Real wood cladding offers a natural finish that enhances aesthetics, sustainability, and durability. It protects wood from UV deterioration, moisture absorption, and staining from mildew and extractives, improving the service life of topcoats and achieving a certain visual aesthetic. Timber cladding needs protection from the elements, and finishes minimize weathering and increase fire resistance. Cladding offers greater design freedom and flexibility with a range of materials, colors, orientations, and finishes. Timber cladding’s visual appeal is a major advantage, and its timelessness makes it a prime solution for various applications. Pre-finished wood cladding looks better, performs better, and costs less than finishing it on the job site. It must be durable, solid, dimensionally stable, and suitable for various weather conditions. Exterior wood cladding is done by layering thin strips of wood to enhance a home’s design and add insulation against moisture and air penetration.
📹 Can Composite Decking Be Used as Cladding? – TimberTips
Composite decking products have come a long way over the years. 25 year+ stain and fade warranties have made them an …
Do you need to treat wood cladding?
Wooden cladding is the most exposed exterior element to climatic aggression. Some claddings, like wood composite cladding, do not require maintenance, but for others like Douglas fir, it is necessary to maintain them regularly. Untreated wood siding can tarnish over time due to rain and UV rays. To avoid costly renovations, it is recommended to apply a wood siding treatment every two years or even annually. When the cladding starts to appear grey or shows visible damage, it is time to protect it.
There are various maintenance products available, such as saturators and stains to protect the wood from natural hazards and grease removers to brighten up grey woods. It is essential to judge when it is the right time to maintain your wooden cladding.
Does cladding need membrane?
The use of a breather membrane in cladding is crucial for exterior applications, as some timber species and modified timbers, like OrganoWood, are better at dealing with water. Local building regulations may require a breather membrane for building permission, and its location can affect the need for a membrane. For exterior applications in high rainfall areas, a breather membrane may be necessary, while interior applications in low humidity spaces may not.
The construction method also plays a role, with tighter, overlapping boards providing better water resistance. In general, a breather membrane is recommended for exterior cladding, while interior cladding should be consulted with a professional. EcoChoice offers advice on timber installation and trade timber supplies.
How do you protect raw wood outside?
To protect your outdoor wood from woodworm and rot, use a biocidal cleaner and an undercoat wood preservative. Stain the wood to give it a new look, and choose from wood oils, varnishes, wood sealers, and decking oils to balance protection and durability. Timber is a versatile construction material used for thousands of years, but most of it is susceptible to decay if left untreated. This is due to the focus on faster-growing softwoods like pine, which is not enough sustainable wood to meet demand.
Most buildings in the UK contain untreated timbers that can be affected by woodworm or damp, dry, or wet rot. These organisms negatively impact structural strength and can even cause structural damage. It is crucial to take action when active timber decay is identified to prevent structural damage to the building.
How do you finish wood cladding?
Solid-color paints are a popular choice for long-lasting protection of timber cladding. These opaque, acrylic-based products have the capacity to conceal the grain of the wood, thereby offering a visually appealing and enduring aesthetic. However, in the United Kingdom, exterior cladding is susceptible to deterioration caused by various weather conditions, including precipitation, snow, wind, and solar radiation. These factors can impact the visual appeal and structural integrity of the cladding.
How do you protect natural wood siding?
To ensure the longevity and durability of your wood siding, use a high-quality sealer that can withstand harsh weather conditions. Wood naturally expands and contracts, making it vulnerable to issues like chipping paint, cracking, and deteriorating caulked seams. Choose a sealer that can withstand scorching heat to freezing cold, and apply it annually to protect your siding.
To maintain the integrity of your wood siding, stain and paint it regularly. Staining acts as a penetrative sealant, protecting wood fibers from moisture and preventing issues like cracks and chips. However, changing the stain color can be challenging once applied. Painting covers the natural wood color and allows the wood’s texture to shine through, making it a suitable choice to change the previous stain.
How do you protect exterior wood cladding?
To protect wood cladding, remove existing coatings, neutralize the wood, and apply a water-based, colored opaque, or saturating wood oil finish. If a previous coating has been applied, use Aquanett, a solvent-free wood oil remover, to remove any old oils, including teak oil. Aquanett’s gel-like consistency makes it suitable for vertical surfaces without excessive dripping or mess. It also helps prepare the wood for its new coating by improving adhesion and penetration, which are compromised with a previous coating. Aquanett is suitable for environmentally sensitive areas and can be applied to vertical surfaces without excessive dripping or mess.
How do you finish wood for outdoor use?
Outdoor wood furniture should be protected with oil-based or latex exterior paint over primer, or multiple coats of spar varnish for complete moisture sealing. Recoat the furniture every one or two years, depending on wear, peeling, cracks, or dullness. Furniture should be covered or stored under shelter during extreme weather to guard wood and finishes from further damage. This ensures a long-lasting and durable outdoor furniture.
Does wood cladding need an air gap?
Wood cladding typically requires an air gap for proper ventilation and moisture management. The specific requirements may vary depending on the wood type and installation details. To fasten tongue and groove cladding to a wall, install furring strips or battens, align the first board with the top of the wall, nail it in place, securely interlock the tongues and grooves, and trim the last board to fit.
The term “profile” refers to the style of cladding, such as loglap with a curve and shiplap with a scallop for better water run-off. Matching cladding, with its two chamfered edges, has a matching v-groove where the boards meet.
Should all exterior wood be treated?
Building codes dictate where treated wood can be used, typically in areas with moisture risk. Outdoor wood should be pressure-treated, while interior design wood like cabinetry or furniture doesn’t require the same level of treatment. The AWPA states that the type of wood treatment depends on its usage, and extra steps are needed to finish pressure-treated wood in indoor or outdoor projects that may come into contact with humans or pets.
The chemicals in pressure-treated lumber are pesticides, so handling them with the same precautions as any potentially hazardous material is crucial. Wearing gloves and face protection is recommended, as sawdust from cutting the wood can be irritant.
What happens if you use untreated wood outside?
If your outdoor wood is untreated, it’s crucial to treat it immediately to prevent rot, fungi, and weathering. Use a wood preservative, either a wax-enriched preservative or a wax-free preserver, for an all-round coating. If the wood is dip-treated or paint-stained, it may fade after 6-12 months and provide less protection against the weather. Treat this with a wood stain, paint, or preserver. You can treat un-treated or dip-treated wood at any time.
How to waterproof timber cladding?
Penetrating sealers are a popular choice for cladding houses, as they create a hydrophobic barrier without altering the timber’s natural appearance, offering long-lasting protection for both horizontal and vertical applications.
📹 Always the BEST Finish for Exterior Wood – The Restoration Couple
Time to get the brush out and get the old timber cladding transformed! The weapon of choice is OSMO UV Oil which has always …
Trust me, you’ll be redoing Osmo every year of your life. I eventually got fed up and stripped it off and went with varnish – least I get 2 to 3 years out of it now. In future I would only use oak externally and let it go grey and then its self preserved. Osmo is a poor performer for the money – it hols up to moisure fine wind and direct sun strip it right off.
So I’m about 6 weeks away from receiving a brand new softwood log cabin, I’ve been advised by the supplier to use a water based product such as Cuprinol Garden shades. None of which float my boat on colors. I’m just in the process of installing a heap of oak sleepers from which one of your other articles inspired me, Had every intention of using the clear Osmo oil on these and the new log cabin. The supplier said they have had better results from the water based product but i really want to use the Osmo UV and possibly WR base to cover the wood boring insect possibility. I would love to know how the garage is holding up 2 years down the line. Keep the article’s coming, They are great!
Looks like a really satisfying job and well rounded off with a fishing trip. I’ve been perusal your brilliant articles for inspiration on my own, seemingly endless, restoration house and barn project. Osmo are a fantastic range of products and although they may be expensive, if you apply with a cloth and work it in like Tung or Danish oil a little goes a long way and the finish really brings out the detail of the wood, rather than just coating it. The great thing is that like these other oils you can apply it and then go back and even it out by rubbing it with the cloth to remove streaks and shiny spots. Works well on furniture too. Cheers!
Nice finish with Osmo, not used it myself but had lots of recommendations to use it. There is a very similar Eco product called Treatex. Check out their website. They do inside and outside oils and finishes. Not sure how it compares price wise but I have used it inside on floors and it is a very nice hard wearing finish. Andy UK