How can Decking and Cladding Modernise an Architectural Build?

Decking and cladding installations can breathe a new lease of life into architectural builds of all varieties. The versatile, easily customisable nature of these materials make them well suited for use on a range of projects – including modernising ones. As the popularity of modern design continues to soar, how can cladding and decking help modernise a project or space?

In this blog from Gripsure, we explore how decking and cladding can modernise an architectural build – outlining a selection of ways in which cladding and decking can be incorporated into the design of a project to create a modern look and feel.

If you need decking or cladding for your architectural project, get a quote from our experts.

When it comes to modernising an indoor or outdoor space, it can be challenging to know where to start. With so many sources of inspiration, finding a design that suits your space can take some work. Depending on the demands of your project, settling on the right design for you can be tricky. Some particularly popular ways of using decking to modernise a space include:

Lighting

Outdoor decking boasts a variety of options when it comes to visually interesting design – one of which is the incorporation of lights. Depending on your desired look, warm or cool-toned lights can be incorporated into decking structures to produce a modern yet inviting appearance.

To improve the aesthetic of your project, coloured lights can also add a modern twist to an existing architectural build. Decking can also offer the opportunity for inbuilt lighting. Some options for inbuilt lighting conceal the light fixtures, allowing decking to feature a ‘lit from within’ appearance. The soft glow provided by inbuilt lighting offers a subtle but effective accentuation of the decking’s shape – resulting in a modernised look.

Railing

Another way in which decking can help modernise a space is though pairing with railings. The striking shapes created by both decking and railing when paired together create a clean and modernised appearance to a deck’s edge.

When looking to modernise an architectural project, such a design might offer a visually interesting contrast to any pre-existing structures too. In addition, both decking and the accompanying railing are available in a number of varieties – allowing for customisation according to the preferences of your project.

Tiered Decking

Another way in which decking can help generate a modern look and feel to a space is through structurally interesting design. For example, a modernising project may opt for tiered decking that offers both defined lines and maximal space.

Tiered decking may be especially suited to projects looking to create a modern multi-use space, whereby each tier of decking fulfils a different purpose. Using decking to segment a space in this way not only offers a modernising touch, but also diversifies the potential uses of a space.

Built-In Seating

Similarly, incorporating seating within decking also helps increase the usability of a space whilst adhering to a modern and minimalistic aesthetic. Again, such design choices will maximise the functionality of your decking without creating clutter or taking away from the sleekness of modern design. Decking with in-build seating also offers a space that is not only elegant – but a great for hosting too. Not to mention the money potentially saved by not needing to purchase additional outdoor seating.

Similar to decking, cladding offers an ideal solution for anyone looking to create a modern and stylish-looking space. Suitable for use indoors and outdoors, cladding (especially timber) combines sleekness with an indoor/outdoor feel reminiscent of eco-architecture – a trend continuing to gain popularity within the modern design space. But what are some ways in which cladding can be used to modernise architectural design?

Creating Contrast

The incorporation of cladding into indoor or outdoor design offers a host of opportunities for creating contrast. Depending on the existing features of your building, cladding varieties such as the bamboo cladding available with Gripsure can help offer structural contrast to otherwise softer spaces – generating multi-dimensionality within a project’s design. In addition, coloured cladding varieties could also assist in the creation of light and shade – this being a design principle often central to modern designs.

Accentuating Features

In addition to creating contrast, cladding can also be used to accentuate existing features in a property or space. For example, properties with interesting architectural features such as multi-story windows could be accompanied by cladding to generate maximum impact. Similar to decking, the addition of cladding around architectural features might also bring about an opportunity for creative and modernising lighting.

Feature Walls

Similarly, cladding also presents opportunities for feature walls within a space. Not only do feature walls add a visually interesting dimension to an architectural project, but cladding also brings a sleek and contemporary finish that cannot be achieved by feature wall created with paint, wallpaper or brick. Not to mention the way in which clad feature walls can break up a larger space, allowing for modernisation without a clinical feel.

Bring the Outdoors In

An increasingly popular use for cladding is within biophilic design. Incorporating outdoor features into inside spaces has been a popular design movement over recent decades.

While bamboo cladding such as that available from Gripsure offers an already natural addition to a space, the incorporation of cladding alongside features such as plant walls could generate a real sustainable or ‘eco’ style within a project. Our non-slip decking could also accentuate any new or existing water installations within an indoor or outdoor area.

Here at Gripsure, we have almost 2 decades of industry experience helping our customers create beautiful and safe spaces using decking and cladding materials. Our Range of non-slip decking includes softwood, hardwood, modified timber and bamboo decking – ideal for use on modernising projects.

We’re committed to continuously improving how we operate and are always seeking to achieve the highest environmental, ethical and safety standards. If you’re looking for guidance on fire-rated decking and cladding materials for your next building project, get in touch.

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