4 Most Common Metal Cladding Types & Their Uses
Metal cladding can be found in a diverse range of projects. Be it agriculture, residential, or high-end commercial schemes, there is metal cladding available to suit every need!
However, how do you know which metal cladding suits your project the best?
The most common type of metal used for metal cladding are:
- Zinc
- Aluminium
- Steel
- Copper
Let’s take a look at the 4 most common metal cladding types and their uses:
Zinc:
Zinc is one of the ideal metals to use for metal cladding due to the many benefits its offers. Zinc is long-lasting and fully recyclable at the end of its lifecycle. Zinc when used in metal cladding also offers self-healing properties and any scratches and light abrasions will disappear as the metal weathers. Zinc cladding also darkens from its original lightish grey and takes on bluer hues as the patina starts developing.
The metal is also known to develop the malleable properties of aluminium but has the added benefit of developing a beautiful, aged patina as compared to anodised aluminium is inert and does not change its appearance with time.
Zinc’s long life lasting a century is also another great reason why zinc metal claddings are an ideal option compared to other metals on the list.
Zinc claddings are also available in a wide range of textures, colours and sheet lengths that make it a versatile cladding option.
Copper:
Copper has also been used as a metal cladding for a long time. Its natural corrosion resistance and dramatic colour changes over time as the cladding ages and mature with its surroundings. The metal transitions through darker shades of brown as its patina develops with time.
Once the outer layer is fully oxidised copper maintains its iconic green patina for a long time, even decades.
Aluminium Cladding:
The cladding is strong and lightweight and is even highly workable. The cladding is also available is available in a wide range of colours, textures and sheet lengths.
Tiled or stripped patterns are commonly seen in aluminium claddings.
Aluminium also has the quality of expanding and contracting depending upon the temperature.
Steel:
The heaviest and cheapest of the four metals, steel is usually coated in polymer lacquer (for example polyester or plastisol) that helps prevent corrosion or rust. Steal wall claddings come in multiple colours and the metal is suited for metal cladding purposes for affordable or cost-effective projects.
When it comes to selecting a metal for metal cladding purposes, Zinc is the ideal choice. It offers great strength, is corrosion resistant, low maintenance and sustainable metal.
VMZINC is an industry leader known for developing high-quality and luxurious zinc wall cladding. Their claddings offer several benefits such as long service life, aesthetically pleasing, eye-catching and super sturdy and solid.
Contact them to know more!