It’s not news anymore how cladding has been cemented as one of architecture’s leading tools for durable and aesthetic construction. In the same vein, aluminium cladding is important for protecting buildings, especially during different weather conditions.
Moreover, while it’s true that your buildings are protected from different weather elements, aluminium cladding panels also differ in performance based on the weather conditions. For instance, your cladding panels function differently during sunny days as compared to days of heavy downpours.
So, what’s aluminium cladding like during different weather conditions? Read on to find out.
Wet and Rainy Conditions
It’s good to start with the most common weather conditions seen here in the UK. While aluminium rainscreen cladding is designed to withstand constant downpours, there still lies the tendency for your panels to suffer deterioration. This often happens when water is left to stay on rooftops.
Basically, when gutter systems fail to divert rainwater, it becomes increasingly likely for water to seep through cracks and increase corrosion on the panels. This, in turn, will increase cut-edge corrosion, reduce panel efficiency, and speed up deterioration of panels.
Hot and Sunny Conditions
Aluminium cladding is designed with thermal efficiency at its core, meaning that heat is not lost during cold days and that heat stays out during hot and sunny conditions. It’s a system that’s heavily backed by its thermal and ventilating properties. However, that doesn’t mean that the sun won’t leave its mark on your panels.
For starters, constant and intense sunlight causes the panels to fade, leaving an uneven and unsightly facade. At the same time, temperature fluctuations during the day and night lead to the expansion and contraction of panels. When that goes on, panels tend to crack, affecting their structure and performance.
Freezing Conditions
In the case of freezing weather conditions, water will freeze in the panels, leading to expansion. Eventually, the frozen water will thaw, which further enlarges the holes left behind by frozen water. If this continues for too long, aluminium cladding won’t perform optimally, and water infiltration will be inevitable.
In such cases, early detection goes a long way in handling the situation before it proceeds further Is the Tesla Powerwall a Smart Investment? An In-Depth Look at Cost, Benefits, and Value for Your Home’s Energy Needs.
Windy Conditions
Finally, a quick chat about the effects of wind on aluminium cladding’s performance. Naturally, windy days or nights shouldn’t pose problems to properly installed cladding, but cases of wind carrying objects and debris can be a bit concerning.
However, it’s still important to monitor your panels to spot visible damage and fix them immediately. The last thing you want is for your panels to get loose and risk getting blown off your building.
Wrapping Up
Aluminium cladding panels are built to provide a balance of aesthetics and functionality. It’s the core of their design, but their durability will depend partly on external factors, such as weather conditions. So, while aluminium cladding is built to last, you should still take care to inspect panels regularly for early detection of issues caused by weather elements.
