Should you clad your outbuilding in timber?

When designing or upgrading your outbuilding, choosing the right exterior material is a must. Over the past couple of decades, timber cladding has become an increasingly popular choice thanks to its aesthetic appeal, ease of installation and wide array of functional benefits. But is it a suitable choice for your outbuilding project?

To help you make the right decision, our EcoChoice team has looked into why using cladding is a great idea and how you can choose the best species for your building. Let’s dive straight in!

Why Use Timber Cladding For Your Outbuilding?

Timber cladding brings more to your outbuilding project than just good looks. Whether you are building your outhouse from the ground up or giving your existing structure a little renovation, by choosing timber cladding you will benefit from:

A natural aesthetic – Blend your outbuilding with your garden by using timber, bringing a warm, natural aesthetic to your space.

Eco-friendly points – As a biodegradable and renewable building material, it does not get much greener than timber! If you are interested in creating an eco-friendly project, we recommend checking out information about how timber is a carbon-sequestering material, helping reduce greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.

Added durability – Protect your outbuilding with a natural durable timber species (which we will talk more about in the next section) which is resistant to rot and insect infestations.

Insulation perks – Tired of being chilly in your outbuilding? Give your walls the boost of natural insulation by using timber cladding, which is an effective material to keep the cold outside and the warm inside. Lovely!

We have already mentioned that timber cladding is fairly easy to install, and if you have DIY experience (or are willing to learn), it is a job which you could potentially do by yourself.

Choosing the Best Timber For Your Outbuilding

Unless you are intending to treat your timber, we recommend opting for a highly durable species for a long-lasting structure (at least a durability class 3, but ideally a durability class 2). Some options which come with the EcoChoice seal of approval include:

Larch

Douglas Fir

Cedar

Thermally modified Radiata pine

Oak

All these timber species boast an excellent natural resistance to potential threats, including weather conditions (such as rain and UV rays), fungi and insects. If you opt for a species such as these, you wont have to treat your timber before installing, though we do recommend a little maintenance as the years go by, including checking for any splits in the wood and adding oil to replenish lost moisture.

Find Sustainable Timber at EcoChoice

Ready to clad your outbuilding in timber? Find the perfect species for your project by contacting the EcoChoice team today. With years of experience in the industry and a passion for sustainably sourced timber, we will be happy to help match your project requirements to the wood which is perfect for the task.

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