Timber cladding: The weatherproof, cost-effective styling for UK homes

Timber cladding: The weatherproof, cost-effective styling for UK homes

9 Jan

Timber cladding can be used on individual walls or surfaces to provide a unique, natural finish. It is also an ideal weatherproof solution for exposed walls on rural properties.

Due to its effectiveness in reducing the impact of driving rain and dampness on rural properties, as well as its aesthetic benefits, timber cladding has experienced a resurgence in demand in recent years.

At PTP Mid Wales, we offer a variety of timber cladding options, including softwood and hardware solutions to suit your needs and budget.

In this article, we will provide an overview of the properties of each type of timber cladding, along with suggestions for their optimal use. If you're interested in our western red cedar and larch cladding solutions, you can order them from our Mid Wales showroom or contact us at 01982 553319 for a comprehensive quotation or with any questions about our range.

We take pride in offering locally sourced and produced timber cladding from Mid Wales, which has a low carbon footprint. Our red cedar and larch timber is sourced from Wales and the borders and is sawn to specification at our sister company, Llandre Sawn Wood, giving us full control over the manufacturing process and enabling us to meet the demands of individual to large commercial projects. By sourcing our timber locally, we reduce the environmental impact of our products and help you meet the environmental requirements of your construction project.

Popular types of timber cladding for houses

Western Red Cedar Timber Cladding (WRC)

Western Red Cedar timber cladding (WRC) is highly regarded as one of the UK's most preferred options for timber cladding due to its natural durability and stunning appearance. It provides a cost-effective cladding solution suitable for various building projects. At PTP Mid Wales, we can offer rough-sawn or planed and machine profiled (such as tongue and groove) cedar cladding to meet your specific requirements and preferences.

This timber has a natural oily-based composition, often making it unnecessary to treat during its lifespan.

Larch Timber Cladding

Larch has been a popular choice for cladding buildings for many years due to its durability and strength. Initially starting as a rich golden brown colour, it gradually develops an appealing silver and grey hue over time.

Larch timber is highly resilient and tough, possessing excellent strength properties. This species is often preferred for heavy structural work, decking, and cladding. Larch can be cut as rough-sawn, but it also looks great with a machine-profiled finish, where the grain runs smoothly and consistently throughout the timber.

Douglas Fir Timber Cladding

Our homegrown softwoods include Douglas Fir, which is known for its exceptional hardness and strength. This species is particularly well-suited for landscaping due to its durability and versatility. It is a dense timber with a high resin content, making it an ideal choice for flooring and cladding applications. We have observed a significant increase in demand for Douglas Fir, particularly in flooring and cladding, where it provides an excellent finish when machine profiled.

We are Timber Cladding Specialists

At PTP Cladding, we are committed to providing a comprehensive service to meet all of your cladding needs. In addition to our range of high-quality timber cladding options, we also offer complementary products to help you achieve a polished and complete finish for your building project.

Our range of fixings includes a variety of screws, nails, and brackets suitable for various cladding materials and installation methods. We also offer corner details designed to join cladding sections, ensuring a consistent appearance throughout seamlessly. Our fascia boards provide a neat and tidy finish to the edges of roofs and walls, while our window sills offer a practical and stylish solution for window surrounds.

By offering these complementary products, we ensure our clients have everything they need to complete their cladding project to the highest standards. Our team is always available to provide expert advice and guidance, and we are committed to ensuring that our clients receive the highest level of customer service at all times.

What is Timber Cladding?

Timber cladding refers to the process of dressing buildings with timber to create an aesthetically pleasing finish while also serving as a protective layer against moisture and air penetration. This eco-friendly method is commonly known as "weather" boards or "weatherboarding."

There are several popular species of timber used for cladding, including Western Red Cedar, Larch, and Douglas Fir. These options are highly durable and versatile, making them well-suited for a variety of building projects. Timber cladding is an excellent choice for those seeking an environmentally sustainable construction option with a low carbon footprint.

“PTP Cladding offers a comprehensive range of locally sourced timber cladding options, including Western Red Cedar, Larch, and Douglas Fir. From our own milling operation in Mid Wales, we produce feather edge and profiled tongue and groove formats to suit various project requirements. With our extensive experience and expertise, we can help you select the right timber species and format to achieve your desired aesthetic and functional outcomes. We also provide a variety of complementary products such as fixings, corner details, fascia boards, and window sills to ensure a polished finish for your building project. At PTP, we pride ourselves on offering high-quality, environmentally friendly products with a low carbon footprint.”

— Andrew Jones, PTP

Timber cladding can be used on individual walls or surfaces to provide a unique, natural finish. It is also an ideal weatherproof solution for exposed walls on rural properties.