Greeks and Romans were among the first to pioneer concrete and plaster, but these materials have become mainstream in modern home designs. Contemporary cladding finishes mimic the same attractive looks but with enhanced performance. 

That's especially true when you choose the primary surface correctly. Today, there is a broad range of options when it comes to plaster-finished panels, from patterned to highly textured, and they often combine well with other cladding materials. 

Metallic Cladding

The most common materials for metallic cladding are steel and aluminium. While steel is expensive and durable, aluminium is cheaper but is easily affected by extreme weather. This cladding type looks superb, and you can add impressive effects to it over time. 

However, compared to timber or brick, it lacks proper insulating properties. Therefore, it'll be wiser to research different options you can include on metallic cladding to protect your home in fluctuating temperatures. 

Timber Cladding 

For most home builders, timber is the choice cladding material because it's lighter, on-trend and stunning. Different styles offered by wood such as slat screens and weatherboards offer countless cladding options. 

On the flipside, timber degrades rapidly and as such, requires frequent maintenance compared to other types of cladding. Furthermore, timber cladding is prone to warping, and thus, it requires extra attention during the design phase. 

Stone Cladding 

Finally, granite, slate and schist are the most popular, locally available stone cladding materials used in many home renovation projects across Australia. Stone panels are excellent when it comes to creating focal points for exterior home claddings. Besides, they work seamlessly with other types of cladding. They also offer a timeless finish and blend naturally with the surrounding landscapes.  

For more information about cladding, reach out to a professional.