Helpful Tips
  • Get your brief overview of the design, e.g. a   modern, contemporary etc,
  • Consider the wood look, i.e. grain patterns finishes, e.g. natural/unfinished whitewash, translucent, opaque
  • Select the type of machining finish (planed/sawn/brushed) sawn or plane wood surface finishes
  • Consider the profile and orientation ( waney edge shiplap, TGV Shadow gap etc as some profiles should only be installed horizontally. All finished factory products should have eased edges.

    Most Common Timber Cladding Profiles, Patterns, Mouldings

  • Consider the fixing method you require do you need any visible fixing or not see… Cladding fixing methods
  • What lengths do you need- random or specific, can these be joined, g. finger-jointed, supplied crosscut to length – do they have to be all long lengths ? or you can use short lengths
  • Consider the moisture content of the product offered air dry (AD), Green, (WET,  Fresh cut/sawn), kiln dry (KD) It is advisable only to use air dry, and kiln dried. The moisture contents for the different applications are given below;
    • 18% MC average moisture content for exterior cladding
    • internal cladding for unheated buildings12%-16% MC moisture content
    • internal cladding for heated buildings at 9%-13% MC moisture content
  • Do you need any additional treatments, e.g. fire treatments these will impact on the lead times of your order and other factors? Timber Cladding Fire Treatment and     Fire Treatment Questions and Answers
  • What is the delivery lead time? Lead times will vary from one product to the other
  • Know your specification, quote description or terminology? Moreover, establish how it relates to the British Standards. You will frequently see these terms depending on the species you are ordering.
    • FAS, SAPS,Prime and Better,Super Prime,1 Common,S/F Sawfalling,IVths,A/B,U/S unsorted,85/15 Clear 2/3,No 2 Clear and Better PEFC Green,No2 Clear and Better allowing max 15% 4 Clear PEFC Green, No 4 Clear and Better, SILA A/B, Grade A B?

(trigger questions on the quality offered –  have any lower grades been quoted for or included? What is the price difference with the higher grade only.- Request confirmation of the durability or service life etc.

 Before placing an order request a reasonable size control sample appx 0.5mtr x 0.5mtr, ordinarily, a percentage of the sample cost is refundable on order placement. It may be difficult to get a display sample for very bespoke finishes, profiles or treatments

Ordering Quantities

  • Allow for minimum 10% waste and extra for pressure and kilned fire retardant treatments.
  • Calculate the area based on the profile face/laid cover and not the overall size.
  •  It is usually more expensive to order top-ups, additions or order make-ups of a smaller quantity than initially ordered due to some factors, e.g. increased setup costs; minimum order value costs. Moreover, prices of most speciality timbers tend to fluctuate.

Receiving Delivery

  • Ensure your product is CE Marked, and check for the appropriate environmental certification Chain of custody FSC/PEFC Chain of Custody CoC FSC/PEFC    and Where can I find Certified Products?
  • If you a credit account customer check for quantities ordered against delivered; merchants  tend to oversupply depending on the product as a guide approximately 10% for bespoke machined goods ( if this is of concern always request a lumpsum price)
  • Avoid damage during offloading some species get damaged easily during handling
  • All prefinished oiled lacquered boards should have a separating membrane which should not be removed during storage as it prevents boards/coating sticking together.
  • For prefinished orders ensure you have touch up paint for ends, cuts or fixing hole touch-ups.

Acclimatising

  • It is important to note that most species when exposed to the elements, e.g. direct sunlight are bound to distort, cup, split/ surface check, this also applies to pressure treated timbers before installation.
  • Allow boards to acclimatise or dry to the desired moisture content for the application.

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