From Design to Savings

The Benefit of Lightweight Cladding

by Karine Galla, Director of Product Management, Sto Corp.

(Editor’s Note: Karine Galla is the Director of Product Management for Sto® Corp.  She has more than 20 years of experience in product marketing in EIFS, stucco, air and moisture barriers, and other materials.  Galla has a master’s degree from the University of Lyon, France.  She is multilingual and holds AWCI’s EIFS Doing it Right and Building Envelope Doing it Right certifications, as well as the ISO Internal Lead Auditor certification from Georgia Tech.)

With advancements in material science, the benefits of lightweight cladding are becoming increasingly evident.  The heavy materials that were staples of construction in the past are no longer necessary to achieve the look of actual brick, wood, concrete, or metal.  All these aesthetic appearances for building exteriors can now be achieved using lightweight claddings.  But that is just where the benefits of lightweight cladding begin.

         Lightweight cladding is durable, easier to maneuver, more energy efficient, and provides greater design freedom for architects.  It is a better overall choice for most projects.  But what many don’t realize is that lightweight cladding also starts saving money right out of the gate.  We’ll tell you exactly where and how, but first, we need to define lightweight cladding because the term is, quite frankly, overused.

Lightweight Cladding Defined

         Many types of cladding are often considered lightweight, such as fiber cement, EIFS, aluminum, and stainless-steel cladding.  However, for our purposes, we are focused on more than the aesthetic skin; we are talking about cladding that is part of an entire system that weighs about two pounds per foot and includes all four of the building enclosure control layers: the air control layer, the water penetration control layer, the vapor control layer, and the thermal control layer.

         A complete, pre-engineered system performs better, saves money over the long term, and is covered by one warranty.  Okay, now that we are all on the same page, let’s discuss how lightweight cladding can save you money.  

Logistical Savings

         This one may go without saying, but lightweight cladding is lighter and takes up less space than bulky, heavy traditional cladding.  So, there are smaller, lighter loads to transport to the job site and, likely, fewer trucks required.  That adds up to significant savings on transportation costs.  Another benefit of being smaller and lighter is that lightweight cladding is easier and safer to maneuver around the job site, making installation quicker and more straightforward, which is ideal for meeting tight project deadlines.  Also, products can be ordered based on design specifications to ensure no on-site waste or clean-up is required.

Structural Savings

         Lightweight claddings are ideal for retrofits as they can be adhered to a structurally sound existing structure, avoiding a tear-down.  A refresh using lightweight cladding allows you to modernize an old building, making it more visually appealing and energy efficient.  But lightweight cladding makes sense on a new build, as well.  Lightweight cladding has a lower deflection and puts less stress on the building’s structure.  During the design phase, there may be the opportunity to use lighter and less expensive framing materials, such as steel. 

Maintenance & Repair Savings

         Lightweight cladding is also incredibly easy to repair.  With traditional materials, repairs were slow and labor-intensive.  With lightweight cladding, you fix only the damaged area.  There are no heavy panels and materials to remove and waste.  A more targeted fix means a quicker, more cost-effective fit.  Labor savings are also a factor as handling lightweight material is much easier and safer, thus leading to less physical stress and reduced injury risks.

Thermal Efficiency Savings

         If the lightweight cladding includes exterior continuous insulation–EPS, GPS, XPS, or mineral wool–that thermal control layer will ensure a tighter building envelope, reducing HVAC load and lowering utility bills by as much as 30%.  If that continuous insulation layer is adhered instead of fastened, it eliminates thermal bridging, provides optimal insulation properties, and maximizes energy efficiency.

         While the initial cost of lightweight exterior wall cladding materials may be slightly higher than heavier alternatives, the potential for savings in material, labor, energy, and maintenance costs over the building’s lifespan often makes them a more cost-effective choice in the long run.

Saving the Planet

         Now that you’ve seen the many ways lightweight claddings can save you money, let’s talk about how it can help you reduce your carbon footprint.  Carbon emissions from the building sector are significant, and they have an impact on our environment.  In fact, according to the New Buildings Institute, “Building operations and construction-related activities are responsible for approximately 39% of humanity‘s global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.  More than a fourth of those are embodied carbon emissions, those associated with the production of building materials, construction activities, operations, and end of life.”  Therefore, both embodied and operational carbon are crucial considerations in today’s construction sphere.

         So, how can lightweight cladding help reduce our impact on the planet?  As mentioned, lightweight materials are thinner, lighter, and take up less space during transit.  This translates into fewer trucks and less gas.  Plus, lightweight materials make for a lighter load to haul, which impacts fuel efficiency.  For every thousand pounds you add to a truckload, fuel economy drops by an estimated 0.5 percent.  Reducing the weight of materials shipped across multiple truckloads can significantly reduce environmental impacts and carbon emissions.

Seeing is Believing is Saving

         While the initial cost of some lightweight cladding materials may be higher than traditional options, the long-term cost savings often outweigh the initial investment.  Reduced energy consumption, lower maintenance expenses, and faster construction can significantly benefit building owners.