9 Cladding and Design Ideas for Facades
From paint to cladding materials, find out how to add an element of wow to the exteriors of your home
The facade of a home not only plays a key role in making a great first impression but also expresses the personality of its occupants and the space it holds inside. Exteriors can be a great place to design and experiment with colours, cladding materials and finishes. It is advisable to decide the basic finishes or cladding materials of the building’s exteriors during the design phase itself, to ensure smooth construction at site.
If you are constructing your home or want to upgrade an existing facade, here are some inspiring ideas to consider.
If you are constructing your home or want to upgrade an existing facade, here are some inspiring ideas to consider.
2. Introduce high pressure laminates
Give a chic look to your home with HPL – high pressure laminates. These laminates are durable, easy to maintain, light-weight, termite-resistant, non-porous and easy to install. They are available in a variety of shades and patterns that replicate wood finishes and do not fade with continuous exposure to sunlight.
In this bungalow, HPL in wood finish is selectively used to create a modern facade. Brands like Century Exteria have such products on offer.
Tip: As regular maintenance, damp-wipe the HPL surface with diluted soap water, followed by a dry wipe. Avoid the use of detergents, since they can damage the UV film on the HPL panels.
Give a chic look to your home with HPL – high pressure laminates. These laminates are durable, easy to maintain, light-weight, termite-resistant, non-porous and easy to install. They are available in a variety of shades and patterns that replicate wood finishes and do not fade with continuous exposure to sunlight.
In this bungalow, HPL in wood finish is selectively used to create a modern facade. Brands like Century Exteria have such products on offer.
Tip: As regular maintenance, damp-wipe the HPL surface with diluted soap water, followed by a dry wipe. Avoid the use of detergents, since they can damage the UV film on the HPL panels.
3. Bring lightness with glass panels
Create an indoor-outdoor connect with glass in areas that open out into the balcony or the lawn. Glass ensures a sense of lightness in this all-white villa; also it lets ample light into the interiors.
Create an indoor-outdoor connect with glass in areas that open out into the balcony or the lawn. Glass ensures a sense of lightness in this all-white villa; also it lets ample light into the interiors.
4. Colour contrast in paint
An affordable way to highlight certain design details in the facade is by introducing colours in paint. Just as in this home, where beige is selectively used on the perforated cement railings to create a subtle contrast against the white backdrop of the building. The black front door with golden motifs and the black granite risers on the steps create a bold statement and break the monotony of an all-white entrance.
Find out where to use which paint
An affordable way to highlight certain design details in the facade is by introducing colours in paint. Just as in this home, where beige is selectively used on the perforated cement railings to create a subtle contrast against the white backdrop of the building. The black front door with golden motifs and the black granite risers on the steps create a bold statement and break the monotony of an all-white entrance.
Find out where to use which paint
Transform a bland facade into a striking exterior with clever use of colours. In this building, charcoal grey and white are used to a create stark contrast in the elevation; the vertical metal bands in yellow and red add a pop of colour and draw immediate attention.
Tip: Keep in mind that lighter colours reflect heat while dark colours tend to absorb heat into the building; so choose your colours wisely.
Tip: Keep in mind that lighter colours reflect heat while dark colours tend to absorb heat into the building; so choose your colours wisely.
5. Terracotta tiles for a vernacular design
Terracotta cladding is great for Indian weather conditions. The tiles modulate heat according to climate, their look imparts warmth, they are eco-friendly and a smart alternative to exposed brick masonry. Terracotta cladding is made of natural clay and comes with qualities like high durability, good UV resistance, acoustic resistance and heat insulation.
Terracotta cladding is great for Indian weather conditions. The tiles modulate heat according to climate, their look imparts warmth, they are eco-friendly and a smart alternative to exposed brick masonry. Terracotta cladding is made of natural clay and comes with qualities like high durability, good UV resistance, acoustic resistance and heat insulation.
In this Kerala home, the traditional pitched roof is clad in clay tiles – also known locally as Mangalore tiles. These tiles address the local context and are best suited for homes in coastal areas.
Here’s a twist to the traditional clay tiles: in this home the clay tiles are glazed to make coloured roof tiles. Don’t miss how the stained glass adds colour and further depth of detail.
Decorative roof tiles come in various sizes and colours and are quite resistant to fading and the effects of the weather.
Decorative roof tiles come in various sizes and colours and are quite resistant to fading and the effects of the weather.
6. Bring in warmth with stone cladding
Natural stones like sandstone, limestone and travertine are also preferred materials for cladding. They also increase the mechanical strength of the building.
Take a look at this home: thin layers of stone are customised to cover the walls. This cladding material ages very well and looks even more elegant over time.
Tip: Natural stones are porous and tend to get stained by pollutants; ensure that the stone surface is properly sealed at the time of installation.
Natural stones like sandstone, limestone and travertine are also preferred materials for cladding. They also increase the mechanical strength of the building.
Take a look at this home: thin layers of stone are customised to cover the walls. This cladding material ages very well and looks even more elegant over time.
Tip: Natural stones are porous and tend to get stained by pollutants; ensure that the stone surface is properly sealed at the time of installation.
7. Tile cladding for a modern look
Porcelain tiles suitable for the outdoors are available in several colours, designs and textures. They are made from a blend of fine-grained clay and other materials. Porcelain tiles have enhanced properties like moisture resistance, durability, ability to withstand weather and colour-fastness in the presence of UV rays.
Porcelain tiles suitable for the outdoors are available in several colours, designs and textures. They are made from a blend of fine-grained clay and other materials. Porcelain tiles have enhanced properties like moisture resistance, durability, ability to withstand weather and colour-fastness in the presence of UV rays.
How about tiling an outdoor space with glass mosaic tiles? These tiny tiles are arranged on a fibreglass mesh for easy installation. They are resistant to stains and mould, and are easy to clean. Here, in this example, glass mosaic is used as cladding to create a boundary around the swimming pool.
Tip: Consider glass mosaic to create an element of interest with outdoor wall murals; they are available in a large range of colours and offer endless design possibilities.
Tip: Consider glass mosaic to create an element of interest with outdoor wall murals; they are available in a large range of colours and offer endless design possibilities.
8. A traditional look with jalis
See how latticed metal has been used in this facade as jalis. The mystic effect created by light gently filtering through the perforated screen instantly adds drama to the exteriors.
One can also consider solid surface to create lattice screens; it is resistant to chemicals and creates a seamless finish.
Is solid surface a wonder material?
See how latticed metal has been used in this facade as jalis. The mystic effect created by light gently filtering through the perforated screen instantly adds drama to the exteriors.
One can also consider solid surface to create lattice screens; it is resistant to chemicals and creates a seamless finish.
Is solid surface a wonder material?
9. Go industrial with metal
For a bold industrial look, go for aluminium composite panels or metals like steel as a cladding material. In this home, the dark grey and brown metal panels combine with large glass panels to form a modern industrial exterior.
Tip: Make sure to treat the metal with adequate protective coatings before cladding.
Note: In coastal areas, the metal can corrode and discolour due to oxidation due to moisture- and salt-laden air.
For a bold industrial look, go for aluminium composite panels or metals like steel as a cladding material. In this home, the dark grey and brown metal panels combine with large glass panels to form a modern industrial exterior.
Tip: Make sure to treat the metal with adequate protective coatings before cladding.
Note: In coastal areas, the metal can corrode and discolour due to oxidation due to moisture- and salt-laden air.
Yellow steel panels recycled from shipping containers are smartly used give a twist to the traditional Delhi barsati.
See more of this home
Read more:
What Contemporary Facades Do
Tell us:
What are your suggestions for cladding materials? Let us know in the Comments section below.
See more of this home
Read more:
What Contemporary Facades Do
Tell us:
What are your suggestions for cladding materials? Let us know in the Comments section below.
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Nothing beats the natural beauty of wood. This cladding is available in the form of wooden planks that can be cut to size. For long-term durability, it is recommended you go for weathered (seasoned) wood that is treated for termite resistance and with proper sealants before installation.
A recent innovation is wood plastic composite or WPC cladding. This is a hybrid material made from a combination of recycled wood and plastic to create a maintenance-free surface that replicates the look of wood.