Cladding is used primarily to protect another material on the exterior of homes around the roof. However, cladding can significantly improve the look of a home, as well as protect it from damage. When looking for cladding the following factors should be taken into consideration: water resistance, cost, thermal insulation, visual appeal and durability.

Wood is a popular cladding material due to its natural durability, the choice of types of wood available and, as long as the wood has been treated and is looked after, its weather resistance and durability. Despite the obvious vulnerability to fire with the popular choices of spruce, cedar and pine, wood is and will continue to be a popular home cladding material.

Stone cladding is thin layer of stone or simulated stone that is applied to a wall made of material other than stone, such as concrete or steel. Granite, limestone, sandstone, marble and slate are some of the materials used. The advantage of stone cladding is its permanence, and also its aesthetic appeal. The disadvantages are the possibility of trapped moisture within the walls of the building, and the difficulty of installing and removing. Stone will not trap heat, and is therefore an effective cladding for hot climates; in cold climates, an insulated layer can be used to prevent heat loss.

Brick is easier to use, and can come in a variety of forms, textures and colors, making it a flexible material to work with. It is aesthetically appealing, and imparts a look of sturdiness and permanence. It is an effective rain screen and requires minimal maintenance. However, traditional sized bricks are heavy, expensive, and require skilled workers. Innovative alternatives are brick slips, tiles, large format clay blocks, thin joint brickwork, and preassembled panels. There are literally hundreds of brick cladding styles to choose from.

Whilst concrete costs less than other cladding materials and do not require much maintenance, plastic cladding is easier to install and consequently is often preferred by homeowners as a cladding material. However, concrete is also successful in providing good water resistance and insulation.

An alternative to traditional cladding materials of wood, brick and concrete is Stucco. Made from lime, water, sand and cement, Stucco is a popular, durable cladding material that is water resistant and looks good on the exterior of any home.

Exterior Insulation and Finish System (EIFS) is a multi-layered wall system consisting of foam plastic insulation under two synthetic coatings. The finished surface has the appearance of stucco. EIFS has suffered in reputation because of widespread discovery of severe water damage due to a lack of vapor barrier in the sheathing, which has been replaced by drainage EIFS which uses a secondary weather barrier.