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As a property owner, you will be familiar with the neverending list of maintenance and small repair jobs which can quickly mount up around your home, and it can feel a little overwhelming sometimes to figure out where an investment of time and money is going to add value. If your cladding has seen better days and you have a block of good weather ahead, or you are thinking about selling or renovating your property, now is a good time to think about refreshing your exterior with a recladding project.
Recladding is a fairly significant job, it can be time-consuming, and it definitely needs a highly professional approach. It will need to be undertaken in sections, and you will need a team on the job that understands the importance of protecting your property from moisture ingress throughout the project. Hiring builders who have extensive recladding experience will also ensure that when the cladding comes off, whatever damage is revealed underneath will be addressed quickly and well before your structure gets a fresh, new look.
In this article, we will discuss three signs that will indicate that you need to book recladding, and we will chat about the advantages this provides for your property. Let’s get started.
The condition of your cladding is vital to the weather tightness of your property. In New Zealand, we use a range of cladding materials, including timber, natural stone, fibre cement, brick and brick veneer and metal cladding. It is also very common these days to come across uPVC cladding, which is formed into weatherboard shapes, and some properties have stucco or concrete cladding.
Cladding will naturally deteriorate over time, and even if your cladding has remained weathertight, you may feel like it looks a bit shabby or that the materials used are outdated. If you are dealing with heavy deterioration, recladding is crucial to ensure your home remains energy-efficient and weather-resistant.
Here are three signs your home is in need of recladding:
One of the most obvious signs it’s time to book recladding is when you become aware of visible damage. This indicates that the material is no longer performing effectively and needs to be replaced. Ignoring visible deterioration is ill-advised, as when your weather tightness has been compromised, damage will snowball quickly. Addressing deterioration in the early stages will ensure that minor issues don’t escalate to the point where you are dealing with extensive structural damage. It’s far better to be proactive, and you may find it saves you money in the long run; if you are unsure what constitutes deterioration, book an inspection with a reputable builder.
Damp homes are unhealthy homes, and if you want to avoid mould, mildew, fungus, rot and the potential for respiratory issues, you need to maintain a weathertight property. Leaks, water spots and discolouration on walls, saggy ceiling lining, corroded screws and nails and swollen architraves and skirting boards can all be interior indicators that your cladding has failed. Even your carpet can show signs of moisture ingress, and you may notice a musty smell and unsightly stains.
If your energy bills have been steadily increasing or you have noticed a sudden jump in costs, it could be because your cladding is deteriorating or has suddenly failed in a vital spot. Good cladding will provide an extra layer of insulation for your property as it reduces thermal bridging (loss of heat in weaker spots), can prevent heat loss and contributes to your overall energy efficiency. When your energy bill goes up, so does your carbon footprint, so if you are looking at a more sustainable living approach, recladding is a great place to start.
While visible deterioration, moisture ingress and a leap in the charges your energy provider is forwarding every month are good indicators that recladding is advisable, you may have hidden deterioration occurring, and it pays to be vigilant as your house ages. Most of us have a bit of knowledge about the crisis that occurred regarding leaky buildings in New Zealand in the period from 1988 to 2004, so if your house was constructed during this time, it is particularly important to be certain that you check that your cladding is doing its job.
We understand that your home is your biggest investment, and alongside retaining and adding value to your property, you want to feel a sense of pride when you pull up into your driveway.
While you may choose recladding to ensure your property remains a healthy place to live and you are able to retain or add value to your investment, lots of property owners reclad as a way to ensure that the property remains looking its best as the years roll by. Recladding can be highly transformative from an aesthetic standpoint, and beyond weather protection, a well-maintained property will have better curb appeal and will generally command a higher market value should you be looking to sell. Refreshing your property with recladding can involve shifting to a more contemporary material, and if you have an older home, this may even be the primary reason for your project.
The key to a successful recladding project is selecting the right team. This type of work can quickly reveal hidden complexities, and if your construction company has extensive experience, proper qualifications and a broad skill set, you can access greater peace of mind.
If you want to add value, increase durability, and improve your energy efficiency while you give yourself the gift of a fantastic-looking property, our team of experts can help you with residential construction services.
Get in touch with QBS for recladding today. We are NZCB-approved, and our approach revolves around quality, dedication, communication and building and maintaining the highest levels of trust with every client.
