Articles: Timbers That Will Put a Spring in Your Step

With January just about to end it might seem a little odd to start thinking about spring. Being in the middle of winter can shorten our sights, as we wake up and go home in the dark we can sometimes forget that the Spring is really only around the corner. We huddle up at home, with the heating at near breaking point as we wait for our world to thaw.

What we can do while jobs get called off and everyone tries to work indoors, is plan for the better weather that’s ahead of us. We supply a range of products that are ideal for use outside including cladding, decking and cedar slats (We can also offer slats in Siberian Larch if you prefer).

As these are all machined products, they can take us longer to produce than items that are sawn to size so it’s worth ordering ahead so you are ready to begin when the weather starts turning in March and April (ignoring the threat of April showers of course).

Popular products for outdoor use

As you can imagine, one of the most popular uses for external timber is cladding. With a range of species available, it’s easy to tap into traditional and contemporary styles depending on your own vision for your property.

Clean, modern installations tend to bring vertical T&G boards to the fold, with the most popular species being Canadian Western Red Cedar along with Prime Quality Oak. However, a similar effect can be garnered from Unsorted Siberian Larch and Light Character Oak respectively, as long as you can accept more knots in the build.

On the opposite end of the spectrum is the more traditional clads, for example, feather edge (weatherboard) or waney edge finishes. These designs are frequently associated with old fashioned buildings, making them popular on cabins and barn conversions.

A modern twist on an old method

For those interested in Japanese culture, you may of heard of the charred cladding method. Where timber is charred black before being applied on the wall. While this is an effective method of cladding a building, it can be very expensive, especially for something where the colour will fade over time.

As an alternative we are offering painted black Feather Edge and Tongue and Groove cladding, which are both brilliant products with very little maintenance. They are ready to be fit straight onto the wall and only require touching up on the ends to complete your building. They offer the same dark black finish as the charred cladding, which lasts longer for maximum satisfaction.