If you are planning to reclad your Wellington home or are choosing cladding for a new build, there are many things to think about.
While the final decision may come down to price, the following three areas are important to think about when you are deciding on how to clad your house. If you want to know more about each option before you decide, ask a cladding professional for advice on what would suit your property’s look and your lifestyle.
Colour and Style
There are many cladding options for a Wellington property, but not all of them will necessarily suit your house. If you have a period property like a 1960s villa, then you might want to opt for a more traditional cladding like timber weatherboards, than a modern look.
If you are looking for something that will suit your particular style, then choose linea or palisade cladding that come in a variety of modern colours.
Wellington property owners should also consider the location of their properties when thinking about cladding. For example, brick cladding is not the best option for earthquake prone land or homes that are on steep or hill plots, making it unsuitable for many homes in the capital.
Weather
The cladding protects your house from the elements and in Wellington your choice needs to be able to withstand high winds, variable weather and possibly sea spray if you live in a seaside suburb. If your house is cold in winter, think about choosing something like a polystyrene based cladding that offers good insulation and may help make your home warmer.
Future maintenance
Another thing to consider when thinking about your new cladding is how much work you want to do in the future. Some options like timber boards require a lot of maintenance because they need regular repainting.
If you are not in a position to maintain your cladding regularly or do not want the expense of regular repainting, then consider alternatives like Palisades, which give a similar look to weatherboards but are specially coated to increase the lifespan of the cladding and reduce maintenance needs.
Whichever cladding you opt for in the end, you will need to think about employing a cladding professional to install it for you.
Ask the contractor to arrange a site visit to draw up a quote and think about getting more than one quote before you make a final decision.
If you have your heart set on a particular type of cladding, find out if the contractor has any experience with that material and consider choosing someone who specialises in that area. Ask to see previous work or testimonials from other clients before you sign a contract. Check to see if the company offers a guarantee for the completed work.
Local tradesmen will also be able to give you advice on the best materials to use to survive the Wellington climate so look for a contractor who does lots of work around your suburb on Builderscrack.
