When we look at buildings, particularly homes, the exterior cladding is what we generally see. External cladding is a layer of protection or insulation material that is fixed to the exterior walls of buildings, giving your home its unique look, amongst a host of other benefits. 

If you’re looking for an external cladding expert, or just want to learn more about the process, read this article to find out more. Topics include: 

• Why use external cladding?
• Different types of external cladding
• How much does external cladding cost?
• Cost of cladding materials
• Do I need any permits to install external cladding?
• Hiring an external wall cladding installer

Why use external cladding? 

Though cladding can give your home a great look, its primary purpose is to protect the building from moisture and the damaging impact of the elements. These practical applications are why most homes will have exterior cladding. 

But if that isn’t enough to sell you on the need to install external wall cladding, there’s more. There are a host of other benefits to installing external cladding in your home, as listed below. 

Visual appeal

External cladding is what gives your home its kerb appeal. Without it, your house will look like it’s still under construction. With it, you can enhance the appearance of your home. The range of materials and cladding designs also means that you have the flexibility to choose the right look for you. If you’re looking to sell, redoing your cladding can vastly increase the interest in your property. 

Raises the value of your house

As mentioned in the previous point, external cladding can also be a great investment for your future if you think you’re likely to sell your house. Once installed, it can help you sell your home more quickly and for more money. 

Insulation

Apart from making your home look finished, external wall cladding adds extra insulation to your home. With better insulation, your home can stay cool in those hot summer days and warm in the frigid winter. 

Lower energy bills

The energy efficiency of your home plays a huge part in determining the price of your heating and cooling bills. A well-insulated home will usually need less energy to keep it comfortable. 

Lower maintenance costs

The various cladding materials all share the trait of protecting the frame and structure of your walls from water, pest and UV damage. With the extra protection that cladding offers, your walls and internal structure will last longer too, reducing the cost and frequency of repairs.

Sound insulation

If you choose any of the masonry veneer options – like stone, brick and concrete – your external cladding will also provide you with great sound insulation. Other options that are not as high density can have specific insulation installed underneath to add your home's noise insulation.

Fire and pest protection

As Aussies, we’re no stranger to bushfires. If you live in an area with a higher bushfire attack level (BAL), then your external cladding installer should be able to provide options that have extreme heat resistance.

Likewise, external cladding can ensure that pests have no way to enter your walls and burrow into the insulation to make their homes. With the right treatments and detailing, termites can also be staved off. No one wants to deal with an infestation in their home. 

Different types of external cladding

Though designs do vary, your main choices when it comes to external cladding will usually revolve around the material that you use. Each has its own benefits and look that you might find more suited to your home. 

Steel

Steel is one of the most popular choices for Aussies due to its strength and ability to withstand harsh weather conditions. By itself, it doesn’t provide great insulation but it usually has specific materials placed underneath to compensate.  It’s more flexible than other types of external wall cladding, allowing for structural movement and wind resistance. It also comes in a range of colours to suit any home

Stone

Often chosen for its looks, stone wall cladding can be made of real stone or concrete. Both provide the look of stone, but concrete has a lower cost. Being lightweight, concrete’s easily installed and generally doesn’t require foundations or structural modification.

Wood

Timber wall cladding is resistant to wind and tough environmental conditions. It’s a good insulator and can be covered in a range of finishes to offer additional protection (such as paints and stains). However, this isn’t a good choice in BAL areas. 

Aluminium

Powder-coated or anodised to further protect your home, aluminium is strong, pest resistant and easy to install. It’s one of the more expensive options.

PVC/vinyl

Another type of external wall cladding, PVC is ideal for those on a budget. Like steel, it can be insulation-backed and it sports a wide selection of colours.

How much does wall cladding cost?

Cladding should be professionally installed to get a good finish, as cladding experts will have the training and expertise to complete your job without any hiccups. Cladding installers may charge between $50 and $80 per hour, depending on the type of cladding, if you're using a combination of claddings and the complexity of the job.

Many services will include the cost of materials in their quotes but it can always be a good idea to know what everything should be costing. The cost of cladding materials is usually charged per square metre.

Cost of cladding materials

Some costs you can expect to pay for wall cladding materials include:

• Weatherboard cladding: $20 - $60 per m2
• Timber cladding:$110 - $350 per m2
• Aluminium cladding: $14 - $36.50 per m2 
• Vinyl cladding: $30 - $100 per m2 
• Stone veneer cladding: $100 - $150 per m2

To get cost estimates for different cladding materials, custom to the unique amount you need, please use our cladding cost calculator. 

Do I need any permits to install external cladding?

Regulations for cladding in Australia can vary by state and depend on the type of cladding used. Depending on where you live, some combustible types of cladding may not be permitted or will need special permissions.

How to hire a good external cladding installer

When you're ready to hire an external wall cladding installer, take the time to make sure they're right for your job. Some questions to ask them include:

• Are you licensed or qualified to complete external cladding?
• Are you insured for this job?
• How long will it take for you to install my external cladding?
• Can you provide a written quote?
• What is included in the quote?
• Do you have references I can follow up on?
• Can I see examples of your work?