3.12.2012

Consideration of Greener Exterior Cladding

By Jeff Tormey


There are numerous homes having a assortment of exterior finish options that may range from stone and brick to stucco wood, metal and vinyl. The most frequently asked question by environmentally concerned householders is which one of the many available products is the most green. Of course, all the manufacturers and providers of each exterior cladding will claim they are the most environment-friendly cladding. There are even one or two new, more exotic options made with recycled content that seem particularly appealing.

However before we get too worked up by all the marketing blurb, it is important to step back and consider the wider context in which the decision about exterior finishes must be made. If you won't think about this then you will end in a "green washed Exterior that really compromises the house's overall environmental impact. There are three points to consider when choosing an eco-friendly cladding:

First, it's highly important to recollect that a house isn't just a collection of green products and features. To be actually effective at reducing our environmental footprint, all of these individual elements must work together as a system. This is undeniably true to supporting walls. When you have a wood frame house, these walls are actually high performance assemblies designed to control heat transfer, air flow, and water penetration. The exterior finish layer is an important part of this system and is far more than merely the decorative surface that faces the street. If you focus too deeply on either the aesthetics or environmental features of a cladding choice, without considering the wall system as a whole, then it can compromise the final sustainability of the house.

The second consideration that you must see is the climate of your area. An environmentally sensitive selection of exterior cladding must be driven by the express climate in which your home is located. Dry, cold, and wet climates have different necessities. Take for examples in a wet climate, the exterior cladding should be what architects call a "rain screen" This would mean that the finish material are set off from the wall a slight distance so as to supply a tiny opening that permits any water that might get behind the outside layer to drain away. You must see what are the appropriate uses of the exterior cladding that you're going to install in your houses.

The 3rd consideration is durability. Common sense tells us that any exterior finish that wears out prematurely isn't extremely green, no matter what it asserts in the product's marketing brochure. Particularly, there are recently developed cladding materials should be approached with an amount of caution. You should see the lifespan of any exterior cladding that you'll buy and install. If your cladding has lower life span then it'll give an enormous environmental impact.

In the end, there's no one single right answer to the issue of which exterior finish is the most green. You should focus on the different concerns of each exterior cladding so that you can decide on what exterior finish you'll use. You can ask your Atlanta Windows and Siding expert so that you will know the best source to help you in making the correct decision about which cladding material will be the most practically viable option to your house.




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