Architectural timber cladding has long remained favoured for its aesthetic qualities, inherent longevity, elasticity, weight-to-strength ratio, and simplicity of installation. It has become more famous as a more environmentally friendly solution for construction and cladding than other materials.
But with so many timber cladding options in the market, how do you pick the timber cladding that best suits your needs? If you’re one of the homeowners out there who want to know how, this ultimate guide for architectural timber cladding is perfect for you!
Selecting A Timber
Regardless of attractiveness, ecological concepts, durability, and affordability, there are many species of trees to select from. Some of them are softwoods like pine, strong woods like oak, tropical hardwoods like iroko, and modified woods like Accoya.
It is generally advisable to choose a wood that will endure at least 15 years. In these situations, use a wood that is either:
Naturally durable – a wood variety with the requisite natural durability for its intended use;
Modified – lumber that has been physically altered to improve its durability to an acceptable degree; and
Preservative treated – to reach a maximum Usage Class 3 level, lumber is treated with a wood preservative in a factory-controlled procedure.
Larch is an excellent example of a natively resistant softwood widely used during cladding. It climates to a gorgeous grey and maybe pressures treated to prolong its life to at least ten years.
Selecting A Profile
Typical profiles and board lengths are available in various styles and sizes, with dimensions and styles ranging from one provider to the next. Several manufacturers may also provide custom profiles and new inventive designs, including planks sawn one at a time to produce a specific pattern once placed.
Furthermore, timber cladding is often installed over a drained and aired cavity. However, this is highly dependent on your wall structure. A breather membrane is not required for cladding to a masonry structure with cavity walls; a breathable layer divides dry and moist zones.
Also, it’s vital to remember that timber extends and shrinks according to the weather. So, make sure to keep this in mind as you pick out your cladding. The manufacturer must provide recommendations for expanding gaps, fastening kinds, and frequency.
Horizontal Timber Cladding
Some of the most popular horizontal timber cladding samples are given below:
Feather Edge
A triangular length of feather edge cladding is fitted with a tiny overlap. Its form aids in the drainage of water from each board. It also adds depth to the façade by creating contrast between shadow and light.
Open Gap
Boards featuring a little space between them are known as open gap boards. Architects love them because of the clean lines, even if the fasteners are evident owing to the style.
Shiplap
Shiplap boards have a similar appearance to open gap boards, but they include an overlapping connection that keeps water out of the vented chamber and extends the cladding’s life.
Tongue And Groove
T&G boards are comparable to shiplap, except they have a stronger board-to-board connection. This is also why T&G may be utilised vertically, as well as diagonally.
Vertical Timber Cladding
A few samples of some of the most prevalent vertical timber cladding are below:
Shiplap
The boards feature an overlapping connection, similar to the horizontal layout, which helps keep water out of the vented cavity and extends the cladding’s life.
Tongue and Groove
T&G gives a powerful barrier against wind-driven rain, similar to the horizontal setting. T&G may be used vertically, horizontally, or diagonally.
Board on Board
If vertical boards overlap with one below and one on top of the other, this is known as the board. With this arrangement, you may generate more significant or minor shadow gaps by varying board widths or the distance between the two panels.
Shingles
Timber shingles are a kind of modular cladding that is not put vertically and horizontally. They do, but they feature a comparable foundation of battens and counter battens to provide ventilation and moisture drainage.
Timber Cladding On Feature Walls
A feature timber cladding wall may dramatically improve your living area, and it’s simple to do it by experimenting with colours, textures, and styles. A simple coloured feature wall may make a big difference.
Colour Selection
There is a range of colours to choose from when it comes to timber wood. Before you decide, consider if a bright or dark coloured featured wall would better complement your room.
Natural wood absorbs a lot of light, so unless your space receives a lot of natural light, light-coloured wood could be a better choice. You may also consider pairing dark wood with even deeper colours, like granite or concrete, grey or black painted walls, and dark furniture if you want to unwind in a gloomy and comforting bedroom.
Textures
Along with its stand-out ability, a textured feature wall earns extra points. Because of the nature of timber, creating textures on wooden boards is simple. Surfaces may be made artificially or simply by displaying the grain of the wood.
The most crucial benefit of employing architectural timber cladding is that the end product is beautiful. The use of timber in a space’s architectural framework generates a warm and welcoming environment that quickly boosts the space’s look.