The construction of buildings and structures has a lot of thought going into it. From original architectural drawings to the preparation of material, each step must be meticulously thought through. It isnât just a simple matter of building a few walls and adding a roof. Many of the smaller elements of building design and construction go under the radar, such as the use of cladding.
Here at Hales Sawmills, we are experts in all things wood. Whether it’s fencing, gates, decking, sheds or cladding – we have the knowledge and products to match. We have put together this guide to timber cladding to help you out, so read on to find out more about the purpose of timber cladding on a building.
What Is Timber Cladding?
Cladding is the act of applying one material over another to provide an extra layer to it. It typically has a space between the cladding and the other material to allow rain to run down it. The main uses of cladding generally are to provide thermal insulation and weather resistance, but it also has aesthetic applications as well, blocking things like insulation which might not have the best appearance. Cladding is never an afterthought in building design, as it has a range of benefits which help to improve the structure.
Cladding can be made of a wide variety of materials, including metal, brick, aluminium, cement and wood. Timber is one of the materials that is used for cladding, and is extremely popular with customers seeking a reliable and effective way to clad their buildings. Timber cladding has seen a boom in popularity in recent years, due to its renewability and aesthetic appeal. A natural style has become very sought after in recent years, so properties featuring this kind of cladding are seen as highly desirable to potential buyers and to impress any guests to your home/business.
Timber cladding typically comes in boards of different sizes, panels or shingles. The timber is often overlapped when applied to a structure. Timber cladding can be installed horizontally or vertically, depending on your requirements and vision. Working with a timber merchant will give you access to an amazing range of timber cladding products so you can create a unique building.
Benefits Of Timber Cladding
Timber cladding can help to protect a building or structure from the elements, and it can also provide noise-cancelling benefits. Timber has great noise cancellation, so you may want to consider it if the structure is in a built-up area where there is likely to be a lot of unwanted noise around. This makes it perfect if privacy is a concern for you, or if you run a business where you will be making a lot of noise and want to ensure youâre not causing unnecessary noise pollution.
Many decide to go for timber cladding to promote sustainability. Timber when sourced and harvested correctly is a renewable building resource and also environmentally friendly. Timber cladding is also rot-proof if treated correctly, so you donât have to worry about the outside of your structure decaying over time. Timber cladding does not require as much fossil fuel to create compared to other cladding types, and when it isn’t needed anymore it can be recycled easily into other resources.
Timber cladding is very versatile, and you can use different features and designs to create traditional and modern structures. It is a beautiful material that will enhance the look of any building. You can even mix and match timber cladding with other types of cladding to make a more interesting structure. Design that combines traditional and modern is very popular in 2023. And while it has been getting more popular as the years go by, it is still not everywhere. So choosing timber cladding will help your structure to stand out from the crowd.
Timber cladding can also help you increase the property value of the structure you attach it to. This is key if youâre considering selling in the future. Potential buyers will love the unique and beautiful look of the timber, which means you can expect the resale value to increase. Timber is also a great insulator, so will make your structure more energy efficient, perfect for those cold winter weathers.
Timber cladding is also very lightweight, especially compared to some other cladding materials. This means that it is easy to install because it is flexible and strong at the same time! Also cladding will help you save money over time, as your home will be very well insulated. Youâll also make some money back at the end of the day through resale value.
Downsides To Timber Cladding
Like most cladding types, there is a vulnerability to a fire breaking out, which is even higher if the wood is not treated with a fire-retardant treatment. Due to the gap between the cladding and the wall, during a fire, this can draw hot air up through it and make it hotter. This fire can then get inside the building through open spaces. Some cladding materials have high levels of fire resistance, but even those with a high level can still spread this fire around.
In the wake of the Grenfell Tower fire, there has been a big move in the construction industry to ensure materials used for cladding are as fire-resistant as possible to help prevent the risk of fire spreading.
What Kind Of Buildings Can Use Timber Cladding?
Timber cladding is very popular for buildings and structures that might be in outdoor spaces, such as sheds, summerhouses and outdoor offices. They provide a rustic look to fit in with the surrounding wildlife while providing the insulation needed for the building to be a habitable space in all weathers.
Timber cladding is also used quite often in modern architectural design. A new style that has emerged in recent years is mixing modern architecture with rustic elements, so using timber cladding is a great way to combine these two styles into one cohesive image. Timber cladding blends in well in rural environments due to the connection with nature, but stands out more in urban environments due to the contrast to most other buildings.
Timber Cladding & Noise Management Solutions From Hales Sawmills
Here at Hales Sawmill, you can shop for a great selection of products, including noise management solutions, timber cladding, fencing and much more. Established over 40 years ago, we have been providing customers with high-quality products from our base in the heart of the Shropshire countryside.
A family-run business, we have grown a strong reputation as timber specialists over this time, investing back into the business to ensure we can supply one of the widest ranges of wooden acoustic panels and a great selection of other products to our customers.
In terms of timber cladding, we have a range of great quality options, starting from as low as £3.92! We have cladding such as log lap, which is a planed softwood cladding perfect for exterior buildings such as sheds. Our wood is available in a range of sizes and treatments, including untreated, brown and green.
As well as cladding, we specialise in noise management solutions such as our extensive range of noise-stop barriers. Our wooden acoustic barriers look great but are also able to block excessive noise. They are perfect for any application, from blocking out your neighbours to reducing the noise level at business premises.
We like to present ourselves as a one-stop shop for all your outside needs, providing you with a great selection of products that range from tools and hardware to outdoor decoration and seeds.
Shop Today!
We have branches in Market Drayton and Shrewsbury and you can also shop online for our products, with delivery times for standard products being around 2-5 days on average. Delivery charges depend on location. We also offer free click-and-collect if you live near our branches and want to pop in!
We pride ourselves on offering unparalleled customer service and products that fit perfectly with your vision, so if you have any questions about any of our products, get in touch with us today!