You can transform your house by re-cladding its exterior. Unlike a paint job, which only changes the colour, new cladding alters the texture and profile of a house's walls. One material option to consider is metal, different types of which are used for external walls. Here are several alternative materials and design possibilities.
Steel
Steel cladding comes in diverse colours and designs, allowing you to update your home with different aesthetics. One option is metal sheets with a standing seam profile, which will give a house an edgy industrial look. You could combine this cladding with other materials like brick and timber, putting each material over one section of the walls. A benefit of steel cladding is that it can be used for the roof as well. On a two-storey house, you could use bricks for the lower floor and steel for the upper story and roof.
If you want to take your house in a different direction, you could opt for white steel cladding with a profile that mimics horizontal weatherboards. If you have a traditional cottage or coastal home, you could use a classic metal orb profile in a pale grey or beige for the roof. Durable and strong, steel cladding is protected with various layers that stop rust from forming.
Aluminium
Aluminium is another metal that can be fashioned into house cladding with varied looks. It's lightweight and malleable and can be shaped and treated to appear like timber. You could create an external accent wall out of what appears to be vertical strips of wood but are actually aluminium. Because this metal is relatively lightweight, it's often easier to handle than alternatives like steel and timber.
Aluminium, like steel, comes in various profiles and colours to suit different architectures. It's often powder-coated, which is more durable than standard paint. Powder coating melds the colour to the metal, making it unlikely to chip or flake away. Aluminium is naturally resistant to rust, termites and fire.
Additional Metal Options
Additional cladding options to consider include iron and zinc. Iron comes in various profiles, but it may be susceptible to rust depending on its finish. Zinc is very long-lasting and naturally rust-resistant, but the panels can be softer and more likely to dent than alternatives such as steel. A benefit of using metal for your house's cladding is that many kinds are recyclable, which limits any negative impacts on the environment.