Published: 11/11/20 By: Mike Bekin
Over the past few years, exterior timber cladding has seen a boom in popularity. From new build homes to commercial buildings, such as Xylo, the all-timber office building in London. It is a winning choice for architects and homeowners alike.
As a provider of sustainable exterior timbers to constructions around the UK, we are all for the buzz around exterior timber cladding. But why is it such a hit, and what could it bring to your next construction project? We have put together everything you need to know in this guide.
The Aesthetic Appeal of Exterior Timber Cladding
One of the main reasons timber cladding is used in so many new designs is that it looks beautiful. Whether a designer, architect or homeowner, it is hard to ignore the appeal of timber’s natural aesthetic. It is charming, full of character and can bring a unique exterior to stand-out properties.
It helps that there is a wide range of timber species available. At EcoChoice, we stock a multitude of different cladding types, all of which look slightly different – from the colour of the timber to the grain pattern which runs through the boards. Some of our most popular exterior timber cladding species include:
We are also seeing an increase in the number of architects opting for modified timber, e.g. ThermoWood. This brings a sustainable, chemical-free upgrade to less durable timber species, bringing added resilience to your favourite timbers for cladding which looks its best for decades.
It is also a good time to mention that all our timber is sourced from responsibly managed, FSC or PEFC-certified woodlands. This means your cladding comes from areas where biodiversity and conservation are championed, making it the greener and more ethical choice for your building’s facade.
Is Timber Cladding a Sustainable Choice?
Timber is renowned for being one of the most eco-friendly building materials available. It is natural, reusable, recyclable and genuinely sustainable, particularly when sourced from our eco-conscious suppliers.
Unlike many manufactured materials (such as concrete and steel), it requires minimal processing to turn the original tree into cladding ready for your walls. This gives it a pretty low carbon footprint, which is further reduced by timber’s natural carbon sequestration properties.
Trees absorb carbon dioxide as they grow, locking that carbon away long after the timber is harvested. This is a vital part of the planet’s carbon capture system, keeping harmful greenhouse gases out of our atmosphere to help mitigate the effects of global warming.
When your timber is sourced from responsibly managed forests, you are not only ensuring ethical harvesting, but also supporting forest management practices which increase carbon capture over time.
The result? Choosing timber cladding for your exterior is not just an aesthetic decision; it is an environmental one. You are opting for a material which is beautiful, durable and proven to be far kinder to the planet than alternatives such as metal, brick or PVC.
Is Timber Cladding a Practical Choice?
As if that was not enough, timber cladding is also considered a super practical choice for the building and architectural sectors. It is a strong material which provides a layer of protection for the walls beneath, and can also bring insulating properties to lower energy consumption. The right species will be incredibly durable and able to withstand external threats (for example rot and insect infestation) with ease, providing a low-maintenance design solution.
Timber’s versatility is another huge advantage. From clean, contemporary lines to bold curves and creative detailing, it opens up design possibilities which brick or stone simply cannot match. Architects can experiment with shapes, profiles and finishes to bring unique visions to life, as in our featured Siberian Larch project, where the material’s adaptability played a key role in the final design.
You can also have your pick of the bunch! Even lower durability timber species such as Pine, Spruce and Douglas Fir can be enhanced by preservative treatments, wood modification and flame retardants for added protection and aesthetic appeal.
Budget-Friendly Timber Cladding
Timber cladding is a material for every budget. With a broad range of softwoods, hardwoods and modified timbers available, there are options to suit all projects, including renovations to conservation properties and new build developments. Wood is also easy to repair and maintain, meaning less disruption and lower life-cycle costs compared to many other cladding materials.
Order Exterior Timber Cladding
Want to learn more about our exterior timber cladding options? Whether to ask a question or start an order, get in touch with our team to take the next steps towards kickstarting your cladding project. Call us on 0345 638 1340, or drop us an email at sales@ecochoice.co.uk.
