Are Composite Cladding Boards Any Good?
What is composite?
A composite is a combination of two materials or elements with different physical and/or chemical properties. Composite cladding is produced by bonding wood fibres and recycled or virgin plastics together to produce a stronger and more durable product with a high strength-to-weight ratio.
Composite cladding has been developed as an improved eco-friendly replacement for wood to provide consumers with affordable, low-maintenance, and longer-lasting features.
When compared to wood, which has an expected service life of up to 10 years, composite cladding is a longer-lasting alternative estimated to last between 20-30 years.
Plastic-Wood Cladding is a Low Maintenance Solution
Composite cladding, unlike its wood alternative, requires extensive maintenance to keep it looking good for longer. Wood cladding requires regular cleaning, sanding, sealing, oiling, staining and/or painting annually to keep it in good condition. This requires additional time, effort and, most importantly, additional costs over the wood cladding’s service life.
In comparison to wood cladding, composite cladding requires little in the way of maintenance. A couple of times a month, using warm soapy water and scrubbing with a soft bristle brush will keep your cladding in good condition.
Plastic-Wood Cladding Is Durable
The key feature and advantage of composite cladding boards are their strength and durability. Combining wood fibres and recycled plastics together produces a product with exceptional qualities allowing consumers to benefit from a long-lasting, affordable product that is easy and simple to maintain. Whereas wood cladding will splinter or break when exposed to harsh weather and the sun’s harmful UV rays. Composite cladding will not rot, decay or splinter under similar conditions.
Composite Cladding Boards have Great Aesthetic Value
One of the reasons composite cladding boards are so popular and preferred to other cladding materials is their aesthetics. They come in a wide choice of colours and surface finishes. Whether you are looking for a contemporary appearance, you can select greys or blacks or a traditional wood look with the strength and durability of composites. You can choose natural oaks, IPE, chocolate browns and teaks.
Cladding can also be produced from other strong materials such as stone, vinyl, and metals. However, of the available alternative cladding materials, none compared to the beauty and aesthetics of composites. Not only are there many colours to choose from, but there are also different surface finishes that can mimic natural wood with an embossed wood grain appearance or a sanded smooth finish for a modern contemporary look.
Plastic-Wood Cladding Is Lightweight
In addition to benefiting from increased strength and durability, composite cladding is lightweight, making it easier to work with and install.
Conclusion
Composite cladding boards are a fantastic choice for discerning homeowners since they are strong and durable, easy to maintain, easy to install and look and mimic the natural appearance of real wood.