The Hidden Benefits of Weatherboard Cladding Most Homeowners Overlook

You’ve probably noticed how nice it is when you see a house that seems solid, like nothing has ever happened to it. Clean lines, fresh panels, and a finish that holds up to the elements and doesn’t require constant painting – that’s a great-looking house. Much of that is due to the exterior cladding of the house – it may not seem like a lot of “work” but it has a lot to say about how your house will perform over its lifetime, how much work you’ll have to put into it, and how comfortable you’ll feel inside the house.

A Brief Overview of the Functionality of Weatherboard Cladding

Weatherboard cladding is something that has been used for decades. It was originally made from vertical boards of timber, attached to the frame of the house by nails. One of the things people recognize immediately when they see a weatherboard-clad house is that they rarely give it much thought. The fact is, however, that cladding plays a very important role in protecting the structure of your house from moisture, ultraviolet light, and extreme temperatures.

The newer, modern weatherboards (such as vinyl) offer enormous advantages over the older, painted wood ones. They are generally lighter, stronger and easier to care for than the older version. For example, some manufacturers provide a combination of the classic appearance of wood with the durable qualities of vinyl – a win-win for homeowners. This is not just about ease-of-care; there are several lesser-known advantages that really set this type of weatherboard apart.

It Is Virtually Maintenance Free (and That Is Not Something to Be Taken Lightly)

One of the largest frustrations for homeowners is exterior maintenance. Wood becomes worn and faded; paint gets worn off; and before you know it, weekends are spent climbing ladders and using sand paper. This is exactly where vinyl weatherboard cladding and similar low-maintenance weatherboard types truly excel. Unlike paint, stain, or sealants, these materials do not need to be applied to the weatherboard panels, and the colors of the panels last for years longer than most exterior paints.

Additionally, cleaning is relatively straightforward; simply use a hose, once or twice per year, and you’re done. There is no special product needed, nor is there an expensive maintenance schedule to keep up with. Ultimately, this will result in significant cost savings, both monetarily and in terms of time spent.

An Unintended Benefit to Energy Efficiency

One of the major benefits of quality weatherboard cladding systems is that they often contain a layer of insulation between the weatherboard panel and the house’s frame. This additional insulation provides a further barrier to temperature fluctuations.

In simpler terms, your house will stay warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer with reduced heating and/or cooling system usage. While the exact reduction in energy usage may not appear to be large, when added up over the course of months and years, it can represent a noticeable reduction in your energy bills.

Many modern vinyl weatherboards also possess reflective characteristics that assist in reflecting solar heat away from the house during the warmest months of the year. This is a subtle design element that can significantly contribute to overall comfort levels – particularly in regions that experience intense sunlight during the summer months.

Durable Long-Term Performance With Reduced Stress

Exterior materials, unlike interior materials, do not all grow old equally. When a house is brand new, the wood looks amazing, but it begins to show cracks, peeling, and warping within a few years if proper care is not maintained. Vinyl weatherboards, however, were created to withstand a multitude of weather conditions including rain, salt-laden air, UV exposure, and even hail.

Notably, vinyl does not rot, rust, or attract termites, resulting in substantial future repair costs being avoided. While some homeowners express concerns regarding the appearance of vinyl being too “plastic,” high-quality vinyl weatherboards are available today with realistic wood-grain textures that closely resemble actual wood.

As an added benefit, this type of exterior renovation upgrade also silently increases the value of your property. Buyers appreciate knowing they will not have to spend money on the periodic repainting or repairs of the exterior, providing a sense of confidence that their newly-purchased home will remain in pristine condition for years to come.

Noise Reduction

While this advantage typically goes unnoticed, weatherboard cladding (when combined with an insulated backer board) reduces the amount of outside noise heard inside the home. If you reside near a busy highway or are located in a noisy neighborhood, the background hum of traffic or nearby neighbors is softened and becomes less bothersome.

It is worth noting that this is not complete soundproofing; only specific, specialized insulation can achieve that level of performance. However, this type of cladding offers a distinct and appreciable improvement in reducing outside noise.

Protection From the Elements

Weatherboard cladding serves as the primary barrier of protection for your home. During periods of heavy rain or strong winds, it prevents moisture from entering the frame of the home and potentially causing damage (mold, rot, etc.) over time. The individual weatherboard panels are designed to overlap each other so that rainwater flows down and off the surface of the panel(s), eliminating the possibility of water seepage into the framing of the home.

Unlike wood, vinyl weatherboards do not absorb moisture, thereby preventing swelling or warping of the panels after a heavy rainfall event. This is a tremendous advantage in regions that experience irregular precipitation patterns.

Additionally, many modern vinyl cladding systems incorporate features that allow for slight expansion/contraction of the panels based on temperature variations, ensuring that the panels remain intact and will not crack or buckle as a result of such movements.

The Type of Detail That Makes Vinyl Last Decades

Many homeowners assume that practical equates to plain, but this is not the case when it comes to weatherboard cladding. Modern cladding is offered in a wide variety of colors, textures and profiles. Therefore, whether a homeowner wishes to have a contemporary look or a more traditional look reminiscent of the original timber boards, there is almost certainly a style available.

The color of the cladding is permanently embedded in the material, not painted on the surface of the material, therefore, the selected color will remain consistent year after year – something exterior paint cannot accomplish.

Furthermore, it is quite common for homeowners to renovate an older home and wish to emulate the same style as the original exterior. Fortunately, many of the current weatherboard cladding systems are designed to reproduce the look of vintage weatherboard cladding while incorporating modern benefits.

Cost Savings Over Time

Let us face the reality – exterior renovations are expensive. However, one of the upgrades mentioned above will likely pay for itself over time. Although the installation cost of a weatherboard cladding system will vary based upon the chosen material and the size of the home, the recurring costs associated with maintaining the exterior of the home will decrease substantially once the cladding system is installed.

Homeowners will no longer need to repaint the exterior of the home every 5-7 years; there will be no need for regular timber treatment; and there will be no need to replace weathered boards due to damage caused by moisture or pest infestation. The virtually maintenance-free aspect of vinyl weatherboards will save homeowners thousands of dollars over the course of two decades or more.

In addition to the previously mentioned cost savings, homeowners should also consider the potential energy savings and increased property value when evaluating the financial merits of installing a weatherboard cladding system. When viewed in a long-term perspective, rather than a short-term perspective, the initial cost of the installation may be greater than the cost of a simple repaint, but the painted surface will require replacement in approximately five years or less – while the cladding remains virtually unchanged.

Weatherboard Cladding Is A Good Idea For Old Houses Too

Many older homes are plagued by unseen problems including drafty walls, poor-looking exteriors and increasing maintenance costs. Weatherboard cladding is an option to mask cosmetic blemishes while providing improved insulation and protection from the elements. Essentially, it is similar to creating a new outer layer that both makes your house look better and perform better as well.

In many cases, some homeowners are concerned about losing their homes’ characteristics, particularly when they contain heritage-style architectural features. However, most modern weatherboard cladding styles will emulate the classic look of old board and will blend into the surrounding area of your home without changing its original aesthetic.

Additionally, for those homes which have been painted numerous times over the years, weatherboard cladding can provide a clean slate. Not only does this improve the aesthetic appeal of your home, but it also provides additional protection for the structure underneath, which cannot be guaranteed by painting alone.

The Quiet Long-Term Investment

When homeowners consider making improvements to their home, cladding is generally one of the least exciting upgrades to think about. While installing a new kitchen may generate excitement, and a bathroom renovation will make you feel pampered, these upgrades do not operate in the same quiet, long term manner that cladding does. Instead, once installed, cladding operates discreetly behind the scenes to maintain low maintenance requirements, minimize energy expenses, and keep your exterior of your home looking attractive year after year.

As such, for homeowners seeking an upgrade that will look great and last for years, weatherboard cladding should be viewed as a strategic investment that provides a sense of security.