Wall cladding refers to interior and exterior coverings that go over the frame, insulation and drywall of a building. "Cladding" is an old term for covering. Traditionally, exterior cladding was wood, brick or stone. Today, there are many options for types of cladding, and myriad cladding suppliers.

Learning wall cladding basics starts with understanding what types of interior and exterior cladding are available, where you can buy cladding products for construction, and how to make your cladding project green. A short course in cladding information can make you more informed when you're dealing with wall cladding contractors. Here are three wall cladding basics:

1. Liven up the inside of a building with interior cladding.

2. Keep out heat, cold and rain with exterior wall clad.

3. Go green with environmentally safe wall cladding sellers.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Find the right interior cladding and wall cladding providers

Interior cladding has come a long way since the dark wood paneling of the 1960s and '70s. Faux finishes like stone and bamboo are available, and even wood interior cladding is now much more sophisticated. Even one type of cladding, such as stone, is available in many different materials, so you can choose the weight and finish -- and ease of installation -- of your cladding.

I recommend: You can find a wide variety of interior cladding at HiMFR.com. Go to Kellysearch.com for a long list of interior cladding suppliers.

Cover any building beautifully with exterior wall clad

Exterior cladding entered its modern phase with the introduction of permanent siding. While 'siding' has come to mean 'cheap and easy' to many, there are many new options for exterior siding that look rich but work on any budget.

I recommend: The Remodeling + Renovations page on Exterior Siding and Cladding from ElectroSmart Ltd. gives parameters for choosing different types of exterior cladding. At The Old House Web you'll find a goldmine of providers of exterior wall cladding and providers of wall cladding, organized by type of exterior clad.

Consider the planet when choosing cladding or a cladding seller

There are always green options in construction. When it comes to cladding, you can use naturally green or recycled materials. The key is to find a cladding supplier who can provide green materials and green installation.

I recommend: Start with an old "green" favorite: copper's virtues are detailed at Copper.org. Learn about NRG Greenboard at Green Cladding, and get the facts on Dryvit Outsulation at Dryvit is Green. Finally, Elmwood Reclaimed Timber has data on reclaimed wood paneling.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Most providers of wall cladding offer supplies and services for both interior and exterior cladding; see if you can get a price reduction by buying for both jobs at once.

There are several new wall cladding products on the market such as fiber cement cladding and faux stone cladding that are greener, less expensive, last longer and come in a variety of finishes and colors. Home owners prefer these new products because they don’t fade, rot, burn or invite insects and moisture. Contractors prefer them because they're lighter, easier to work with and less expensive. For all these reasons, wall cladding contractors are turning away from traditional exterior sidings such as vinyl, wood and cedar in favor of newer wall cladding products.

Cladding contractors need to know the latest trends and technologies in order to offer greater benefits and services to their customers. When choosing wall cladding, use the following questions to guide you:

1. What kind of installation is required?

2. What is the combustibility rating of the wall cladding?

3. What is the insulation rating?

4. What is the product’s water resistance rating?

5. What is the product’s durability?

6. What kind of wall clad warranty is offered?

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Research the latest wall cladding styles and trends

The top cladding suppliers offer a variety of wall cladding information online, including reasons to purchase, installation guides and comparisons to traditional cladding materials.

I recommend: Siding Innovations is a wall cladding provider that offers a fiber cement product catalog, idea book and a brochure listing the top ten reasons to use fiber cement cladding. Build Direct offers wall cladding info on how to install both fiber cement wall clad and faux stone wall clad. Other articles explain how cladding products for construction are made and the benefits they offer.

Purchase faux stone cladding from cladding suppliers

Faux stone wall cladding is available in a variety of styles, such as marble, granite, limestone, slate and sandstone. It's made by pouring tinted concrete into molds cast from real stones. Once set, the cladding is virtually indistinguishable from real stone. The obvious advantage of faux stone cladding is its light weight and overall ease of installation.

I recommend: Eldorado Stone offers precast faux stone cladding that costs half as much as natural stone. The products’ light weight properties eliminate the need for wall ties or footings. Stone Panels offers composite stone cladding reinforced with an aluminum honeycomb backing. This cladding has enhanced durability, impact resistance, water impenetrability, significant weight reduction and lower project costs.

Order fiber cement cladding from wall cladding providers

Fiber cement cladding is made from cement, sand and cellulose fiber that is steam pressurized. This compact material is most often formed into overlapping horizontal boards that imitate wood siding and shingles. This cladding is easy to cut, carry and install using standard power tools, screws and adhesives.

I recommend: James Hardie is a pioneer in fiber cement wall claddings that specializes in wood mimicking claddings that are strong, durable and fire and insect resistant. Certainteed is a cladding supplier that offers a deeper, more authentic wood grain in a variety of textures and colors.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Wise use of wall claddings can add curb appeal and a strong visual impact to your property which translates into increased value.
• •  The only maintenance faux stone and cement fiber wall claddings need is to be hosed down twice a year.

Wall cladding education and training helps contractors provide new and innovative was to decorate and insulate walls. Companies with employees trained in wall cladding offer their customers a much larger and more creative selection of wall options to choose from. Training for employees does not have to take place at a college or university. Wall cladding training can take place on the weekend or at night in the comfort of the employee's office or home.

When choosing to provide wall cladding education and training for employees, there are three options to select from. Training CDs are available to companies that want to train many employees without paying for travel and seminar expenses. Installation information is available from manufacturers of wall cladding. Online training is also available, with the advantage of training employees from any computer with Internet access. Internet classes charge by student, not by course.

1. Purchase training CDs for classes that focus on wall cladding info.

2. Locate wall cladding installation information from the manufacturers.

3. Enroll in online wall cladding courses.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Locate training CDs for classes about wall cladding

Many wall cladding providers use training CDs to educate their employees on the proper installation of wall clad. These CDs can be used as many times as needed and can be completed at the office or at the employee's home.

I recommend: Master Wall offers a wide range of architectural and applicator training CDs and PDF courses that teach how to use wall cladding products for construction. Visit the Marble Institute of America to find training videos designed for wall cladding contractors using stone.

Find wall cladding installation information from wall cladding manufacturers

Wall cladding manufacturers often offer installation and wall cladding information for their customers. This information is available online as videos, courses or as downloadable documents.

I recommend: BuildDirect provides courses for their customers that cover the installation and use of their wall cladding, also called siding. Eldorado Stone offers wall cladding contractors many online videos. Read information about care and installation of wall cladding at Stone Panels.

Complete an online wall cladding course

Online courses provide your employees with the freedom that CD-training offers as well as a help desk to ask questions when they arise. Some online courses also give employees credits toward a degree after they attend and pass the course.

I recommend: Visit BNP Media for an online wall clad installation course. Take an online course at PDHonline and receive college credits after you pass the course.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Cladding suppliers sell both exterior and interior cladding. Installation training varies in comprehensiveness and content between the different types.