Why you need timber cladding for your next project

Over the past few years, timber has become an increasingly popular cladding choice for both commercial and residential properties. Beautiful, affordable and environmentally friendly, timber offers a range of advantages over other materials. Adding timber cladding to your next build could help to give it the high end, bespoke finish you’ve been looking for.

Choosing the right timber for your property

Selecting the right type of cladding for your project is essential if you want to get the most out of the build. As @HouzzAU says, “External material selection can often make or break your project – no matter how well-designed your new home or addition, the right cladding can take it to the next level in both form and function.” Luckily, there is a huge variety of timber cladding available to choose from. Ranging from hardwood to softwood and deep, dark timbers to soft silvery hues, timber can come with different species, profiles and qualities.

This variety means that it should be easy to find a type of timber cladding that’s perfect for your property. Whether you’re working on a period home or a contemporary new build, you’ll be able to find a wood that’s the right colour – and offers the right protective qualities – for your build.

Weathering

All types of timber cladding will age over time. Colours will change, cracks may appear and the entire façade will become weathered. This is one of the reasons that architects and homeowners choose timber cladding. As it ages, the wood helps the building to settle into its surroundings and bed in. It can also help the building to feel more alive, soften its exterior profile and connect it to its surroundings.

When choosing your timber cladding, it’s important to understand how the timber you choose will age. A lot of popular cladding timbers, like larch and ash, will begin to fade almost as soon as they’re installed. This can be beneficial if you want your building to settle in quickly. Other timbers, like cedar, will age a little more slowly. Cedar also needs less regular treatment than other types of wood, making it a good option if you want a low maintenance building that will look new for longer.

Sustainability

One of the most important factors to consider when choosing timber cladding for your project is sustainability. All wood used on building projects should come from sustainable sources. This helps to ensure that the material is truly environmentally friendly and that the forest it’s sourced from is properly managed and protected. Always ask your supplier about the sustainability of their wood and only buy timber cladding that’s been certified by the FSC®.

If you’d like to find out more about timber cladding options or learn about the importance of sustainably sourced wood, we can help. Take a look around our site or get in touch with a member of our team today.