If you’ve ever been shopping for timber or timber cladding, you may have noticed that different types of timber come in different shades. All woods are unique and the colour of your timber can depend on the type of tree it came from, as well as the region where it was grown. In this article, we’ll be taking a closer look at why timbers can differ so much in colour.
Timber Colour Variations By Species
As a leading Somerset timber cladding supplier, we know the most obvious factor in the colour variation of timber is the species it comes from. Different trees contain different pigments and these pigments react differently when exposed to air and light. For example, oak is usually yellowish-brown, cherry is reddish-brown, and walnut tends to be more chocolate brown. These variations are due to the presence of tannins in the wood which react with oxygen when exposed to air or light to create distinctive colours. The amount of tannins present also determines how stable wood will be over time; woods with high levels of tannins will resist fading better than those with low levels. When it comes to different timber cladding colours, Canadian Cedar cladding is a red/brown colour, and when exposed to rain and sunlight, Western Red Cedar goes an attractive silver grey colour. Siberian Larch cladding has a consistent creamy yellow-brown colour, and European Redwood cladding (Scots Pine) is a reddish colour, as is Red Grandis Cladding.
Environmental Factors
The environment in which a tree grows also plays an important role in determining its colouration and, therefore, the underlying colour of timber cladding boards. Trees grown in warmer climates tend to have darker colours than those grown in colder climates because they don’t need as many protective pigments against UV radiation or moisture evaporation. Trees grown in wetter climates generally produce lighter coloured wood because they contain fewer tannins and other protective compounds that darken wood fibres naturally over time.
Age Of The Tree – Timber Cladding Colours
The age of a tree can also affect its colouration and, therefore, the colour of the timber external cladding boards. For example, older trees tend to produce darker coloured wood due to the accumulation of more protective compounds over time, while younger trees tend to produce lighter-coloured wood because they haven’t had enough time yet to accumulate these compounds. This is why some older trees may appear darker than their younger counterparts even if they’re from the same species and growing in similar environments – their natural defences have simply had longer to develop and become more pronounced over time.
Treatment For Timber Cladding Boards
High-pressure treatment for timber cladding can affect the colour and can, of course, prevent the timber cladding from fading into a lighter shade over time.
Timber Cladding Colours – A Wide Variation
No two types/species timber are exactly alike; each one has its own unique characteristics that contribute to its overall colouration. While some factors such as species and environment play an important role in determining a timber’s colouring, others such as age and pressure treatment can also play a part too. By understanding how these variables contribute to your chosen timber cladding‘s overall appearance, you can make sure that you get exactly what you want out of your next timber purchase!