Cladding Installation Guide
Buying Cladding
Enhance your building's aesthetic year-round with our modern, contemporary cladding.
This guide has been curated to assist you in choosing the perfect cladding for you, whether you're in pursuit of a sleek and stylish look for a commercial building or require durable materials for protection. Our cladding options are available in various different profiles and materials, featuring designs that simplify installation.
Each piece of cladding is individually machined with precision in Devon, ensuring high quality and attention to detail.
Things to consider
What profile of cladding are you after?
What finish would you like?
What Budget do you have in mind?
Shadow Gap
A great option for enhanced protection, insulation, and a visually appealing finish, Shadow Gap boards are installed with a small, consistent gap between them, creating a distinctive shadow effect.
This shadow line provides an aesthetic feature that adds depth and texture to the surface of the building.
Planed
A popular choice for those looking for a refined, contemporary look, our Planed boards are individually machined for a smooth, high-quality finish.
High Budget
Know for it's distinctive golden hue, natural durability and decay-resistant properties, our Home-Grown Cedar cladding is perfect for those wanting a premium finish to their cladding project.
We also stock Canadian Western Red Cedar Cladding, known for its exceptional durability and aesthetic appeal. This variety features minimal knots and high density, ensuring a durable and long-lasting cladding option.
Tongue & Groove
Tongue and Groove cladding involves panels that are cut to have a protruding "tongue" on one edge and a corresponding "groove" on the other. When installed, the tongue of one panel fits snugly into the groove of the adjacent panel. This interlocking system creates a smooth, seamless surface, making it a popular choice for both aesthetic and practical reasons.
IRO
Inspired by the Japanese process of ‘Yakisugi’. IRO – which is Japanese for ‘colour’ – is 100% eco-friendly, UV stabled and HVOC-free. Because IRO is heat enhanced and coated in Rubio Monocoat cream, it is more durable and offers a more striking grain appearance than traditional cladding and decking counterparts.
Medium Budget
Larch cladding is celebrated for its appealing grains and vibrant colors, making it a visually stunning wood choice.
It is naturally rich in resin, which enhances its resistance to decay, eliminating the need for pressure treatment or extensive maintenance. Our selection of Larch cladding features two distinct varieties: Siberian Larch and Homegrown British Larch.
Shiplap
Shiplap consists of wooden boards or panels that are designed with a rabbet (notch) on either side of each edge. This design allows the panels to fit together snugly, one on top of the other, creating a tight seal. The overlapping joints formed by the rabbets help to effectively shed water, making shiplap especially suitable for use in areas susceptible to moisture.
Rough Sawn
Our Rough Sawn Cladding is a great option for those on a slightly smaller budget, or for those who would prefer a rustic aesthetic to their cladding project.
Low Budget
Pressure-treated Scandinavian Redwood Cladding is the perfect budget friendly but quality choice.
Our Redwood cladding is thoroughly pressure-treated with TanalithE treatment to help protect the timber against weather-related issues such as shakes or bowing.
Cedar vs. Larch - What's the difference?
We created an in-depth blog detailing the differences between the two softwoods, which you can find here, however in short the main difference between Cedar and Larch is the colour of the two timbers.
Cedar offers a stunning reddish-brown to dark brown colour with beautiful grain patterns, whereas Larch’s has a natural yellow-brown hue and is well known for it's texture, with the shapes and patterns of the growth rings - providing real character to each panel.
Cedar is known to be more lightweight in comparison to Larch, with Larch being a dense but durable wood. Cedar offers thermal properties, meaning that it operates well in both hot and cold climates.
Types of Cladding
Shadow Gap
- Visual Appeal: The angled cuts create dynamic shadows that give the surface a three-dimensional look, increasing visual interest.
- Durability: Designed for both interior and exterior use, its sturdy construction withstands environmental elements well.
- Contemporary Design: Ideal for modern architectural designs, the shadow profile contributes to a clean, avant-garde aesthetic.
Shadow profile boards create a unique visual effect by casting a shadow along the joints when installed, which enhances the geometric appearance of the exterior or interior surfaces.
This profile is especially popular in contemporary architecture for its ability to add depth and dimension to flat surfaces.
Its design is straightforward yet highly effective in creating striking visual patterns that are both modern and sophisticated.
Loglap
- Rustic Appeal: Loglap mimics the traditional log cabin style, adding rustic charm to buildings without the need for full logs.
- Lightweight: Despite its robust appearance, loglap is easier to manipulate and install than actual logs.
- Insulation: The thickness and overlap of loglap boards contribute to better thermal insulation, enhancing energy efficiency.
Loglap cladding is designed to give the aesthetic appeal of a log cabin, featuring boards that have a curved profile to resemble logs.
This type of cladding is used primarily on exteriors and provides the appearance of solid logs while utilising less material, making it more cost-effective and easier to install.
Loglap offers a charming, traditional look and is often chosen for its robust, natural appearance.
Shiplap
- Weather Resistance: The overlapping design ensures that water and wind are effectively blocked, making it ideal for harsh weather conditions.
- Ease of Installation: The interlocking design simplifies alignment and fixing, reducing installation time and complexity.
- Timeless Aesthetic: Shiplap provides a classic visual appeal that enhances the value and appearance of any home, adapting to many styles.
Shiplap siding consists of wooden boards designed to interlock in a way that forms a tight seal, which is particularly useful for exterior applications. The design features a rabbet or notch cut into the edges of each board, allowing them to overlap and create a distinct aesthetic that is both functional and visually appealing.
This style is popular for achieving a rustic, farmhouse look that is also weather-resistant and durable.
Tongue & Groove
- Smooth Surface: The interlocking joints hide fasteners, resulting in a clean, visually appealing finish without visible nails or screws.
- Strong Joints: The tongue and groove connection provides enhanced structural stability and strength across the joined boards.
- Versatility: Suitable for various applications like flooring, paneling, and ceilings, adapting easily to different design needs.
Tongue and Groove wood consists of boards that are precisely milled to fit snugly together, featuring a protruding tongue on one edge and a groove on the opposite edge. This fit ensures tight joining and a seamless, stable surface that is highly valued in both flooring and wall paneling.
The interlocking nature of the boards provides superior durability and a refined look, making it an excellent choice for high-quality finishes in homes and commercial spaces.
Planed Square Edge
- Precise Construction: The uniform and smooth edges facilitate precise cuts and fit, essential for detailed and fine carpentry work.
- Minimalist Look: The square, smooth edges offer a clean, modern aesthetic that complements a minimalist design style.
- Sleek Finish: Ideal for projects that demand a polished finish and precise angular corners, enhancing the overall sharpness of the design.
Planed Square Edge timber is precisely machined to produce smooth, square-edged boards that are ideal for a wide range of construction and carpentry tasks.
These boards are extremely versatile due to their uniform dimensions and smooth finish, making them perfect for projects requiring a high level of precision and a clean, minimalist aesthetic.
This type of wood is often used where the integrity and aesthetics of the wood are paramount.
Things to Consider Purchasing with our Cladding
Corner Trim
For the finishing touch to your cladding project, it may be worth considering also purchasing corner trim.
It also serves several important functions in both residential and commercial construction such as hiding seams and imperfections, aesthetics and structural integrity.
UV Protection
No matter what profile, timber or finish you decide on for your cladding, we always recommend treating your cladding with UV Protection at least every 6-12 months. This is because continued, unprotected exposure to the elements can cause issues such as shakes and warping - UV Protection will protect your timber against this.
We recommend Osmo Oil, which is available in types Clear, Larch or Cedar!
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does timber cladding last?
With proper care and maintenance, timber cladding can last anywhere from 15 to 30 years+, depending on the type of wood used and the exposure to weather conditions.
Do I need to treat timber cladding?
Yes, treating timber cladding with a preservative helps to protect it from weathering, UV damage, rot, and insects. Regular maintenance treatments are recommended to prolong the wood's lifespan.
What is the difference between horizontal and vertical timber cladding?
Horizontal cladding creates a traditional look and allows water to run off easily, while vertical cladding provides a more contemporary design. Both options offer good protection, but the choice depends on aesthetic preferences.
What is the best wood for timber cladding?
Cedar and Larch are often considered the best options due to their natural resistance to rot, decay, and discolouration. These woods also offer durability and attractive natural finishes that can enhance any property.
Does timber cladding provide good insulation?
Yes, timber cladding offers excellent insulation properties, both for heat and sound. When combined with additional insulation materials, it helps improve the energy efficiency of a building.
Do you offer bulk discounts?
We offer discounts on bulk purchases of cladding! The discount will be listed beneath the price and will also appear once added to your basket.
Is timber cladding fire-resistant?
Untreated timber cladding is not fire-resistant. However, fire-retardant treatments, such as Zero Flame, are available for timber cladding, which can improve its fire performance
Is timber cladding waterproof?
While timber itself is not waterproof, when treated with a wood preservative and installed properly, it provides a protective barrier against rain. Adequate sealing and overlapping boards help keep moisture out.
Does your cladding arrive with fixings?
No, fixings would need to purchased with the cladding.
