Composite cladding brings many advantages when used on buildings, not least being its durability, its ease of maintenance and the eco-friendly materials it’s made from. Nevertheless, to make sure you get its full benefit, you need to both install and look after it properly.
In this article, we’re going to examine some of the most common issues that arise from both installing and maintaining composite cladding and explain the best way of making sure that yours looks fantastic for many years into the future.
Installation issues
- Water penetration
Water can get into your cladding if you don’t install it properly or use a waterproof membrane. Water ingress can cause serious mould and rot issues or even long-term structural damage. You might also suffer from water damage if your panels get damaged during the installation process.
- Uneven alignment
Careful measurements need to be taken to make sure that the correct gaps are allowed between battens and boards. Setting them too far apart can allow water to get in, while installing them too close together means you might damage them, as they expand and contract in wet and hot conditions. Cutting boards unevenly can also lead to them becoming damaged.
- Fastener problems
If you don’t use the correct fasteners or fixings or they aren’t installed properly, your panels might easily get damaged, leading to more extensive problems at a later date. Screws should be fully inserted to prevent them from catching on other boards, while all boards should be securely held in place without being able to be moved at all.
Maintenance issues
- Discolouration & fading
Composite cladding panels can become discoloured for a number of reasons. These include prolonged exposure to UV light, using the wrong cleaning chemicals, natural wear and tear and moisture damage or staining. Our Superior and Elite ranges are UV resistant, so that’s one thing you don’t have to worry about when you choose them.
- Scratches & dents
Impact damage through careless handling won’t just affect the appearance of your cladding, it can also lead to further deterioration if left untreated. So it’s worth keeping a close eye on its condition and moving quickly to put things right if you become aware of any damage that is sustained at any time.
- Corrosion of metal components
Fixing your composite cladding requires the use of various metal components and these will inevitably be subject to the ravages of weather, potentially leading to rusting over time. So it’s worth making regular checks on the condition of such components and treating them at the first signs of corrosion, reducing the potential for problems in the long-term. At Assured Composite, we use stainless steel components, so corrosion won’t be an issue!
How to avoid common composite cladding pitfalls
If you want to know the best way of making sure you avoid the above pitfalls, we recommend that you carefully read and follow our handy composite cladding installation and maintenance guides. They’ve been designed and written to be simple to follow, so that you have the best possible chance of your cladding being installed correctly, lasting for many years and looking great throughout its lifetime.
Here at Assured Composite, we’re the UK’s leading suppliers of top-quality composite cladding in a wide range of colours and styles, including:
- Classic Sanded Composite Cladding
- Classic Woodgrain Composite Cladding
- Superior Composite Cladding
- Elite Slatted Composite Cladding
We offer free samples so you can easily find the right cladding to match your design and taste, so why not browse our range and order your free sample today?