How To Choose Timber Cladding – Top Tips from Glenalmond Timber Company

Timber cladding is increasing in popularity in the UK. This stylish, environmentally friendly and cost-effective building material is perfect for internal and external cladding projects. To give you more information, we decided to interview a specialist from Glenalmond Timber Company Ltd. Glenalmond Timber Company Ltd are an industry leader in timber cladding, we asked them for top advice on how to choose the right timber cladding and to reveal some information regarding their flagship product – structurally finger jointed timber.

TO START WITH, WHO ARE GLENALMOND TIMBER COMPANY LTD AND WHERE ARE YOU BASED?

We are a third generation family timber business based in Perth PH2 7BD and Methven PH1 3QF. Perth is our key distribution and treatment terminal where we unload our timber vessels. We currently handle timber and OSB and concrete block vessels. Methven is where our main factory production site is.

WHAT SERVICES DO YOUR OFFER?

We offer a full range of standard cladding profiles and species along with specialist textures such as drift wood, panel beaten and riven grain effect. We are also home to the largest finger jointing line in the UK. This allows us to defect cut and process any length up to 12m, removing butt joints and providing our customers with straight and true boards whilst removing waste (and cost) from site. We also offer stained finished to most RAL numbers (RAL is a colour matching system defining standard colours for paint and coatings used in Europe. The colours are used in architecture, construction etc.).

WHAT ARE THE ADVANTAGES OF CHOOSING A TIMBER CLADDING FOR A SELF-BUILD?

There are a lot of advantages of choosing a timber cladding to other kinds of cladding. The time of application is relatively short. Minimum 30 year service life without coating is a good durability result. Moreover, it is a very enviromentally friendly solution characterised by low carbon emission level. The aesthetics is another advantage of timber cladding with relatively low costs in comparison to other cladding solutions.

HOW DO YOU ADVISE YOUR CLIENTS IN TERMS OF SELECTING THE OPTIMAL SOLUTION FOR THEIR PROJECTS?

Firstly, we discuss what the client wants to achieve and whether it is a contemporary, traditional or more rustic look. Then we need to establish whether it is a horizontal or vertical design. This allows us to ascertain species, grade of species and most suitable profile. We will then look at project elevations and determine if there is an advantage in finger jointing to exact lengths or not. Next, we will send multiple images of finished projects and profiles with similar designs and finally we will send samples to the customer to approve. It is always a good idea to visit our production facilities as we can talk through other options, such as new innovative textured profiles .

WHAT OF YOUR CLADDING PRODUCTS ARE THE MOST OFTEN CHOSEN BY SELF-BUILDERS?

Self-builders in Scotland when choosing a vertical cladding mainly go for board on board or a cover strip options. In horizontal cladding all the options are popular. It can be log lap, secret nail detail, rain screen, shiplap etc.

COULD YOU PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION REGARDING THE MANUFACTURING PROCESS OF STRUCTURALLY FINGER JOINED CLADDING THAT YOU OFFER?

Yes, we produce structurally finger jointed material in accordance with CE marking and current relevant EN standards. We use a type 1 clear adhesive which is approved for fully exposed applications. The joint is generally 2-3 times stronger than the timber. Finger jointing and defect cutting significantly reduces unsightly defects and results in far straighter material. It can also increase the yield buy 30-40% from the sawn log making better use of high quality fibre.

High profile FJ projects include soon to be aired DIY SOS (FSC textured coated black Siberian Larch), Grand Designs (PEFC Siberian Larch textured uncoated), the Stonehenge visitor centre (FSC English Sweet Chestnut), the Lodge at Perth racecourse (FSC Scottish Larch FR treated) and most recently the 9m long cladding extension to the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary (PEFC Siberian Larch).

FOR AN AVERAGE DOMESTIC HOME, HOW MUCH MIGHT IT COST TO INSTALL TIMBER CLADDING?

The prices vary depending on the species of timber and method used, but if I could set up an average price it would be about £35m2 plus labour including nails, for a low basic specification timber.

WHAT ARE YOUR TOP TIPS THE SELF-BUILDERS SHOULD FOLLOW WHEN CHOOSING TIMBER CLADDING?

Make sure they contact a specialist manufacturer of cladding with in house design facilities. That way they can be made aware of the grades, costs and species suitable for their project and can visit in person to discuss option and to make sure their expectations are met in full.