Commercial buildings come in all shapes and sizes, including some that may look a lot like residential homes, while having vastly different needs. A commercial building needs to have a well-maintained exterior in order to make the best impression on the people visiting it each day.
It also needs to stay as low maintenance as possible in order to maximize profits for the company that owns it.
There are many materials on the market for cladding the exterior of a commercial building. Not all of them are going to perform the way that building owners need, however.
Commercial Building Siding Materials
Learning about the various materials available to make the most informed decision about what will be right for your commercial building will vastly benefit you and your space.
Stucco Siding
Stucco is a surprisingly popular option for many commercial buildings. It can take on several different styles and can be painted in a range of colors to complement different architectures and areas. It’s slightly less maintenance than wood, and can sometimes hold onto color better if it’s applied properly.
Stucco can give your building a contemporary appearance, so it’s good for commercial buildings that want a simple exterior without a lot of decorations. This can limit it in terms of how many buildings it may be a good fit for.
If you want something more decorative, or you want to change styles to highlight parts of the building, stucco may not be the best fit.
Despite the fact that it may hold color better than wood, stucco can still peel and be damaged by moisture. It’s also difficult to install properly, meaning that you will need to ensure that this is put on by an expert in the field.
Repairs will also require an expert in order to prevent patch jobs from becoming very obvious. Areas prone to rain will need to do a lot of upkeep and maintenance on the exterior of the building in order to keep it looking good.
Wood Siding
Wood siding is one of the most common options for the exterior of most residential buildings as well as many commercial properties. It comes in various sizes, can be painted a range of colors, and is fairly versatile in style.
Wood does require a lot of maintenance and upkeep, however, which can put a strain on the maintenance budget of the building. It needs to be periodically scraped and repainted, and the boards will need to be checked for insect activity or rot.
Some boards may also require frequent replacement, further eating up the budget. Wood is also not naturally flame retardant, which can be an issue for some buildings located in disaster-prone areas.
Finally, wood is not the best material when creating a more contemporary style for the exterior of some commercial buildings. It does come in numerous options for decorative styles and can let you create some rustic looks that can be more difficult with stucco or aluminum, but once you get to the contemporary looks, it runs out of steam.
Aluminum Siding
Aluminum siding comes and goes in popularity as people search for a truly low maintenance material. On paper, aluminum fits the bill. It doesn’t peel or chip the way wood will, and it doesn’t tend to crack or melt at lower temperatures like vinyl. It also comes in a few different styles, which can be appealing for a wider range of property owners.
Aluminum does fade, however, which will mean frequent paint jobs to keep it looking its best. It will also dent if impacted, and the dents are not always easy to remove without replacing the plank. The siding may also be loud at times, which may not be ideal for some commercial properties.
Aluminum does have a few options available when it comes to styles, but it’s still slightly limited. You can find aluminum in lap siding, which works if you’re trying to give your commercial building a more residential feel.
Your other option is corrugated panels, which have an industrial look. If your building doesn’t fit either of these styles, though, you may want to look elsewhere.
Vinyl Siding
Vinyl siding is often considered a low maintenance alternative to wood. It’s made of plastic that has the color embedded right through, so there’s no painting or peeling. It can also be used as a rainscreen in wet areas, eliminating the need for additional layers or furring strips, cutting down on installation costs.
Unfortunately, vinyl is not as low maintenance as it seems. It can crack in cold weather and melt in high temperatures. It is not flame retardant and can also help spread flames into the upper stories of a building.
It also has very limited styles for commercial buildings, which may need something different or more modern to help set them apart. Your options with vinyl are limited to lap siding and some shingle-look planks. Anything decorative or distinctive isn’t an option for vinyl at this time.
Fiber Cement Siding
Fiber cement siding is a low maintenance option for commercial buildings that comes in a wide range of colors and styles, including contemporary architectural panels. The color is designed to last for several years while resisting peeling or fading. This means that you can keep your maintenance costs down for the exterior of the building.
Fiber cement is also non-combustible and resistant to insects and moisture. It’s rot-resistant and doesn’t require a lot of special handling or installation. This makes it a great choice for commercial buildings that need a quality, durable, and attractive material that will last for years with less upkeep and maintenance.
Fiber cement can also match nearly any style of building. You can create something rustic with cedar-look shakes, something decorative with octagonal shingles, or you can go contemporary with panels. The range of choices with fiber cement is much greater than with other materials, making this a good fit no matter what your building’s style.
Make the Right Choice for Your Commercial Property
Commercial buildings have needs that go above and beyond those of residential homes. Make sure you’re meeting all of those needs both now and down the road by choosing a durable, low maintenance material. Fiber cement meets all the needs of your commercial business and will look great for many years to come.
Make the switch to fiber cement from Allura to get the best there is to offer for your property.
