4 Factors Of High-Performance Cladding Systems | CCC

Higher performance cladding systems are designed to protect structures from elements such as snow, rain, sleet or hail. They accomplish this in many ways, such as evaporating moisture, draining and deflecting.

Why is Cladding Systems Necessary?

The structural cladding is the components which connect to a building’s main structure, or the portions which help it stand.  The cladding will attach to a structural frame in the form of panels which are prefabricated. High end cladding systems will provide the following advantages:

• Enable opening for ventilation, access and daylight
• Transfer impact and wind loads into structural framework
• Give thermal insulation to produce building envelopes which are airtight
• Provide privacy and security while dampening sound transmission
• Minimize the spreading of fire

When well designed and properly installed, cladding materials will make a building more safe, comfortable and efficient for occupants. It will also provide ample natural light and its feature lower the necessity of electrical or mechanical service, which makes them more eco-friendly. Below are four specific factors which give them these benefits, which are durability, drainage, deflection and drying.

Durability

A cladding’s durability consists of its capacity to handle repeated and continual exposure to thermal contraction and expansion, ultraviolet rays, as well as drying and wetting cycles. These systems will also avoid leakage while shielding a building’s envelope.

Drainage

A cladding’s drainage involves its ability to allow water that transit via the external surface so it can drain. Builders and architects will often resolve this situation by applying a barrier which is water resistant on top of the sheathing with the drainage gap among it and cladding.

Despite this, it must be noted that stucco cladding is not capable of handling larger volumes of water, and as a consequence will need an enhanced drainage system which utilizes a special mat to enlarge the space among the cement membrane and WRB. Such space enables greater water flow accessibility within and down the cladding.

Deflection

This is a measure of a building’s cladding’s capacity to deflect things such as snow, ice, rain and hail which strikes the exterior walled surface. One way to boost a cladding’s liquid deflection is through gutters or overhangs.

Drying

This is a measure of the cladding system’s capacity to enable permeability or ventilation inside the system so that drying is encouraged. Most building codes mandate external cladding which is vapor permeable, to enable condensation or moisture to travel through as vapor whenever sunlight warms it. This includes open areas near the upper and bottom portions of wall cladding which enables airflow as well as extra drying.

In addition to the four factors noted above, other features that you’ll want to take into consideration when planning the installation of cladding include the continuous insulation, thermal movement control, and air tightness, along with hassle free installation, low maintenance and resistance to fire. You want a system which integrates every walled component into a single tested unit which is code compliant. It is also possible to combine numerous facades within one system free of product compatibility issues.