Flooring Professionals in Christchurch

If you are planning to reclad the outside of your Christchurch home, there are plenty of different options to choose from. If you are not sure what would best suit your property or your budget, then talking to a cladding professional will help narrow down your choices.

Each type of cladding has advantages and disadvantages, so it is important to think about the style of your house and the area it is in as well as practical considerations such as how often you want to maintain the exterior.

There are five main types of cladding used in New Zealand homes.

1. Timber cladding is a traditional New Zealand style that gives a heritage finish to any home. Wood can be painted in any colour, but it is high maintenance and will require regular repainting to keep it looking fresh.
2. Palisade cladding is a weatherboard style that is pre-finished with a coating that doesn’t fade as quickly in the sun and doesn't require repainting. This style looks like traditional timber boards and is an excellent choice for older style houses and villas.
3. Linea is a popular alternative to wooden weatherboards. It is a cement, fibre based cladding that withstands the harsh elements of the Christchurch seasons well. Linea cladding comes in a range of colours, but it can take longer to install because it is heavy and requires extra fittings.
4. Brick cladding is a traditional choice and is very durable and requires little maintenance. One drawback for Christchurch property owners is that brick cladding is not the best option for earthquake prone areas, nor is it suitable for hillside sites as piles are needed to hold the bricks up.
5. Polystyrene based cladding is an alternative to the more traditional cladding options, offering excellent insulation and is less prone to cracks than some other types.

Previously very popular in Christchurch and around New Zealand, monolithic cladding that is a fibre cement plaster based cladding is now not favoured by many cladding professionals. The system was popular as it was easy to install and low-cost, but it has been associated with many leaky homes and is now used very rarely.

If you have your heart set on a particular type of finish, then it is a good idea to ask a cladding professional if they have experience working with that material before you employ them. It's a good rule to try to get at least three quotes to compare prices before you make a final decision.

Ask the contractor to visit you at your property to discuss which type of cladding would suit your situation best and what is needed to complete the job. If you need old cladding removed first then remember to check whether this is included in the quote and whether the rubbish will be cleared from the site. 

Lastly, don't forget that weather conditions can play a part in your choice of material so look for a cladding professional on Builderscrack who does lots of work in your Christchurch suburb and will be able to give you the best local advice.