When external cladding looks faded, chalky or dated, building owners face a choice: replace it, or respray it. Re-cladding is the default many people assume they need — but in a large number of cases, on-site cladding spraying delivers the same visual result for a fraction of the cost and disruption.
The cost difference
Re-cladding involves stripping the existing panels, disposing of them, and supplying and fitting a new system — materials, labour, access and waste all stacked together. Respraying reuses the existing, structurally sound panels and simply restores their colour and protective coating. As a rule of thumb, spraying typically costs a fraction of full replacement.
Time and disruption
A re-clad can take weeks or months and often means scaffolding, noise and partial closure. A respray is measured in days, the building stays in use, and there is no tear-out. For occupied offices, retail parks, schools and live sites, that difference is significant.
When does spraying make sense?
- The cladding is structurally sound but faded, chalked or the wrong colour
- You want to rebrand or refresh an elevation
- Minimising disruption and downtime matters
- You want to avoid sending tonnes of cladding to landfill
When is replacement the right call?
If panels are physically failing, delaminating or no longer weathertight, replacement is the correct route. A good contractor will tell you honestly which situation you are in — we always will.
The sustainable option
Respraying keeps existing material in service and avoids the embodied carbon of new panels and disposal. It is firmly in line with repair-over-replacement thinking that more clients now expect.
In short
If your cladding is sound but tired, spraying is usually faster, cheaper and greener. Send us a few photos and we will tell you honestly whether commercial spraying or replacement is right for your building.
