Cladding facts for kids

Cladding is like a building's outer skin. It is a layer of material put on the outside of a building. This layer can protect the building from weather, or it can make the building look better.

What is Cladding?

Cladding means covering one material with another. Think of it as adding a protective or decorative layer to a building. This outer layer helps keep the building safe and looking good.

Why Do Buildings Need Cladding?

Buildings need cladding for several important reasons.

• Protection: Cladding protects the building from things like rain, wind, and sun. It acts like a shield.
• Looks: It can also make a building look modern, colorful, or unique. Architects use cladding to create different styles.

How Does Cladding Protect Buildings?

Cladding does more than just look nice. It helps buildings in many ways.

Weather Protection

Cladding helps keep water and wind away from the main structure of a building. It directs rain safely downwards so it does not get inside. This stops water from damaging the walls.

Keeping Warm or Cool

Some types of cladding help with insulation. This means they can keep the heat inside during winter. They can also keep the heat out during summer. This helps save energy used for heating and cooling.

Reducing Noise

Cladding can also help control noise. It can block sounds from outside, making the inside of a building quieter. It can also stop noise from escaping the building.

Special Cladding for Windows

Cladding used around windows is often called window capping. This is a special type of cladding. It helps seal the windows and protect them from the weather.

What is Rainscreen Cladding?

Rainscreen cladding is a special type of outer layer. It is designed to protect buildings from the weather. It also helps with insulation. The outer part of rainscreen cladding does not have to be completely waterproof itself. Instead, it works by directing water and wind away. This stops water from getting into the building's structure.

Cladding and Building Safety

Building safety is very important, especially for tall buildings. Experts pay close attention to how cladding behaves in a fire. Some materials, like Aluminium Composite Material (ACM), have been studied carefully. It is crucial that cladding materials help prevent fires from spreading. This helps keep everyone inside the building safe.