NORCLAD British Sweet Chestnut & Oak Timber Cladding

Primarily we see Softwoods specified for timber cladding, NORclad are also able to offer selected Hardwoods; British Sweet Chestnut, and Oak; UK, European and American.

The above species are often finger-jointed to cut out defects and offer a more usable length, which can be beneficial when working on length specific projects.

British Sweet Chestnut Timber Cladding offers a similar golden colour to oak, but with stronger and more pronounced grain. Sometimes selected as an alternative to Oak, Sweet Chestnut is a lighter species whilst still being very stable, a straight grained, hard-wearing and durable timber.

Oak by nature is a slightly heavier timber, often used for Timber Frame projects. When selected for Timber Cladding it is vital that the species is either, Air Dried, or Kiln Dried. If Oak is specified as ‘green’, the Moisture Content will be far too high, likely to cause issues machining, and certainly allow for movement and distortion once installed.

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Detailed Information

Tannins

With both Oak and Sweet Chestnut it should be noted that for the first few months after installation the high tannin content of the timbers will begin to exude. This is turn will result in staining where the timber either comes into direct contact, or has poor interface detailing with other materials such as render, masonry, or permeable stone. As with all all of our Softwood claddings, we once again recommend Stainless Steels Fixings are used on Hardwood timbers, the Tannins within Oak and Sweet Chestnut will corrode ferrous metals.

Weathering

Left uncoated, both Sweet Chestnut and Oak will weather down over time – the natural variation in colour of the freshly machined boards will even out to a more uniform silver grey.

Wood Type

UK Sweet Chestnut – Hardwood

Oak – Hardwood

Origin

UK Sweet Chestnut – Across the UK

Oak – UK, Europe, America

Sustainability

UK Sweet Chestnut – Sourced from well managed forests – FSC certified available on request.

Oak – Sourced from well managed forests – FSC® and/or PEFC® certified available on request dependent on origin selected.

Availability

UK Sweet Chestnut – Sawn and planed products in a wide range of thicknesses, widths and profiled patterns.

Oak – Sawn and planed products in a wide range of thicknesses, widths and profiled patterns.

Colour

UK Sweet Chestnut – Light straw like appearance, with colour variation due to finger jointing.

Oak – Range of colours, spreading through yellow to brown. Colour variation may be more apparent on finger jointed specification.

Fixings

UK Sweet Chestnut – Stainless steel fixings are always recommended.

Oak – Stainless steel fixings are always recommended.

Typical end uses

UK Sweet Chestnut – Cladding

Oak – Timber Frame, Cladding.

Durability

UK Sweet Chestnut – Durable (Class 2 EN350-2)

Oak – Durable

Density

UK Sweet Chestnut – 550 – 650 kg per m3 at 16% moisture content.

Oak – 670+ kg/m³ average.

Dimensional stability

UK Sweet Chestnut – When the product is finger jointed and moisture content is 18%, movement will be small.

Oak – When the product is finger jointed and moisture content is 18%, movement will be small.

Strength & working properties

UK Sweet Chestnut – Sweet Chestnut resembles Oak, although is easier to work with than Oak. Pre-drilling would be recommended.

Oak – Pre-drilling, and screw fix would be recommended.

Typical section sizes

UK Sweet Chestnut – Ex 25mm x 75, 100, 125, 150mm

Oak – Ex 25mm x 75, 100, 125, 150mm

Typical Lengths

UK Sweet Chestnut – Jointed at either 4.0m or 6.0m, allowing for a small % of cutbacks.

Oak – Finger jointed lengths open up the availability to match specification.

Typical Lengths

UK Sweet Chestnut – Sweet Chestnut has a high tannin content which can be released when the timber becomes damp or wet. This can lead to staining in contact with metal or ferrous fixings. It is advisable to protect any surfaces that may come into contact with the board prior to fixing. Staining may be removed using an oxalic acid cleaning agent. Once the tannins have exuded, untreated the timber will weather to a silver grey.

Oak – Oak has a high tannin content which can be released when the timber becomes damp or wet. This can lead to staining in contact with metal or ferrous fixings. It is advisable to protect any surfaces that may come into contact with the board prior to fixing. Staining may be removed using an oxalic acid cleaning agent. Once the tannins have exuded, untreated the timber will weather to a silver grey.

Profiles

NWA4

NWC4

NWC5

PSE

NWCC1

Get in touch for other requirements, including bespoke profiles, various sized PSE boards and Window reveals/cill.

Specify

If you have decided that Timber Cladding is going to be one of the materials on your project the next step is to create a specification that will meet the criteria and expectations you, and your client have.

NORclad will be happy to talk through what is available and enable you to select, amongst others: species, profile, size, treatment, requirement for Euro Class B, service life.

We offer installation guidance, detailing guidance based on TDUK documentation, with a wealth of knowledge and information on how different timbers will perform over the life span of your project.

Considerations that should be made when it comes to weather, along with how elevation and design variations can impact timber cladding.

Please get in contact if you would like NORclad to create an H21 specification for you, or download direct via NBS here.