British Cedar Cladding
High Quality British Western Red Cedar Cladding
Cedar cladding is commonly used for exterior walls, roofing, fencing, decking, garden structures, and interior wall/ceiling coverings. It’s also ideal for renovations, sheds, and a variety of commercial and public buildings due to its durability and natural beauty. Cedar’s resistance to decay and sustainability make it a favoured choice in construction.
– British cedar sourced in Wales
– From FSC managed forests
– Supplied uncoated
We offer a range of timer cladding profiles that can be viewed on our timber cladding profile page.
Here’s a tailored guide for installing cedar cladding, highlighting the key steps for ensuring longevity and visual appeal. Cedar is a naturally resilient and attractive softwood, featuring inherent preservatives that make it an outstanding choice for exterior cladding.
Tools and Materials Needed:
- Cedar cladding boards
- Stainless steel nails or screws
- Hammer or screwdriver (depending on your choice of fasteners)
- Saw
- Spirit level
- Breathable waterproof membrane (if required by your application)
- Battens (to create an air gap behind the cladding)
Preparation:
- Measure the area you plan to clad to determine the quantity of cedar cladding required.
- Choose the grade and profile of cedar cladding that best suits your desired look and functional needs.
- Prepare the wall surface to ensure it is clean, dry, and level. If applying over insulation or an irregular surface, you may need to install a frame of horizontal battens affixed to the wall.
Installation Process:
- If necessary, apply a breathable waterproof membrane over the wall or insulation, starting from the bottom and overlapping sheets by at least 150mm as you ascend.
- Install horizontal battens on the wall if needed, spacing them according to the cladding profile. Make sure they are level and allow for ventilation at both the top and bottom.
- Begin the cladding installation from the bottom corner of the wall. Use a spirit level to guarantee that the first board is perfectly horizontal.
- Attach the cladding boards to the battens using stainless steel nails or screws, leaving a small gap (typically 2mm) between boards to accommodate expansion.
- Overlap or join the cladding boards following your chosen style (e.g., ship-lap, tongue and groove), and ensure that any board joints are staggered across the wall for enhanced strength and aesthetics.
- Progress up the wall, verifying the level of each board before securing it. Trim boards as necessary to fit around windows, doors, or corners.
- Treat the cedar cladding with oil if desired. Cedar can also be left untreated to age naturally, or it can be treated with a protective oil to preserve its appearance. Oiling timber in September can be a good practice, especially after it has had a full summer to dry out.
Benefits of British Cedar Cladding
Distinctive Aesthetics
Cedar cladding features a captivating range of colours, from rich reddish-brown to pale yellow. This natural beauty is unparalleled and adds a timeless and inviting allure to any structure.
Natural Resilience
Cedar's reputation is built upon its remarkable ability to resist decay, repel insects, and withstand moisture, making it an outstanding choice for exterior applications. This natural resilience not only sets cedar cladding apart but also positions it as a prime candidate for cladding that demands robust and low-maintenance solutions. Opting for cedar cladding ensures both enduring protection against the elements and a hassle-free, long-lasting exterior solution.
Ease of Maintenance
Cedar cladding requires minimal maintenance, typically involving periodic cleaning and resealing to preserve its appearance and protective qualities.
Cedar Cladding FAQ
British cedar cladding is specifically sourced from cedar trees grown in the UK. The key distinctions include its local provenance, which may contribute to a lower carbon footprint due to shorter transportation distances. British cedar often has its own unique grain patterns and colour variations that reflect the local climate and soil conditions, offering a distinctive look compared to cedar sourced from other regions.
Cedar cladding is known for its longevity, with a well-maintained exterior potentially lasting several decades. The natural oils present in cedar wood help protect against rot, insect damage, and weather-related deterioration. With proper installation, regular maintenance, cedar cladding can last upwards of 40 to 50 years.
Yes, like all timber cladding, British cedar cladding requires some level of maintenance to retain its appearance and prolong its lifespan. This typically includes cleaning, inspecting for damage and, if you wish to keep its appearance, applying a protective oil every few years to enhance its natural durability and resistance to the elements.
Cedar cladding is considered an environmentally friendly option due to wood being a renewable resource. When sourced sustainably, as is often the case with British cedar, it supports local forestry practices and reduces the carbon footprint associated with transportation. Additionally, cedar’s natural insulating properties can help reduce energy consumption for heating and cooling.
Cedar cladding is versatile and can be used in a wide range of climates due to its natural resistance to moisture, decay, and insect damage. It performs well in both dry and wet conditions, making it suitable for use in most geographic locations. However, in extremely humid or coastal environments, additional treatments may be recommended to protect against excessive moisture and salt air exposure.
Our Reviews
glen britton28 April 2023The service and quality of the timber outstanding
Nick Woodcock8 April 2022Very help and will be ordering soon
Rob Monshin2 April 2021As always fantastic service , timber cut to size perfectly , delivered on time .
Peggy Romer29 October 2020Possibly the most friendly and helpful company I've used. Always kept me up to date and provided useful advice. Will be using them again soon!
Lloyd English14 July 2020Super company to work with. I found Mathew and his team really helpful, and the examples they have of different cladding helps no end when deciding what to go for. Great value and the fact the wood is grown, felled and sawed in Wales proves it truly is a local product. Highly recommend this company.
James Scott-Cook18 December 2019Bought some waney Edge larch cladding from this company good price, good quality did two gable ends with it looks great