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Types of timber cladding and how to choose the right one
Timber cladding has become one of the most sought-after façade materials in the UK, combining natural beauty with impressive sustainability credentials and long-term performance.
A simple guide
From contemporary residential developments to award-winning commercial buildings, timber cladding offers architects, contractors and homeowners a versatile solution that can transform the appearance of a building.
However, with so many timber species, profiles and finishes available, choosing the right cladding can feel overwhelming. In this guide, we’ll explore the main types of timber cladding available in the UK market and explain how to select the most suitable option for your project.
What is timber cladding?
Timber cladding is an external building material fixed to the outside of a structure to create a protective and decorative façade. It can be installed horizontally, vertically or diagonally and is available in a wide variety of profiles, timber species and finishes.
Beyond aesthetics, timber cladding helps protect buildings from the elements while contributing to improved thermal performance when used as part of a rainscreen façade system. Its natural appearance, renewable origins and ability to weather beautifully over time have made timber a popular choice across both modern and traditional architecture.
Why is timber cladding popular in the UK?
Timber cladding continues to grow in popularity throughout the UK for several reasons:
Sustainability
Responsibly sourced timber is a renewable material that stores carbon throughout its lifespan. Many projects seeking high environmental standards choose timber as part of their sustainability strategy.
Natural beauty
Unlike many manufactured façade materials, timber offers warmth, texture and character that develops naturally over time. Timber can be used across entire façades or incorporated as feature areas to soften brick, steel or render elevations.
Design flexibility & versatility
Available in a huge range of colours, profiles and species, timber can suit everything from rural homes and schools to commercial buildings and multi-residential developments.
Popular timber cladding profiles
The profile refers to the shape of the board and how individual boards fit together. The profile selected can dramatically alter the appearance of a building.
Tongue and groove - VT7
Tongue and groove boards interlock to create a clean, seamless appearance.
Benefits include:
- Contemporary appearance
- Concealed fixing options
- Strong weather resistance
- Suitable for vertical and horizontal installation
Often used on modern residential and commercial projects
Shadow gap - VT9
Shadow gap cladding creates a subtle recessed line between boards, producing strong architectural shadow lines.
Benefits include:
- Modern aesthetic
- Clean, linear appearance
- Popular on contemporary façades
- Creates depth and visual interest
Frequently specified by architects looking for a sleek, premium finish.
Open joint cladding - VT4422C
Also know as ‘Rainscreen’. Open joint systems leave deliberate gaps between boards, allowing a striking contemporary appearance when installed over a suitable backing membrane.
Benefits include:
- Strong visual depth
- Popular for commercial and education projects
- Creates dynamic façades
Particularly effective when combined with contrasting materials.
Other notable profiles
Shiplap cladding - VT6
Shiplap boards overlap slightly to provide excellent water-shedding properties.
Benefits include:
- Traditional appearance
- Good weather protection
- Cost-effective solution
- Suitable for a wide range of projects
A popular choice for garden buildings, homes and outbuildings.
Board on board
Board on board cladding uses overlapping boards to create texture and depth.
Benefits include:
- Traditional appearance
- Excellent weather protection
- Suitable for agricultural and residential applications
Commonly seen on rural and heritage-inspired buildings.
Bespoke options
Our bespoke timber cladding profiles are custom-designed to achieve a specific architectural vision, performance requirement or project detail. They offer architects and designers greater creative freedom than standard off-the-shelf profiles.
Benefits include:
- Unique architectural appearance
- Tailored to project requirements
- Greater design flexibility
- Ability to create distinctive façades
- Can complement complex building geometries
Often specified on landmark developments, high-end residential projects and bespoke commercial buildings where a unique aesthetic is required.
Trusted timber species for cladding
The species selected plays a major role in durability, appearance, maintenance requirements and cost.
Western Red Cedar
A long-standing favourite for cladding projects.
Benefits include:
- Naturally durable
- Lightweight and stable
- Rich colour variation
- Attractive weathering characteristics
Ideal for premium residential and commercial applications.
Thermally Modified Timber
Thermal modification improves durability and dimensional stability without chemical treatments.
Benefits include:
- Enhanced stability
- Reduced movement
- Increased durability
- Contemporary appearance
Popular on modern architectural projects
Accoya®
Accoya® is a modified timber renowned for exceptional performance and longevity.
Benefits include:
- Outstanding durability
- Excellent dimensional stability
- Industry-leading 50 year warranty
- Suitable for challenging environments
Often specified for premium commercial and residential developments where long-term performance is critical.
Pre-finished vs naturally weathering cladding
Factory-finished timber
Factory-applied coatings provide consistent colour and immediate visual impact.
Benefits include:
- Wide range of colour options
- Uniform appearance
- Reduced maintenance requirements
- Greater design flexibility
Explore our most popular coated finishes:
Naturally weathering timber
Many timber species are selected specifically for the way they age.
Benefits include:
- Natural silver-grey appearance over time
- Minimal intervention required
- Organic character
- Timeless aesthetic
The weathering process can vary depending on exposure and location.
Maintenance requirements for timber cladding
Maintenance requirements vary depending on the species, finish and desired appearance.
If maintaining original colour:
Regular cleaning and recoating may be required to preserve the original appearance of coated timber.
If allowing natural weathering:
Maintenance is generally limited to occasional inspections and cleaning where necessary.
Key factors affecting maintenance:
- Building orientation
- Exposure to sunlight
- Coastal or urban environments
- Timber species
- Type of coating used
The good news is that modern timber cladding systems are designed to provide many years of reliable performance when correctly specified and installed.
How to choose the right timber cladding?
Your desired appearance
Do you prefer:
- Contemporary or traditional?
- Smooth or textured?
- Uniform or naturally varied?
The profile, species and finish all influence the final look.
Maintenance expectations
Consider how much ongoing maintenance you’re comfortable with.
Some products are designed to weather naturally, while others are intended to retain a specific colour through periodic maintenance.
Budget
Initial costs vary significantly between species and finishes. Remember to consider lifetime costs, not just purchase price.
Project type
Different applications may benefit from different solutions:
- Residential homes
- Multi-residential developments
- Education buildings
- Commercial projects
- Garden rooms and outbuildings
Sustainability goals
Look for responsibly sourced timber from certified forests and suppliers committed to sustainable practices.
Choose with confidence: over 100 years in business with Benchmark Timber
Timber cladding offers one of the most versatile and attractive façade solutions available today. From traditional shiplap profiles to contemporary shadow gap systems, and from naturally durable species to high-performance modified timbers, there is a solution for virtually every project.
The best timber cladding is not necessarily the most expensive or the most durable, it’s the one that best balances aesthetics, performance, maintenance requirements and budget for your specific application.
By understanding the different profiles, species and finishes available, you’ll be well placed to choose a timber cladding solution that delivers lasting performance and timeless appeal.
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