Factors to Consider in Timber Cladding

Cladding is generally defined as the layering of a material to the exterior of a building. Its purpose is to infiltrate weather elements. Nowadays, cladding is used for aesthetic purposes. The most popular type of cladding is made from timber. Timber cladding is commonly used in either traditional or contemporary houses but before you add timber cladding to your own home, you should first consider the following:


Type of timber
Timber cladding boards are available in Oak, Western Red Cedar, Treated Softwood, English Larch and other types of lumber. It should be clear whether the timber is to be used for external or internal cladding. It is advisable to choose wood that can easily absorb moisture and resist decay to avoid major reconstruction in the future. You may also treat, paint or stain the wood. Some types of timber may require treatment and coating for durability purposes.

Laying style

There are four different timber cladding styles that you may choose according to you preference. The four types of laying styles are:

1. Feather Edge – each board is tapered across its width. 
2. Square Edge – each board has the same thickness. 
3. Shiplap – each board's profile partially overlaps the profile of the board next to it. 
4. Tongue & Groove – each board has a groove or slot on one edge and a tongue or thin ridge on the opposite edge which can be joined. 

Budget

The cost of timber cladding always depends on the type of wood that you use and in what quantity. The cheapest softwood boarding comes in at around £5 to £8 per square metre but it tends to decay quicker and requires regular painting and staining after installation. Although timbers such as red cedar, European larch, Douglas fir and oak are more expensive, they tend to last longer even without treatment or staining.

Building details

Buildings and houses usually have numerous corners, doors and windows. One way to avoid spending too much time installing the timber cladding is to carefully plan the details before you make a start. Make sure that the sizes of the timbers fit neatly into the area where they will be fixed. Mastic seals can help prevent moisture build up in case the timbers do not fit perfectly in the space where they are installed.


UK Timber supplies high quality wooden products for timber cladding. Please email us at sales@uk-timber.co.uk for enquiries.