We love timber cladding; it’s now an increasingly popular finishing material for a huge range of homes, sheds, summer houses and even garages. It can increase the kerb appeal of your home, raise its value AND protect it from the elements. There’s loads to learn before you invest though; here’s our basic guide on choosing cladding and how to keep it looking beautiful, long after you’ve put it on your home.
What are the benefits of timber cladding?
• Character — Timber cladding can make any house or building more attractive, whether you’re looking for a modern look or want your home to have that rustic farmhouse vibe.
• Insulation — Timber retains heat and helps improve insulation, especially if you use a hardwood. So cladding can help lower your heating bills and keep you toasty in winter!
• Cost — Timber is one of the cheapest ways to clad a home while offering all the benefits of other types of cladding.
• Durability — Timbers can last for many decades, some even without much maintenance! Timbers such as oak or cedar weather to silvery grey and last for a long time left untreated.
• Environmentally friendly — A renewable resource, timber has a low carbon footprint and can be recycled at the end of its life on a building.
Are there different types?
Like most timber products, you can choose to get cladding made with softwood or hardwood. There are benefits to both, it’s just about choosing what suits your needs!
Why would I choose softwood?
This sort of cladding’s great for those on a budget; it’s generally cheaper than hardwood while still being a strong timber. If it’s treated like ours it will last longer, but they will need priming, painting and more regular maintenance than the hardwood alternatives. They’re also pretty resistant to fungi, bacteria and moisture.
What about hardwood cladding?
While it’s slightly more expensive, hardwood cladding can last a long time with minimal maintenance. This style of cladding is designed to weather attractively to a silvery grey if left, and you will hardly need to do any work to it once it’s installed! You can also choose to treat it to preserve its original darker colour too!
What else do I need to know?
• Cladding comes untreated, pre-treated (ours are pressure treated), stained or painted. The unfinished options are usually the cheapest.
• A good starting point is to figure out whether you want a contemporary, crisp look — which you can get with a clear grade, knot free timber —or that rustic look, when a knottier variety like Siberian larch will do the trick.
There’s loads to consider when you’re looking for cladding; if you’re thinking of freshening up the outside of your property, visit https://www.ruby-group.co.uk/collections/cladding
