Exterior cladding methods: A technoeconomic analysis

The continual development in building components and the significant increase in the proportion of high-rise building lead to an extended use of new methods of exterior cladding. The selection of a cladding system incorporates various aspects, among which the more significant are: physical and visual performance, life span of the cladding, and economic considerations. This paper focuses on the systematic examination and comparison of four different categories of cladding methods based on technological and economic criteria. The categories of claddings are: cementitious stucco, synthetic finish stucco, ceramic, and natural stone. The economic analysis, based on life-cycle cost (LCC) and on life-span estimates was arrived at by an analysis following onsite observations. It is shown that in "noncorrosive" environments, cementitious stucco is preferable to alternatives, particularly in low-rise buildings. In "corrosive" environments, synthetic and ceramic mosaic claddings are preferable to the alternatives examined.