Timber Cladding Texture – Finding the Right Texture and Finish for Your Build

Timber cladding is highly regarded by architects and building designers alike for its ability to entirely revitalise the look and feel of any building. It’s an aesthetically pleasing material and is often the perfect solution for those wanting to vastly improve the visual appearance of their building.

However, with so many high-quality species available, it’s important that you choose one which is right for your specific project. No two species are the same, so it’s imperative you understand the different finish each provides.

In a previous guide we discussed the colour and appearance of the different species, but in this guide we take a closer look at the texture of various types of timber cladding materials.

Squarebird-Office-2

European Redwood

Although not as durable as some other species, European Redwood is a strong and reasonably hard timber cladding material (especially when you consider its weight – it has an average density of 520 kg/m3). It possesses superb machining properties and can be planed to a smooth, clean finish in a wide range of thicknesses, widths and profiles.

European Redwood is available in a number of grades, with the key ones being A and A+ Quality. Whereas A Quality contains a spread of knots, A+ Quality will have a much lower number of knots, and size of them.

View our European Redwood timber cladding case studies >

Siberian Larch

Siberian Larch is a very attractive timber cladding choice. It is considered as having a desired finish and provides beautiful colouring and texture. The shapes and patterns of the growth rings are easy on the eye and add real character to each cladding panel. It also contains a spread of solid knots throughout.

It is a slow grown, high density wood with a tight grain, making it one of the hardest commercial softwoods around. It is moderately durable and isn’t as vulnerable to knocks, scrapes and scratches as some other woods are, which is why it is a timber particularly suited to areas of potential high impact, such as schools and shops.

View our Siberian Larch timber cladding case studies >

British/European Larch

British/European Larch has a greater number of knots and more grain character compared to its Siberian counterpart. The knots are brown and can be scattered and frequent, but it’s important to note that they may loosen and weep resin for 12 – 18 months.

It has a tendency to distort when wet or not undried, but once dry it is generally stable.

Canadian Western Red Cedar

Canadian Western Red Cedar is another timber cladding specie well known for its stunning appearance. Not only does it contain beautiful grain patterns, but its warm red and brown tones help to create a timber that is rich in personality.

It is a very stable timber and generally doesn’t contain many knots.

This specie is predominantly used where attractive appearance and weather resistance is of high importance.

View our Canadian Western Red Cedar timber cladding case studies >

British Sweet Chestnut

British Sweet Chestnut provides an excellent finish and is another one of our favourite timber cladding species. It is a lovely golden colour with a strong straight grain and occasional dark brown mineral streaks.

It is a hard-wearing timber and like Larch, isn’t too vulnerable to knocks, scrapes and scratches. It is therefore naturally suited to external cladding, joinery and decking.

View our British Sweet Chestnut timber cladding case studies >

Timber Cladding with NORclad

From smooth contemporary to rustic tough, timber cladding can be used to create various finishes.

Hopefully, this guide has provided you with some valuable information about a selection of the timber cladding species available. However, if you’d like to find out more about a certain specie, or if you’d like advice on which specie is best suited to your project, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with one of our timber cladding specialists today. We’ll be more than happy to talk you through the different options and help to make sure you utilise the perfect specie for the nature of your project.

See more: Modern Timber Cladding – How to Use Timber Cladding for a Modern Building

See more: Interior & Exterior Wall Cladding Ideas