Building cladding: How to choose the right roof and wall cladding for your building
Find out with us which building claddings are suitable for which requirements and what you should consider when selecting them.
A well-considered and carefully planned building cladding plays a decisive role in industrial construction. It influences not only the energy efficiency, weather protection, safety and durability of the building, but also its appearance. Whether robust trapezoidal sheet metal, well-insulated sandwich panels or light-permeable glass façades – each building cladding for roofs and walls has its advantages and disadvantages.
Important aspects when deciding on a building cladding
A building cladding influences the functionality, cost-effectiveness and safety of a building. Roof and wall claddings should always be matched to the specific usage concept, as different requirements call for different solutions. The choice of building cladding is therefore usually a strategic decision in which many aspects must be taken into account:
- Insulation properties & energy efficiency: An insulated building cladding ensures a stable indoor climate and helps minimise heating and cooling costs. In buildings that are used all year round or in which sensitive goods are stored, good thermal insulation helps save energy.
- Weather resistance & durability: Industrial buildings are exposed to various weather influences – whether rain, snow, wind or strong UV radiation. Our materials are particularly durable and resistant to environmental influences.
- Fire protection requirements: Compliance with statutory fire protection regulations is essential. Depending on how the building is used, certain construction materials may be required to meet fire protection standards and ensure safety.
- Costs & maintenance effort: The cost-effectiveness of roof and wall cladding is determined not only by acquisition costs but also by long-term maintenance requirements. Robust, low-maintenance materials reduce this and help lower operating costs. Nevertheless, fixings, wind bracing and similar structural elements should be checked regularly to ensure the safety and durability of the building.
- Aesthetics & corporate image: A well-designed building cladding can positively influence a company’s appearance. With a high-quality look, you reinforce brand identity and leave a professional impression on customers and business partners.
Types of building claddings at a glance
Temporary buildings from HTS-TENTIQ can be precisely adapted to specific customer requirements through various wall and roof claddings. With additional equipment options, temporary buildings for industry and commerce can be made even more functional and customised. We present the different types of building claddings in more detail:
Sandwich panels: Efficient insulation for walls and roofs
Sandwich panels for roofs and walls are among the highest-quality building claddings. They are particularly suitable for high requirements in terms of thermal insulation and energy efficiency. They are also available in a walkable version, which enables the installation of photovoltaic systems on the roof of the building.
Sandwich panels consist of two robust metal layers made of steel. Between them is a high-performance insulation core made of rigid foam. This makes them thermally insulating and energy-efficient. An additional outer coating increases protection against weather influences such as moisture and UV radiation. Sandwich panels are available in different core thicknesses to meet varying requirements for thermal insulation and structural load-bearing capacity. They are suitable for both roof and wall installation and offer flexible application possibilities in building construction.
Advantages:
- excellent thermal insulation
- high weather resistance
- very good sound insulation
- suitable for installation of photovoltaic systems
- stable and durable
- high-quality appearance
- resistant to mould and fungi
- non-combustible, building material class A1
- available in various colour options
Disadvantages:
- higher acquisition costs compared to other materials
- less flexible for later modifications
- heavier than other building claddings
Applications:
In building construction, sandwich panels are particularly suitable for applications that require constant temperatures, such as production facilities, warehouses or exhibition buildings. In the food processing, chemical or pharmaceutical industries, precise climatic conditions are necessary in order not to compromise products and raw materials. Temperature must also remain stable in plastics and metal processing to ensure consistent material processing. Accurate temperature control is also required in many warehouses. In particular, goods such as food, medicines or sensitive electronic components must be protected from temperature fluctuations. In addition, an insulated building cladding also plays an important role in large multipurpose buildings.
Trapezoidal sheet metal claddings: Robust and cost-effective solution
Trapezoidal sheet metal is a tried-and-tested and cost-effective solution for building claddings. It offers high stability and resistance. Depending on requirements, it can be coated or uncoated and used as either wall or roof cladding.
A trapezoidal sheet metal wall cladding is recognisable by its characteristic trapezoidal profiling. This provides additional stability and resistance to external influences such as wind, rain and snow. Trapezoidal sheets are also corrosion-resistant and maintenance-free. For individual adaptation to corporate design, the sheet metal cladding for walls and roofs from HTS TENTIQ is available in various colour options.
Advantages:
- cost-effective purchase and economical solution
- very robust and load-bearing
- long service life
- weather-resistant and maintenance-free
- quick and easy installation
- high stability
- protection against break-ins
- non-combustible (building material class A1)
Disadvantages:
- No integrated thermal insulation
- Limited sound insulation
Applications:
Trapezoidal sheet metal claddings are often used for storage and logistics buildings. They reliably protect goods from weather conditions and enable fast construction. They are also common in machinery and equipment buildings, where they securely house agricultural or industrial machinery. For vehicle and maintenance buildings, they provide protection for lorries, buses and other vehicles without requiring high insulation standards.
In recycling and waste management, sheet metal building claddings ensure weather-resistant and corrosion-free buildings that are suitable for the storage and processing of materials. Workshops and production facilities, where no specific temperature control is required, benefit from the durable and virtually maintenance-free construction.
PVC tarpaulins: Flexible and cost-effective alternative
PVC tarpaulins offer a quick, simple and flexible way of creating wall cladding and are particularly ideal for temporary or mobile solutions.
The cost-effective PVC building cladding consists of high-quality industrial-grade polyvinyl chloride (PVC) that is weather-resistant and durable. The tarpaulins are particularly lightweight and can be quickly installed, dismantled, stored or replaced. They are manufactured as standard in a translucent white to ensure maximum natural lighting. Thanks to UV resistance and mould resistance, they also offer extended durability. In addition, they comply with international fire safety regulations, making them a safe option.
One of the main advantages of PVC tarpaulins is their low cost. They are easy to install and can be quickly replaced or extended if required. They also allow daylight to pass through, which helps reduce electricity costs for any necessary lighting. For a certain level of insulation, double-skin thermal roof tarpaulins can be used.
Advantages:
- cost-effective
- easy to install
- very tear-resistant
- quickly replaceable or expandable if required
- light-permeable
- moisture-repellent and fungicidal
- flame-retardant (building material class B1)
- easy to maintain
- repairable in case of tears or holes
Disadvantages:
- low thermal insulation (thermal roof tarpaulins or thermal roof tarpaulins with fleece for improved insulation) or no insulation (single-skin roof tarpaulins)
- no sound insulation
- no protection against break-ins
- not suitable for temperature-sensitive goods and products
Would you like to insulate your building even more efficiently? Find out more here in our brochure about thermal roof tarpaulins with additional insulation.
Applications:
PVC tarpaulins are often used for storage buildings, especially when goods are only stored for a short period and no constant temperature is required. They are also used for roofing structures, as they provide protection from rain and wind while being quick to install and replace. In agriculture, they are primarily used for mobile shelters for machinery, vehicles or livestock housing. Another important area of application is temporary trade fairs and events.
Glass walls: modern appearance with natural daylight entry
Glass walls are the ideal solution for buildings that want to combine a modern design with natural lighting. The durable glass walls from HTS TENTIQ are made of high-quality laminated safety glass. Other configurations are also possible, such as double glazing or insulated glass.
Depending on the desired effect, the glass can be clear, frosted or tinted. Its frame can be made of aluminium or plastic, depending on customer requirements. Fully adapted to the usage concept, glass walls can be installed at any desired position within the building. They can also be combined with single and double doors, offering a highly flexible design range.
Advantages:
- modern and high-quality appearance
- maximum natural daylight entry
- open and professional atmosphere
- various design options, clear, frosted or tinted variants
Disadvantages:
- higher costs for materials and installation
- regular maintenance required
Applications:
Glass walls are particularly suitable for applications where modern architecture and appearance are the objective. Office areas within industrial buildings are used to create a modern working environment with plenty of natural light. In exhibition buildings, showrooms or display areas in lightweight construction, glass walls are integrated to create an open and welcoming atmosphere.
Wall light panels: More brightness for energy-efficient buildings
Wall light elements are transparent components for wall cladding with the same profiling as our trapezoidal sheet metal, allowing them to be easily integrated into walls with trapezoidal sheet metal cladding as required.
They provide a high level of natural daylight entry and thus reduce the need for artificial lighting. They offer high light permeability and can be installed at any position within the building in combination with trapezoidal sheet metal.
Advantages:
- promotes the use of natural daylight
- reduces electricity costs for lighting
- bright working environment
- cost-effective alternative to glass façades
- quick and flexible installation
Disadvantes:
- less stable than solid wall claddings
- limited sound insulation
- may lose transparency over time
Applications:
In production buildings, logistics centres and workshops, wall glass panels create a bright environment and a pleasant working climate. In sports and multipurpose buildings, they provide a friendly atmosphere.
Conclusion: Which building cladding is right for your requirements?
The choice of the right building cladding depends largely on the specific requirements of your industrial building. Factors such as thermal insulation, sound insulation, weather resistance and aesthetics play a decisive role. The location of the building must also be taken into account in the planning process, as climatic conditions and legal requirements can influence the choice of materials.
With a sandwich panel building cladding, your industrial building benefits from optimal thermal insulation and high energy efficiency. Roof and wall claddings made of trapezoidal sheet metal are an economical and robust solution. They are corrosion-resistant and maintenance-free, but do not provide integrated insulation.
For temporary or mobile solutions, PVC sheeting is an ideal building cladding. It is cost-effective, particularly quick to install and translucent, but offers no thermal insulation.
Our recommendations for different applications:
- Production and storage buildings with precise temperature requirements should use sandwich panels for their building cladding, as they provide the best insulation and reduce energy costs.
- Logistics and transhipment facilities that require a robust, maintenance-free solution are best served by roof and wall claddings made of trapezoidal sheet metal. They ensure long-term stability and low maintenance costs.
- Showrooms and exhibition spaces benefit from glass walls, which create a high-quality, light-filled environment.
- Temporary or mobile solutions such as industrial tents find a cost-efficient alternative in PVC tarpaulins, which can be quickly installed and replaced.
- Industrial buildings for storage, logistics or workshops with a focus on natural lighting can integrate light strip elements to reduce energy costs and create a pleasant working environment.
For individual advice tailored to your specific use, contact the planning experts at HTS-TENTIQ.
Our Expertise
FAQs: We answer your questions about building cladding
The building cladding has a significant impact on energy efficiency, as good insulation reduces heating and cooling costs. It also determines durability by providing protection against weather conditions and wear. In the long term, the right choice has a strong effect on operating costs.
Which building cladding is best suited depends on the intended use of an industrial building. In addition, location and climate are also taken into account when selecting the building cladding in order to align weather protection and insulation accordingly. Legal requirements such as fire protection must also be observed. Another important criterion included in the selection is the budget.
Sandwich panels provide very good thermal insulation as a building cladding, as their insulating core effectively minimises heat loss. When fitted with a mineral wool core, they also meet fire protection requirements. Trapezoidal sheet metal is stable and resistant, but without integrated insulation. It is non-combustible (building material class A1). Simple PVC tarpaulins offer hardly any insulation and are classified as flame-retardant building materials (building material class B1).
For office spaces, production or sales buildings, an optimal working environment is essential. Sandwich panels offer the best solution for this, as their excellent insulation reduces temperature fluctuations and increases energy efficiency. This creates a pleasant indoor climate and a comfortable working environment for employees.
High-quality cladding materials and individual design options are essential for an attractive building appearance. For a cost-effective alternative, light strip elements provide brightness and energy efficiency. In addition, the professional and stylish appearance of the building is enhanced through colour options and customised solutions.
Sandwich panels are a particularly suitable building cladding for temperature-controlled storage buildings. Their high insulating performance reduces heat loss and ensures a constant internal temperature. The higher the core thickness, the lower the U-value. This enables maximum energy efficiency. In addition, sandwich panels protect against condensation and weather influences, which improves the durability of stored goods.
Protection against break-ins for your building starts with robust and solid materials. Sandwich panels and trapezoidal sheet metal claddings provide reliable protection against unauthorised access due to their stable construction. PVC tarpaulins are less secure, as they can be easily damaged. Additional security measures can be achieved with accessories such as reinforced doors or window grilles.