Timber Cladding Maintenance Guide

Timber Cladding Maintenance Guide

Timber cladding systems have advanced over many years and facade designs are now seen as the next step in modern architecture. Timber cladding is a fast-growing trend as it’s aesthetically pleasing, adding warmth and texture while remaining durable and economically friendly.

Timber Cladding Types

There are many types of timber that can be used for external wall cladding and several techniques to implement them, offering a vast array of aesthetic possibilities for designers and architects.

Multi-depth cladding and high opacity cladding are two of the most popular design trends for modern builds in Australia.

Multi-depth cladding generates texture and depth by using boards of mixed thickness and width. Using shallow and deep pieces of timber allows light and shadows to play as the sun moves throughout the day.

High opacity cladding is created from high-grade textured timber with natural features such as knots and grains. This wood is then coated in a high capacity paint or stain to retain the timber’s tactility and allow unique grain patterns to be the focus.

Cladding Materials

Timber Cladding Maintenance Guide

Different types of timber are used in various climates across the world to suit the conditions that wall cladding must endure.

Western Red Cedar is a soft wood commonly used for cladding because it is more resistant to decay and needs no prior treatment, making it ideal for external cladding. However, because it’s soft it’s usually used in areas where heavy damage is unlikely.

The Elements Timber range supplied by Austim is incredibly durable and dimensionally stable. It has undergone thermal modification and is rot and pest resistant with a 25-year warranty, making it ideal for harsh Australian conditions.

Timber Cladding Treatment

Timber Cladding Maintenance Guide

It should come as no shock that the main key to maintaining the durability of timber is keeping it dry. Wood Finishes Direct recommends coating timber to make sure that it stays looking beautiful for years after it has been installed.

During the design of a new structure, many people decide between two products; one product which requires a high initial cost with lower ongoing maintenance and one product that has a lower upfront cost but will require substantial input in the future to maintain its aesthetics and durability.

It’s recommended that you coat any timber before it’s fitted and use a protective coating system that is both water and UV resistant. Different finishes play a significant part in the life of the cladding; acrylic paint needs the least maintenance, staining provides good longevity, while clear finishes need the most regular attention.

It’s important to remember that any natural product used externally is going to need maintenance, and it’s your job to keep an eye out and catch any potential problems early.

Timber Cladding Maintenance

Like all exterior surfaces, your wall cladding needs to be regularly cleaned to prepare it for maintenance so it may retain its appearance.

The most common issues with wood cladding are staining from surface fixings and fading from exposure to the elements. Cladding will benefit from a good clean to let its beauty shine through and remove dirt, stains, or mould.

Timber Cladding Maintenance Guide

How to Maintain and Clean Cladding

Use a calendar to create a maintenance cycle to periodically inspect and, if necessary, rejuvenate your cladding’s appearance.

The frequency of your maintenance will depend on the type of cladding, what coating system was used, and which parts of your cladding experience the most wear from sun, wind, and rain. Your maintenance period could be anything between 1 to 5 years.

You will need to thoroughly clean your timber before recoating or restaining—one of the best ways to do this is by using specialised timber cleaning products which are designed to get rid of oil, tannins, dirt, mould, and other contaminants on the surface of your cladding.

These are chemically-based, so use drop sheets to protect surfaces and plants. Pressure washing is also an efficient method for cleaning your timber cladding, as it won’t touch the oil or paint on the surface but will clear any other grime that has accumulated.

You’ll need to thoroughly clean and dry your cladding before recoating or restaining it; new coating will be the most effective if it’s applied to a clean, dry surface, protecting the wood for years to come.

What to Avoid

Acetic acid is powerful enough to corrode mild steel as well as galvanised steel screws and is produced naturally in wood! It’s most potent when combined with moisture or salt in the air, so if you’re near the coast, it’s best to use stainless steel or other non-ferrous fixings.

If your project is in an urban area, dirt and pollution will affect the colour and condition of your cladding. It can even make some timbers turn almost black, especially cedar.

Find an expert installer to do the job for you; “If you think it’s expensive to hire a professional to do the job, wait until you hire an amateur.”

Timber Cladding Maintenance Guide

(Saltwater Coast Lifestyle Centre – Australia)

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What our clients say

Austim are a great partner and timber supplier. Our business is based on the East Coast of Australia and we partner with Austim for WA projects. We have had a long lasting and great working relationship with Austim for many years. Highly recommend them.
daniel wright
daniel wright
06:31 18 Jun 19
Austim is always the first place I try when I need timber and it’s rare that I can’t get what I need there. Stuart is a rare gem of a gent to deal with – quick to respond to any queries, full of good advice and goes out of his way to help get whatever project I’m working on happening to my schedule, even when all I need is a few sticks and a handful of fixings. Highly recommend Austim, the team and young Stuart.
Anni Lilford
Anni Lilford
00:51 16 Nov 18
Stuart went out of his way to make sure we got the product we wanted. He made suggestions on possible constructions and timbers suitable. Very knowledgeable friendly staff all around. Excellent experience, highly recommended.
Holger Butenschon
Holger Butenschon
05:14 22 May 18
Hi Ben,Just wanted to thankyou for your help and advice in our selection of the Millboard Vintage Oak decking also in you recommending Grant from Premier Hardwood Decking. Grant has just completed our decking and we couldn't have asked for a more professional, reliable and competent tradesman. The decking has been installed to a very high standard and the decking itself is stunning. Ian and Sue
susan smith
susan smith
06:27 08 Oct 18
I've used Austim on a few occasions for home projects like decking and pergola, etc and each time the response to my requests for price and delivery have been excellent, the deliveries took place as negotiated, the timber quality was great and value for money. The team at Austim do a great job and make dealing with Austim a breeze.
Michael Robinson
Michael Robinson
09:06 25 Oct 18
I have worked with Austim for around 8 years now and they are one of the best suppliers in perth to deal with. I would highly recommend to use them for any timber needs!!!
Art of Timber
Art of Timber
07:55 05 Mar 20
I had been looking for some cedar for my kayak project and had rung a couple of other places with no luck. When I contacted Austim they were very helpful, had the timber in stock and I was on my was in 20 minutes. The wood was very good quality and has really finished up beautifully. Thanks to Austim.
mark alderson
mark alderson
02:03 08 Apr 17
I"d like to thank Austim for there help in supplying me with material that firstly I thought I'd have trouble sourcing as it was marring up with originally 30 year old existing timber.My project was not a massive project but still needed the attention of an new build.The timber supplied by Austim was machined to size with absolute perfection, where I had to remove old pieces and replace with the new pieces they fitted perfectly.once the floors are re-sanded and varnished they will be back to there former glory. Thanks again to the staff at Austim.Regards Bob Heppenstall.I've just added a finished photo after the Floor Sanding was completed.Original timber was Tassie Oak, and the new is Vic Ash, as you can see there is only a slight variation in the final product.I hope this gives anyone thinking doing the same the confidence to proceed. Regards Bob Heppenstall.
Robert Heppenstall
Robert Heppenstall
10:05 12 Oct 18
Great service over phone and by email. Product supplied is high quality - no issues. Staff accommodating and friendly.
M F
M F
00:18 07 May 20
Good service with fair prices.
Colin Della Bosca
Colin Della Bosca
08:14 04 Jun 20
Great service and product.I struggled to find a bench top in the size and material I wanted, so was really happy when I found one with Austim.It came fully protected with wrap and was undamaged when I got it home.Thanks
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Matt Harrison
06:29 08 May 23
Good selection, friendly staff, competitive pricing. Preferred over the 'hardware store'.You can hand pick if you need superior quality, Ben Price helped me with sorting through
Dirk Wachter
Dirk Wachter
03:59 12 May 23
Quick responses, timber prepared to request including cutting to Size. Easy pick up. Highly recommend.
Martyn Lethbridge
Martyn Lethbridge
06:42 05 May 23
We wanted Marri boards to make a bed - Austim provided beautiful planed and sized boards - at a good price - delivered on time......excellent service!
Mark Warren
Mark Warren
06:53 20 Aug 21
Ordered some merbau timber through austim to replace some rotten pine stair treads. The guy on the phone was very helpful .the timber was straight and had no faults or damage. Sent a message with a picture to say the timber had been delivered. Would definitely order timber from them again
Galaxie Galaxie
Galaxie Galaxie
05:25 29 Nov 23
Ron has help me out tremendously with designing and supplying two decks. Everything required to build them including screws Concreate, stirrups and timber. Service is excellent and at competitive prices.
Craig Bussanich
Craig Bussanich
01:25 06 Oct 23
Excellent service! The gentlemen that served us was so helpful and sorted out our kitchen bench top in 15 minutes! Great product!
sophie sherlock
sophie sherlock
07:24 06 Oct 23
Wow! What amazing customer service. Ron took care of working out what I needed and guided me expertly through the product range. Invoice was raised on Wednesday afternoon and the wonderful Wade delivered my order on Friday morning. He went above and beyond what would normally be a kerbside delivery, changed the Hiab strapsTo longer ones and expertly delivered it safely over my side wall. Super impressed, he’s a keeper Austim!
Wilma Ashby
Wilma Ashby
00:10 22 Mar 24
Absolutely amazing service and knowledgeable team and specially Tim very knowledgeable and friendly and knows his stuff.
Hey_Jay0472
Hey_Jay0472
02:37 10 Jan 24
Very tidy and well laid out timber warehouse with a well stocked accessories shop. Friendly staff with great product knowledge and advice.
Gerard
Gerard
07:37 22 Mar 24
Competitive pricing and quality product with a knowledgeable team backing it. Ben assisted me in finding the best matching colour composite timber slats for a project, had them in stock and delivered within days of ordering. Prompt delivery and nicely wrapped for protection. I've even been quoted more $ from their competitors who are local to me when I needed more and Austim still beat them, even with delivery! I know where I'll be going when I need to start the decking project, thanks team.
Ryan Markwell
Ryan Markwell
14:31 27 Jul 24
Fantastic customer service. Tim exceeded all my expectations, providing me with great advice and managing to keep within my project budget. Would highly recommend Aus-Tim
Caroline Bradbury
Caroline Bradbury
02:23 15 Apr 24

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