External Timber Cladding As An Alternative To Brick Or Siding
20 May 2012
The use of external timber cladding has gained in popularity recently due to its many advantages over conventional siding or brick. external timber cladding is much cheaper to produce, and is recyclable. It can be converted into pulpwood for use in all types of paper products. A timber cladding wall is usually an external wall of a building. The cladding comes in sheets or individual planks. It is most often used to improve the aesthetics of a building. It can also serve as a moisture barrier. Timber cladding can be painted. It has versatility in that it can be installed either vertically or horizontally. Timber cladding is sometimes misconstrued as acoustical wall panel. Acoustical wall panels are installed on the interior walls or ceilings of a building. They are for the sole purpose of reducing sound reverberation and echoes. Timber cladding should be chosen with consideration as to durability of the wood. Some types of wood are more durable than others. Cedar and European oak provide the best durability. Using either of these types of wood, the expected replacement time frame for the cladding is between 15 and 25 years. Pine or fir is less durable and the lifespan of the cladding is reduced greatly to between 10 and 15 years. Several factors can impact on the cost of using timber cladding. The type of wood, whether it has been treated, cost to transport it, and the degree of maintenance required.