What is weatherboard cladding?
Cladding is the practice of placing one material on top of another to provide thermal insulation, protection from weather, and often aesthetic appeal. Weatherboards are a type of outdoor cladding that can be found in many different materials such as timber, vinyl, and fiber cement. There are many design possibilities with Weatherboards, as they vary in size/texture/style and most can even be painted to suit one’s desires. Cladding Weatherboards are a cost effective way to renovate a building’s exterior and are readily available in Australia.
There are many high-quality weatherboard options available across the country, such as the popular James Hardie Linea weatherboard or, for DIYer, the Bunnings’ extensive Weatherboard collection. Choosing the right type of cladding for your home will involve looking at each of the options listed below with reference to your location’s temperature and weather conditions, your ability to maintain, and the design and style of your home.
The amount a contractor will cost to install it will vary depending on the type of weatherboard selected – wood is usually the easiest and therefore the cheapest, while fiber cement can cost up to three times as much. On average, installing the cladding will cost about $50-65 per hour. The cost of weatherboard materials alone will range from $3.5-8.5 per linear meter (wood) to $100 – $150 per linear meter (stone veneer).
DIY is possible, although it is highly recommended that you speak to a professional builder first as improper installation can damage your home or leave it not adequately protected from the weather. It will also depend on the condition of the house – if you are replacing pre-existing weatherboards it will be more difficult than just installing new ones.
Top 5 ideas for weather panel cladding
5. Fiber cement
Fiber cement is among the most expensive of Weatherboard styles. However, this is because it is the most durable option and will hold up decades more than traditional materials such as wood. Fiber cement is usually manufactured in the form of boards, weatherboards, or sheets, which means there is flexibility in choosing the best style for your home. It can also be painted in darker colors. It is highly fire retardant and waterproof after sealing. Fiber cement weatherboard can be applied to most typical home roofs. It’s easily available and can be purchased across the country through companies like James Hardie and Big River.
The disadvantages of fiber cement weatherboards are that they are heavier, more difficult to install, and have a higher carbon footprint than many alternatives.
4. Aluminum
Aluminum weather panels are cost effective, lightweight and weather resistant. It’s a standard issue, which means there are many sizes to choose from and can be moved around easily. Moreover, they are produced in different styles of finish, texture and color. This makes it one of the most versatile options for weatherboards as they can be made to look like wood or stone if desired. It is a permanent, maintenance-free alternative to wood or steel and has a simple installation process. Aluminum weather panels are available for purchase here from the Trumark Collection.
A disadvantage of aluminum weather-resistant panels is that they are subject to scratching. This won’t matter for some climates because it is adequately able to protect against most weather events such as rain or snow, but debris flying from storms or hurricane-level winds is unlikely to withstand. Although the installation process is simple, it still needs to be performed by experienced professionals as the joints must be carefully sealed to prevent water penetration.
3. Vinyl
Vinyl Weather Panels are made from the world’s most versatile plastic, PVC. They also come in many different colors and our vinyl weatherboard homes have a more elegant and contemporary look. These plastic weatherboards can be installed on almost any surface, including brick and fiberglass, which means vinyl is a safe bet for any home. It takes nearly half the time of any other replacement to install because it doesn’t require grouting, painting or curing. Vinyl weatherboards are the cheapest on the market from manufacture to installation to maintenance. It can be bought all over Australia and sold by reliable companies such as ProSide Select.
The biggest concerns for vinyl weatherboards are chemicals – PVC is made with chlorine, which can leach from PVC panels over long periods of time. There is no current evidence to suggest this poses a health risk, but it is an area of uncertainty. Another potential problem is that weatherproof vinyl planks, such as aluminum, are not as hard as some materials and will be more likely to scratch or dent under duress.
2. Rustic
The rustic weatherboards have the distinctive silhouette of aqueducts. It can either come in cement or, more commonly, from wood. Rustic weatherboards are durable and strong due to their weathersight shape. Cement rustic weatherboards can be purchased from James Hardie, and lumber from Master Woodturning.
The disadvantages of rustic weatherboards depend on the material from which they are made. Weatherboards made of wood, as with all wood products, are suspicious of rotting and spoiling early if not treated properly. Rural cement weatherboards can have weight issues and silica dust concerns, as well as generally high costs.
1. Timber
Wood cladding often consists of both softwood and hardwood. Eucalyptus is a common hardwood in Australia, and is probably the most common style of wood veneer in application today. Wood cladding is generally an environmentally friendly option, easy to repair, and pricing is flexible as costs tend to vary.
a) soft wood
Softwood (lightweight – less than 500 kg/m3) is mostly recommended for prefab buildings because it puts less stress on the supporting structure. Softwood cladding materials have better thermal conductivity than their hardwood counterparts, as well as ease of installation and more application possibilities for weight-dependent applications. Softwood materials are made from popular trees such as cedar, Douglas fir and pine. More purchasing information about soft weather panels can be found at Wood Solutions.
However, softer weatherboards are generally weaker and less fire-resistant. Like aluminum and vinyl weatherboards, they also tend to be easily damaged by high impact forces.
b) solid wood
Solid weatherboard (heavy weight – usually over 800 kg/m3) is more durable and fireproof. Maintenance is simple and can be cleaned easily. The high strength of hardwood means increased resistance to dents/scratches. They have aesthetic appeal as well as creative flexibility in colors and finishes. Common solid weatherboards are made from eucalyptus, mahogany, spotted gum, and balsa. Pricing information and quality solid weather panels can be found online at the Canterbury Timber.
A disadvantage of hardwoods is that hardwood trees tend to grow more slowly. This means that solid wood products are more expensive, as they are difficult to mass-produce. The weight of the solid wood cladding can also put pressure on the building structure.
See here for a comprehensive scheme of the type of timber best suited for your home.