How does the weather affect your wooden cladding?

As untreated timber cladding is a completely natural material, it is susceptible to weathering. From UV rays to rain, snow and ice, the weather throughout the year can change the appearance and structural integrity of your cladding boards. Luckily there are eco-friendly options for protecting your timber against the elements.

To learn more, in this article we will take a closer look at exactly how weather affects timber, along with some great preservation tips for long-lasting cladding.

How Does the Sun Affect Timber Cladding?

There are two main ways that the UV rays from the sun affect your timber cladding.

Colour-Changing

The first is by fading the colour of your untreated timber, with most species taking on a silvery-grey hue from extended sun exposure. Depending on the conditions in which your timber is situated (such as how many hours of direct sunlight it is exposed to every day) and your timber species, your cladding could change colour after a few months of installation or a few years.

This type of weathering is not always negative, and many people love the look of naturally weathered timber. It tends to bring quite a contemporary aesthetic to modern buildings, with some designers even opting for pre-weathered timber to achieve the look faster.

Cracking, Shrinking, and Deterioration

Unfortunately, UV rays can also damage untreated timber cladding (particularly the less durable species). The sun can dry out the natural moisture in the timber, leading to shrinkage, warping, cracking and splitting. It can also cause a general deterioration of the timber fibres, weakening your cladding boards.

How Does Rain Affect Timber Cladding?

Timber is porous, meaning that it can soak up water until it is completely saturated. This can cause the cladding boards to swell and warp, leading to issues with your entire structure.

Excessive water can also make some timber species more vulnerable to rotting which if left untreated, will lead to the timber falling apart over time.

Can Snow and Ice Damage Timber Cladding?

Both snow and ice can cause a number of problems for less durable timber species. These introduce moisture to the wood, leading to the same issues mentioned above.

However, snow may also sit on your timber for longer periods of time than rain, amplifying the effects of moisture. It is also vital to be aware that if water enters a split in your timber and then freezes, it will expand, pushing the split to create a larger crack.

How to Protect Your Timber Cladding Against the Weather

Though weather absolutely can affect your timber cladding, it does not have to. There are a number of preventative measures you can take to help your timber handle all these weather conditions with ease, including:

• Choosing a durable timber species for your cladding (e.g. Larch, Chestnut or Cedar)
• Adding a protective UV treatment to prevent your timber colour from fading
• Using a water-repellant treatment, stain or oil to add water resistance to your timber
• Repairing splits and cracks quickly using a timber-safe filler or replacing affected boards

We want to emphasise that selecting the right species for your cladding will drastically reduce the chance of weather affecting your timber. We recommend using timber with at least a durability class 3, though class 2 or class 1 will provide even better resistance to weather-related issues.

Find the Right Timber For Your Cladding

Not sure how to balance form with function? Find a timber species which both suits your style and brings excellent durability to your project with the help of our team at EcoChoice. Get in touch to start chatting about your perfect timber.