There are many timber cladding options out there and it is easy to get confused. Firstly it is important to understand whether timber cladding is appropriate and whether it will deliver the desired results. Cladding can be problematic in shaded or polluted areas. Cladding left untreated will go grey. If you don’t like the look of weathered wood it may be worth considering pre-finished or composite products.

The choices depend on your design and your priorities. Machined boards are more expensive but will result in a more contemporary look. Sawn boards are cheaper but will look more rustic. Species and grades with fewer knots will be more expensive than those with more but will appear more contemporary. Some species such as cedar, oak and sweet chestnut are more reactive and may not weather as nicely as less reactive species such as larch and modified options such as Brimstone and Thermowood. Options including cedar, sweet chestnut and modified timbers are more stable than options such as larch and oak, and the boards will maintain their sharp lines for longer. Many options are available form British sources and in some cases these are cheaper.

In summary, if a rustic aesthetic is desired consider a sawn knotty option such as sawn larch feather-edge. If a clean and contemporary aesthetic is desired consider a machined and relatively knot free option such as Canadian cedar, Grade A Siberian larch or a Brimstone product. For an option in between consider a machined but more knotty option such as British cedar or Grade B Siberian larch.

Thomas Barnes (Director at Vastern Timber)