Judging by the increased number of enquiries and reports of good sales growth from TDCA members, there is a healthy interest in using timber to create a natural and attractive cladding finish to beautifully designed, low carbon buildings.

Janet Sycamore, Director of The Timber Decking & Cladding Association (TDCA) says that many of its members have been working round the clock to meet demand with some selling out as soon as a delivery arrives. “If 2020 is anything to go by, then the popularity of timber cladding has never been greater.”

New cladding choices

Despite the obvious challenges in 2020, TDCA members continued to innovate and successfully bring new products to market with colour, texture and durability being top of the list of attributes required.  Products such as the award winning IRO timber cladding with a striking grain appearance – durable and finished with a protective cream, it comes in a range of 15 colours.

Finish Line cladding from James Latham is another example. Combining modified wood (Accoya), timber engineering and surface protection, this specialist process can even create a distinctive two-tone effect with some of the 12 colour options available.

Ecochoice is also offering a pre-weathered range where the cladding is supplied with a natural looking silvery grey finish to provide colour consistency throughout the weathering process.

A new ‘must have’ cladding resource

Correctly designed, specified and installed, timber cladding will have a long and low maintenance life.   But do you know your roof batten from your cladding batten or how to calculate the ideal length for your fixings or what type they should be?  This and many other topics are addressed in the new Cladding Handbook produced in partnership with the Timber Trade Federation and supported by the Wood Protection Association and Wood Campus.  Developed to support the growing cladding market, this go-to 48-page resource provides clear, relevant and up to date information for specifiers, buyers and installers.

The Handbook references a new version of the TRADA External Cladding manual which is due for release in April. The two documents go hand in hand – The Handbook acting as a forerunner with summarised and illustrative guidance with the TRADA one being more detailed and of particular interest to the architect.

Janet concludes ‘’given the number and type of cladding enquiries we have been receiving, we expect our new collaborative booklets to literally fly off their virtual shelves whilst recognising that some people will still want a copy they can physically pick up and flick through’’.

The Cladding Handbook is free to download or available in hard copy (£12 inc p&p) from www.tdca.org.uk .