Timber Cladding – Choices for external timber types

Timber Cladding – Choices for external timber types

Timber Cladding – Choices for External Cladding: A Comprehensive Guide

Timber cladding has long been a popular choice for exterior building finishes. Its natural beauty, sustainability, and versatility make it ideal for adding warmth and character to a structure. Timber cladding not only enhances the aesthetics of buildings but also contributes to a sustainable future by reducing carbon footprints. If you’re looking to add natural timber to your building, it’s essential to understand the options available to you, especially the species of timber that are best suited for external cladding. In this article, we will explore some of the top timber species used for external cladding, their benefits, and considerations when selecting the right timber for your project.

Why Choose Timber Cladding?

Before diving into the specific timber species, it’s important to understand why timber is an excellent choice for external cladding.

  1. Sustainability: Timber is one of the most sustainable building materials available. It’s carbon-negative, meaning it stores more carbon than it emits during its life cycle. Responsibly sourced timber contributes to environmental conservation, as trees sequester carbon dioxide, helping reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
  2. Aesthetic Appeal: Timber cladding provides a natural and organic look, which can age beautifully, developing a unique patina over time. The visual warmth and texture of timber can significantly enhance the overall appearance of a building.
  3. Thermal Efficiency: Timber cladding can improve the thermal properties of a building, helping to reduce energy consumption by providing better insulation.
  4. Durability: Many timber species used for cladding have excellent resistance to rot, decay, and insects, making them a durable option for external applications, even in harsh weather conditions.

Timber Species Used for External Timber Cladding

Now, let’s explore the most commonly used timber species for external cladding and their specific advantages.

  1. Western Red Cedar Timber Cladding

Western Red Cedar is one of the most popular choices for timber cladding, and for good reason.

  • Stability: Cedar is dimensionally stable, meaning it has minimal shrinkage, expansion, or warping. This makes it an ideal option for cladding as it maintains its shape and form even in changing weather conditions.
  • Durability: Naturally durable, Western Red Cedar has a high resistance to rot and decay. Its natural oils provide protection, so it can last for decades without significant maintenance.
  • Aesthetics: Known for its rich reddish-brown colour and fine grain, Western Red Cedar ages beautifully, developing a silver-grey patina over time.
  • Thermal Properties: Western Red Cedar provides excellent insulation properties, making it energy-efficient for both hot and cold climates.
  • Sustainability: Cedar is a renewable resource, and when sourced from well-managed forests, it is highly sustainable.
  1. Abodo Vulcan Timber

Abodo Vulcan Timber is a thermally modified Radiator Pine timber, specifically engineered for durability and stability.

  • Thermal Modification: Abodo Vulcan is thermally modified (TMT230), which enhances its stability and durability. Thermal modification significantly reduces the moisture content, making the wood 50% more stable than untreated timber.
  • Durability: This timber is rated Class 1 in natural durability (EN350-1), meaning it has the highest resistance to fungal decay.
  • Stability: Enhanced dimensional stability means that Abodo Vulcan timber is less likely to shrink or swell, reducing the chances of warping or splitting.
  • Aesthetic Flexibility: It takes coatings well, making it ideal for various finishes, including water-borne and oil-based treatments.
  • Sustainability: Abodo Vulcan timber is sourced from FSC-certified forests & is produced using 100% green energy , making it a sustainable and socially responsible choice.
  • See Abodo Timber Cladding here
  1. British Larch

British Larch is a home-grown timber species known for its robustness and rustic appeal.

  • Durability: Larch is naturally resistant to rot and insect infestation, making it a durable choice for cladding.
  • Aging: British Larch develops a silver-grey appearance over time, similar to Cedar, making it visually appealing as it ages.
  • Aesthetics: It has a unique grain and texture, giving a more rustic, natural look compared to other timbers.
  • Stability: British Larch has good stability but can move more than other species, so it’s essential to install it correctly to minimize warping.
  • See Larch Timber Cladding here
  1. Douglas Fir

Clear Douglas Fir is a versatile timber with excellent strength and durability.

  • Durability: Douglas Fir has natural resistance to decay, especially when it’s kept out of ground contact, making it a durable choice for external cladding.
  • Long Lengths: Douglas Fir is often available in long, knot-free lengths, making it ideal for creating smooth and consistent cladding lines.
  • Stability: Though not as stable as Cedar or thermally modified timbers, Douglas Fir holds up well with proper treatment.
  • Aesthetics: It has a pale colour with a slight pink hue, providing a lighter, more modern look.
  1. Scandinavian Redwood

Scandinavian Redwood, often referred to as European Pine, is a popular softwood for cladding due to its affordability and availability.

  • Durability: When treated, Scandinavian Redwood becomes highly durable, providing decades of service life even in harsh conditions.
  • Aesthetics: It has a straight grain and even texture, giving a clean and uniform appearance.
  • Treatments: Due to its softer nature, it takes preservatives and finishes well, including Tanalith E and other fire-retardant treatments, enhancing its durability and fire resistance.
  1. ThermoWood Radiata Pine

ThermoWood is a brand name for thermally modified Radiata Pine, a sustainable and versatile choice for timber cladding.

  • Thermal Modification: ThermoWood Radiata Pine undergoes thermal treatment, which enhances its durability, stability, and resistance to decay.
  • Dimensional Stability: The thermal treatment reduces moisture content, minimizing swelling, shrinking, and warping by up to 50%.
  • Aesthetic Appeal: It has a warm, even tone and takes finishes well, allowing for a range of colour options.
  • Sustainability: Radiata Pine is a fast-growing species, making it a renewable and sustainable option for cladding.

Treatments and Finishes for Timber Cladding

To enhance the performance and longevity of timber cladding, various treatments and finishes are available. These treatments provide protection against the elements, pests, and fire, while also allowing for customization of colour and texture.

  1. Tanalised Timber: Tanalith E timber treatment impregnates timber with preservatives, giving it a natural green colour and protecting against rot and insect damage.
  2. Tanatone Timber Treatment: This treatment provides a rich brown colour, adding depth and warmth to the wood while enhancing its durability.
  3. Vascol Aqua: A low-pressure double vacuum treatment that ensures deeper penetration of preservatives, increasing the wood’s lifespan.
  4. Charring the wood surface and then cooling it with water creates a fire-resistant finish with a beautiful textured charcoal look.
  5. Fire Retardant Treatments: Treatments like Sentrin FRX and HR Prof significantly reduce the spread of fire, heat, and smoke, without compromising the wood’s structural integrity.
  6. Tech Oil and Painted Finishes: Tech oil offers a translucent or opaque finish, available in a variety of colours, while painted finishes can be customized to match any NCS colour format.

Article on types of Timber Treatments at M.H. Southern Ltd.

Conclusion

Choosing the right timber for your external cladding is crucial for both aesthetics and performance. Each species offers unique advantages in terms of durability, stability, and appearance. Whether you opt for the natural beauty of Western Red Cedar, the stability of thermally modified Abodo Vulcan, or the rustic charm of British Larch, timber cladding remains a sustainable and visually striking choice for modern architecture. With the wide range of treatments and finishes available, your timber cladding can be customized to meet your specific needs while ensuring long-term performance and protection.

Please see the range of external Timber Cladding in the MHS online store
Information on our timber sustainability and membership of Timber Development UK.
Information on wood protection treatments from the WPA