What is wooden cladding?
Wooden cladding is a timber material that is supplied in cut lengths.
What is cladding used for?
Timber cladding can be used in the construction of sheds and summerhouses. It can also be used to encase or cover a building with an extra layer to protect it from the elements, or to improve its aesthetic appeal. It is also referred to as weather boards or weatherboarding
The three most popular types of timber cladding profiles in the UK are loglap cladding, shiplap cladding and tongue and groove cladding.
Tongue and Groove Cladding
Tongue and groove cladding is the popular choice for summerhouses and garden sheds and is ideal for use on houses. The boards interlock into each other to create a flush, contemporary look with a rigid structure.
Shiplap Cladding
There are two types of shiplap cladding – standard shiplap and tongue and groove shiplap. Standard shiplap cladding overlaps the preceding board while tongue and groove shiplap cladding interlocks. Named for the way ships were built in the past, shiplap cladding boards gives a tight, water resistant seal. This is the most popular choice for garden sheds as the design of the cladding will allow the surface of the shed to dry quickly.
Loglap Cladding
As the name implies, loglap cladding has a rustic looking profile which will give a log cabin style finish to any garden room. Similar to shiplap cladding, loglap cladding timber has a curved face. The back of the cladding is flat, allowing it to be fixed securely to walls.
What are the benefits of cladding?
Timber cladding is structurally strong and resistant to cracking in extreme heat conditions. It offers negligible water absorption and is resistant to pollution from the air and chemicals. Cladding can withstand heavy rain and strong winds and is resistant to mould and decay. Timber cladding is a renewable resource with a low carbon footprint as it can be recycled at the end of its life. Offering excellent thermal and sound insulation, cladding is lightweight, strong and beautiful in appearance.
At Witham Timber, all our timber cladding is sourced from sustainable Scandinavian stock, a slow-grown, quality timber; Scandinavian timber performs better in wet weather and is extremely stable. Our cladding timber is sourced from forests that are responsibly managed to provide environmental, social and economic benefits in the country of origin.
All our cladding is machined timber and is pressure treated for extra-long life. The pressure treatment used can result in the timber swelling and this should be taken into account before construction begins; the drier your timber, the fewer issues with shrinkage you will encounter. Perfect for building your own shed, summerhouse, playhouse or even kennel, or for cladding a garden office, our full range can be viewed here.