These days, external timber cladding is an important part of any building project, offering protection and insulation against the elements while also improving the overall aesthetic of a property. But which cladding material should you choose? Thermowood cladding and larch cladding, such as homegrown larch cladding or Siberian larch cladding, are two popular options, but there are some key differences between them. Let’s take a closer look at both materials to help you decide which one is right for your project.
What Is Thermowood Timber Cladding?
Thermowood timber cladding is a modified form of pine that has been treated to increase its durability and performance in outdoor settings. As part of the thermowood treatment process, moisture content is reduced and cell walls are compressed, making it less prone to warping or cracking than untreated lumber. As well as increasing the material’s longevity, this treatment also gives thermowood cladding an attractive silver-gray color that many homeowners find appealing.
What Are The Benefits Of Choosing Thermowood Cladding?
Thermowood timber cladding offers a range of benefits when compared to other forms of cladding materials. These include durability, thanks to its heat treatment process, as well as low maintenance requirements and long-term cost savings due to its long lifespan. Thermowood timber cladding is made from pine or spruce wood that has been thermally treated to improve its durability and resistance to rot and decay. The thermal treatment process changes the structure of the wood, making it more stable and resistant to moisture. Some of the key benefits of thermowood cladding include:
- Increased durability and lifespan
- Reduced maintenance requirements
- Improved resistance to rot and decay
- Enhanced dimensional stability
- Cost savings compared to other timber cladding while still retaining the durability of e.g., larch cladding.
Since thermowood is made from pine, it’s also an environmentally friendly option that can help reduce your carbon footprint when compared to using hardwood like oak or mahogany.
What Is Larch Cladding?
Larch wood has been used in construction for centuries due to its natural resistance to rot and decay caused by wet weather conditions. UK larch, for example, is moderately durable. Siberian larch, however, is a tough timber, that’s dense and resinous and very stable in use when dry. This makes it good for use in outdoor projects such as cladding or decking installations where exposure to extreme temperatures or moisture levels can be expected. We stock both homegrown larch cladding and Siberian larch cladding. Siberian larch cladding also has a creamy yellow brown colour that helps give it a classic look that many people find desirable for outdoor builds.
What Are The Benefits Of Choosing Larch Wood Cladding?
Larch, like thermowood, provides excellent protection against rot or decay caused by damp conditions over time. It’s also affordable, like thermowood timber cladding, making it a good choice if you’re operating on a budget but still need high-quality results from your build project. Not only that, but larch wood offers excellent thermal insulation properties too so you won’t have to worry about losing heat during winter months or your home becoming too hot in summertime either! It should be noted that UK larch cladding has high resin content and may not be as stable as e.g., Siberian Larch as the homegrown version can be prone to warping and twisting.
Thermowood and Larch External Timber Cladding – Sout West Supplier
Both thermowood and larch wood offer unique benefits when used as cladding material on buildings and decks, so deciding which one is best for your project will depend on what you require from the finished result, be it aesthetics, thermal insulation or affordability, and how much you are willing to invest in order to get those desired results. Whichever one you choose though be sure to take proper care when installing either type of cladding material. Doing so will ensure maximum longevity and performance from whatever solution you opt for in the end!