Timber Frame Cladding Options Explained – Which is Best for Your Timber Frame Self Build?

Your choice of exterior material should be guided by your home’s setting and orientation, considering exposure to rain and sun, the availability of locally-sourced materials and any planning constraints – as well as personal preference. On a tight budget, it’s wise to specify more durable materials for the most exposed elevations.

When it comes to timber cladding, choosing the right species is crucial – not just for durability and appearance but also for its impact on biodiversity. Much of the timber used in the UK is imported, but at Studio Bark we aim to work with locally-sourced products where possible. Opting for timber with Grown in Britain certification ensures it’s sustainably sourced in line with the UK Forestry Standard and the government’s Timber Procurement Policy.

Local authorities often default to brick, simply because adjacent buildings use it. To make the case for an alternative exterior finish, we take a context-sensitive but playful approach – picking up on relevant architectural patterns and reinterpreting them in our cladding design. This helps us demonstrate a connection to the surrounding area while introducing low-carbon materials that support a more sustainable build.

Cladding design, both in terms of material selection and patterning, is something you should always discuss from the early stages of a project, ensuring it complements the overall design vision and meets practical requirements and aesthetic goals.

We often leave wood cladding to weather naturally, allowing it to develop a soft, silvery-grey patina that blends with the landscape. Over the past decade, black-stained or charred timber has surged in popularity. It’s great for organic settings, where it acts as a quiet, recessive element in the landscape, allowing plants and greenery to pop. More recently, we’ve experimented with a rainbow of cladding colours and stains, especially for urban projects that suit a bolder, more playful aesthetic. The possibilities are endless!

It’s important to consider how the cladding interacts with the size, shape and details of your building. Vertical or horizontal boards work well on flat surfaces, while curved forms suit smaller elements like timber shingles. Windows and doors play a key role: aligning cladding boards with their edges creates a clean, intentional look, and varying board widths below windows can add subtle visual interest. Practical detailing is essential for durability. Timber board ends are vulnerable to moisture, so capping them and incorporating overhangs can significantly extend their lifespan.

The location of your project will influence whether your choice of cladding is going to be easy or difficult to maintain. Generally, any cladding material that carries an appropriate BBA certificate will have been tested for its appropriate use as an exterior finish. These certificates will also highlight where the product has been tested and what measures may be required if they are to be used in an exposed location. If you are using stone, brick, render, cementitious, metal or plastic materials for your cladding, these are generally low maintenance. If you are using painted or treated timber, this will require reapplication of a finish every five years or so will require more upkeep. However, if you use an appropriate timber that is left untreated such as cedar, larch or oak then these can be allowed to weather naturally without refinishing.

Answered by Opinder Liddar

Opinder Liddar is one of Build It’s architectural experts. He is an award-winning architect and a director at Lapd Architects. He is a regular expert at the National Self Build & Renovation Centre as well as the Build It Live exhibitions.

Houses in seaside locations are more vulnerable to the elements, and the actual fixing as well as the cladding material needs to be carefully considered to prevent early deterioration. Also, if your cladding is relatively thin or untreated (such as timber) or if you are using untreated steel, these are not suitable for exposed areas as they will warp, deteriorate or rust very quickly in these conditions.

Answered by Opinder Liddar

Opinder Liddar is one of Build It’s architectural experts. He is an award-winning architect and a director at Lapd Architects. He is a regular expert at the National Self Build & Renovation Centre as well as the Build It Live exhibitions.

Recently, many insurers, warranty providers and lenders have been averse to large amounts of timber-on-timber in construction, due to perceived fire risk. The build-up and specification of your external wall will be under very close scrutiny to ensure that you aren’t creating a fire safety hazard. Although timber is actually safe to use, I expect that you and your provider will need to prepare adequate justification on your proposed construction – and have this reviewed – to ensure that you can build what you intend. Thankfully, most timber frame providers are able to demonstrate compliance, but this is something you need to make sure will be provided prior to placing your order with them, just in case.

Answered by Opinder Liddar

Opinder Liddar is one of Build It’s architectural experts. He is an award-winning architect and a director at Lapd Architects. He is a regular expert at the National Self Build & Renovation Centre as well as the Build It Live exhibitions.

Generally speaking, modified pine and UK-grown species tend to sit at the more accessible end of the market, with prices starting from around £40 per m2. Species that offer a clearer grade, with fewer knots, or hardwoods such as ash, are popular mid-range choices, starting from around £65 per m2. Premium species, or those with a vertical grain, are often more expensive due to the material itself and the extra processing involved.

Answered by Steven Newman

Steven Newman is founder of Millworks. Through passion, research and investment, their products combine advanced engineering with strong knowledge of timber behaviour, delivering high-performance solutions that support self builders and renovators.

The species of timber is a leading factor, but there are several other elements that can impact the final cost, including grade, board dimensions, profile design, coating and fire treatment. The profile is particularly important.

An overlapping or tongue-and-groove board will require more timber to cover the same square metre than an open rainscreen profile. Project complexity, bespoke profiling, finishing requirements and the fixing system can also affect the overall cost. It is therefore worth comparing the cost of the complete cladding system, rather than simply the timber price per m².

Answered by Steven Newman

Steven Newman is founder of Millworks. Through passion, research and investment, their products combine advanced engineering with strong knowledge of timber behaviour, delivering high-performance solutions that support self builders and renovators.