Common Wood Cladding Questions
What wood is best for external cladding? +
The best woods for external cladding include Western Red Cedar, Larch, Douglas Fir, and Accoya. Cedar is naturally resistant to rot and insects, making it extremely durable. Larch offers excellent strength and weathers to an attractive silver-grey if left untreated. Accoya is a modified timber that provides outstanding stability and comes with a 50-year guarantee against rot.
What is wood cladding? +
Wood cladding is an exterior or interior covering made from timber boards that protects and enhances buildings. It serves both functional and aesthetic purposes, shielding walls from weather whilst creating an attractive natural finish.
How to put wood cladding around a sink? +
To fit wood cladding around a sink, first ensure all timber is properly sealed. Measure and mark the sink's position, then cut out the shape using a jigsaw. Seal all cut edges and joints with waterproof sealant or varnish to prevent water damage.
How to put up wood cladding? +
Start by fitting a breathable membrane to external walls. Install vertical battens at 400-600mm centres. Begin at the bottom with a starter strip, ensuring it's level. Fix each board to the battens using stainless steel nails or screws, working upwards.
What wood for cladding my garage? +
Larch and Douglas Fir are excellent choices for garage cladding, offering good durability at reasonable cost. Western Red Cedar provides superior weather resistance if budget allows. For maximum longevity, consider Accoya modified timber.
How to char wood cladding? +
Charring (Shou Sugi Ban) involves burning the surface with a blowtorch until deeply charred. Brush away loose char with a wire brush, then apply a protective oil finish. This naturally preserves the timber and creates a distinctive black finish.
How to clean wood cladding? +
Clean annually using a soft brush and mild detergent solution. Gently scrub to remove dirt and algae, working with the grain. Rinse with low pressure water and allow to dry completely before applying any treatments.
How long does wood cladding last? +
Untreated softwood may last 10-15 years. Western Red Cedar can last 40-60 years with proper care. Larch typically lasts 30-50 years, while Accoya comes with a 50-year guarantee and can last up to 80 years.
How much does wood cladding cost? +
Materials range from £10-80 per square metre. Total project costs including labour, battens, membranes, and treatments typically range from £4,000-15,000 for an average home.
How to treat wood cladding? +
Apply a UV-protective wood stain or oil within the first few weeks of installation. Recoat every 2-5 years. Cedar can be left to weather naturally to silver-grey or maintained with cedar-specific treatments.
What nails for wood cladding? +
Use stainless steel or hot-dipped galvanised ring shank nails to prevent rust staining. Nail length should be at least 2.5 times the cladding thickness to adequately penetrate battens (typically 50-65mm).
How to remove wood cladding? +
Carefully pry off any trim pieces and corner boards. Locate and remove fixings using a nail bar or drill. Work systematically from top to bottom, gently levering boards away from battens.
How to paint wood cladding? +
Clean the cladding, sand lightly, and fill any gaps. Apply a quality wood primer. Once dry, apply two to three coats of exterior wood paint in thin, even layers, allowing proper drying time between coats.
Where to buy exterior wood cladding? +
Exterior wood cladding is available from timber merchants like Nottage Timber. We offer a wide range of profiles and species with local delivery across South Wales.
Our Cladding category brings together a range of timber cladding boards designed for exterior wall covering, weather protection and decorative façades. Timber cladding enhances the appearance of garden buildings, garages, workshops, sheds, and other outdoor structures while providing a durable, interlocking surface that sheds water and performs well in changing weather conditions.
This category includes several popular cladding styles — such as shiplap, tongue and groove, Western Red Cedar, Thermowood and more — each selected for performance, appearance and suitability for outdoor use. Different cladding profiles and timber species offer flexibility in design, so whether you want a traditional overlapping finish or a contemporary façade, there’s an option to match your project.
Supplied by Nottage Timber Merchants, a local timber merchant in South Wales, timber cladding boards are available for Click & Collect from our yard in Pyle or local delivery across SA, CF and NP postcodes using our own vehicles. Our team can help you choose the right cladding style, board size and finish for your build — just ask before you place your order.
For quick access, explore the different styles below: Shiplap Claddings, Tongue & Groove Cladding, Western Red Cedar Cladding, Thermowood Claddings, Loglap Cladding.
