Choosing the right timber cladding

We have identified the key factors to consider when selecting exterior timber cladding materials, walking you through some of the most popular timber species that you can choose between and the features and benefits they offer.

Why use timber cladding at all?

Before we get into the details of what you should consider when choosing wooden cladding, you might be wondering whether timber is the best option for your projects in the first place.

There are several considerations to keep in mind when selecting a cladding material, with multiple options that could be right for you depending on your priorities in terms of looks, quality and functionality, including stone, brick, concrete, tiles, PVCu, glass, and metals such as steel and aluminium.

We firmly believe that timber cladding is the way to go though, and here’s why:

It’s natural

Being renewable, recyclable and biodegradable, wood-clad buildings offer numerous long-term sustainability benefits over the alternatives. Despite being natural, timber offers quite good quality, weather resistance and thermal insulation.

Wood production also boasts lower carbon emissions than options like brick and steel, and it can also help enhance the well-being of inhabitants when it is used in a building by reducing stress and enhancing concentration.

As sustainability considerations and a low carbon footprint are more important for the construction sector, wood is an increasingly popular choice.

Case study

Powerhouse Telemark offers a sustainable model for the future of workspaces. Snøhetta architects built the it to be as energy-efficient as possible, and much of it, including its windows, are covered with Thermory pine boards.

Powerhouse Telemark sets a new standard for the construction of environmentally sustainable buildings by reducing its yearly net energy consumption by 70% compared to similar new-construction offices, and by producing more energy than it will consume over its entire lifespan.

Powerhouse Telemark

Timber cladding has a timeless style

There is a certain beauty to wood. Simply put, timber-clad buildings look great – and they will never go out of fashion. It is a traditional, high-quality option that can be used in very modern ways. Timber cladding works equally well for residential and commercial projects.

There are many creative ways to use timber for your cladding, including using different species, a range of shades or colours to create an accent, laying the panels in an attractive pattern or choosing a distinctive style such as charred wood.

Architects from Contekton Arkitekter Fyrstad AB have mixed Thermory’s Benchmark thermo-ash cladding boards with Shingles for building a schoolhouse in Sweden.

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It’s safe, durable and easy to use

Wood has been used for construction for centuries and the quality stands the test of time. As a material that is natural, familiar and lightweight yet strong, timber cladding is easy to install, repair and replace, and presents no unwanted surprises.

Thermally modified wood is also highly durable, making it a serious alternative to materials that are traditionally considered to be longer-lasting. As the nutrients in wood are modified during thermal modification, there is less risk of insect attack and no chemical treatments are needed.

It’s adaptable

Timber provides almost limitless customization options, with a vast range of finishes, colours and profiles on offer.

You can opt for Benchmark by Thermory thermo-spruce for more rustic cladding boards, or choose thermally modified ash for a more refined look.

It’s easy to enhance the look of your cladding boards by applying paints, oils or other protective coatings, and the range of looks you can achieve is virtually endless, with options for vertical or horizontal boards, tiled finishes, or installing them in any pattern you can think of.

Another advantage is that timber cladding is flexible in its usage, making it equally suitable for both private homes and commercial buildings.

Timber cladding is readily available and affordable

Compared to other options, timber cladding is often cheaper to buy and easier to get hold of, which is a big part of its popularity. With simple fixing methods, it is also easy to install. This makes wood elements a suitable option also for self-builders.

Choosing a wood type for your cladding

There are many different species to choose between for your cladding, each with its features to suit your individual needs and preferences. They offer different options when it comes to colour, hardness, strength and resilience.

Should you opt for thermally modified wood cladding for your project?

Thermal modification is a chemical-free process that enhances the appearance and durability of the timber board protecting it from decay and insect attack by treating it with heat and steam.

For instance, Thermory’s thermally modified ash offers comparable durability to tropical hardwoods like teak that are often chosen for this feature, but with better dimensional stability due to a reduction in water absorption, a lighter weight, more uniform color and, because many tropical kinds of wood are harvested at the expense of endangered rainforest habitats, a production process that is significantly more sustainable.

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It’s also worth noting that using thermally modified wood for cladding negates many of the drawbacks often associated with wood cladding, such as being prone to rotting or twisting caused by moisture damage and being vulnerable to infestation from parasites such as mold or bacteria, meaning it doesn’t have to be replaced or maintained anywhere near as often.

In addition, because no chemicals are used in the thermal modification process the timber doesn’t need to be disposed of as hazardous waste when it does eventually come to the end of its lifecycle – instead, it can be repurposed, recycled or composted to give it a new lease of life.

Aging and maintenance of exterior timber cladding boards

As a natural element, wood ages gradually over time whether it has been thermally modified or not. This means that it requires regular maintenance to retain its optimum performance and protection for as long as possible.

Like all timber, the colour of thermowood will change over time, fading to a wide range of attractive grey. This process is caused by exposure to rain, wind, and UV light from the sun, the colour of the wood cladding may fade unevenly depending on where it is placed.

Some see it as part of the beauty, however, if preferred, this process can be slowed down by regular treatments such as painting or oiling the surface of the timber– and while standard timber products must be treated in this way every few years, thermal modification makes this interval significantly longer.

If you’re planning a cladding project in the near future, material selection is a really important aspect of finding the right solution, and as you can see there are many factors to consider. By presenting the key benefits of using thermally modified wood for this purpose and comparing the features of different types of wood, we hope this article has helped you in this process.