Vinyl cladding

mattfurlong · Aug 20, 2006 10:43 pm

Hi Folks,

I'm looking to build a new home in an area predominantly occupied by timber weatherboards.

I'm knocking down the existing place so have complete flexibility - but would like to keep the same style as the surrounding area. I saw vinyl cladding at the home show yesterday - they tell me it's completely maintenance free and doesn't fade ..

Just wondering if anyone else has had experience or looked into it previously? I'm happy to put in plenty of Rock Wool to bump up the insulation if required too..

Cheers,

Matt

Dukekamaya · Aug 24, 2006 10:05 pm

It is relatively maintanence free but can split easily if hit. It is also available in long lengths too. In my opinion, it looks cheap compared to timber cladding such as Weathertex or Design Pine.

mattfurlong · Aug 25, 2006 10:15 am

Thanks for the tip!

Any idea on cost comparisons between timber / weathertex? Or insulating properites?

Dukekamaya · Aug 25, 2006 8:08 pm

Weathertex is made in 3660mm length only, a 200mm cover board is about $20/length and the 300mm cover about $26/length.
Design Pine cladding (treated pine) is more exspensive - a 130mm cover board is about $6/metre, I would have to check the 180mm cover price.
Both types plus sarking = R1.7
Hope that helps some

Asterix · Sep 09, 2006 12:25 pm

A quick rebuttal of the last guy.

Correctly installed Vinyl cladding is almost indistinguishable from timber cladding. It most certainly does not split or crack. It is impact tested (you can drive over it in your car). I would suggest that you have a look at an Australian made cladding - it is UV stabilised so it won't fade and better yet it comes in long lengths (no joins) and will never need to be undercoated or painted like other options. It is also insulated and has an R rating without sarking (you only need to sark on new buildings - although it is the best way to do it!) or where the studs are too far apart)

Try a few companies - quotes are free - and if nothing else you will get a good idea of cost and get to see all the boards available on the market.

Dukekamaya · Sep 13, 2006 8:39 pm

I've seen dozens of homes with Aussie made vinyl cladding, as I stated IN MY OPINION it looks cheap. A friend of mine just ripped all the 12 month old vinyl cladding off his house that he just bought and relined it in Weathertex Millwood Smooth and WOW - what a difference.

Asterix · Sep 13, 2006 9:05 pm

Have a look at Armour Board or Excell board both are solid, Australian made boards (no foam) and when installed look really smart. They are both available in 6m and 8m, so no unsightly joins. 10 year warranty is provided (some companies offer longer)

Both are great alternatives to the other products mentioned. I have seen several old houses in the blue mountains cladded in them. They look brilliant, all the character and no paint!

Dukekamaya · Sep 15, 2006 10:07 pm

Weathertex has a 25 year warranty :-)

kjcm99 · May 09, 2009 9:11 am

The guy pushing weathertex is entitled to his opinion, but is so far off the mark.It is the Weathertex that looks fake. I have researched most vinyl cladding boards available and found Armourboard and Excellboard to be very realistic timber look , light in weight, absolutely maitinance free and I was offered a FIFTY year guarantee, not warrantee on Excellboard and decided to use it. I'm very pleased with my desision.

swimspan · Aug 31, 2009 4:41 pm

Hey Matt

i just finished the cladding on my new home (now its watertight, have everything else to do) and i had the exact same problem as you.

i shopped around heaps and got samples of almost every type of cladding i could get my hands on and ended up going with Vinyl. i thought it looked fake and boring when i first saw it, but i went and looked at some excising homes, i think it even looks better. Real wood looks great when you put it up, But you have to think of long term, it doesnt keep that look for long and soon fades, cracks and peels. not to mention all the painting and sanding. If your place is anything like mine, its got lots of hard to reach areas that would be a massive pain to re-paint every few years.

i ended up going with these guys http://www.austech.com.au. i installed it all myself, so they gave me an installation guide that helped me heaps. Their colour range has modern colours, i went with Sand which looks great. Like the guy above me, it does come with a 50 year warranty too, wouldn’t hesitate to use the product again.