Ruby's New Cladding Range
Introducing the newest additions to our cladding range
Choosing Your Cladding
Use the table below to compare different timber types and find the one that's right for you
| Material | Type | Origin | Durability | Movement Class | Knots | Colour | Modified Timber | Fixings | Recommended Wastage | Key Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Redwood | Softwood | Scandinavia | Class 4 | Medium | Variable | Warm, natural reddish-brown. Can have greenish tint due to treatment. Silvery-Grey over time | Chemical Treatment | Stainless Steel | 5-10% | Pressure treatment enhances resistance to rot and decay. Versatile and easy to machine for precise cladding profiles. Durable for external use with proper treatment maintenance. Reliable structural integrity, suitable for long-term applications. |
| Home Grown Larch | Softwood | UK | Class 3 | Medium | Variable | Warm pinkish-brown tones, visible knots, and durability with natural grey weathering. | No | Stainless Steel | 5-10% | Naturally durable and resistant to decay without additional treatment. Strong and dense timber, offering good impact resistance. Contains natural resins that increase weather resistance. Medium movement, providing reasonable stability for cladding. |
| Home Grown Cedar | Softwood | UK | Class 3 | Medium | Variable | Light reddish-brown hues that weather to a silver-grey over time | No | Stainless Steel | 5-10% | Naturally durable with inherent resistance to decay and insects. Lightweight, making it easier to handle and install. Low-density timber, offering good thermal insulation properties. Excellent workability for a range of cladding styles. |
| Redwood Thermowood | Softwood | Finland | Class 2 | Small | Variable | Deep, rich brown tones that weather to an elegant silver-grey | Heat treatment | Stainless Steel | 15-20% due to Brittleness | Heat treatment significantly increases durability and stability. Low moisture absorption, reducing the risk of warping or shrinking. Highly stable under varying weather conditions. Enhanced lifespan due to improved resistance to decay. |
| Accoya | Softwood | New Zealand | Class 1 | Very Small | Very Few | Pale cream or light blonde colour and weathers to a soft silver-grey | Chemical Treatment | Stainless Steel | 15-20% due to Brittleness | Class 1 durability with outstanding resistance to rot and decay. Extremely stable, with minimal swelling, shrinking, or warping. Suitable for demanding environments, including high-humidity areas. Long service life, outperforming many untreated hardwoods. |
| European Larch | Softwood | Northern Europe | Class 3 | Medium | Few | Rich reddish-brown tones that weather gracefully to a silvery-grey patina | No | Stainless Steel | 5-10% | Highly durable, with Class 1-2 resistance to decay. Extremely stable with low to medium movement. Hard and dense, offering excellent structural integrity. Naturally resistant to weathering and wear. |
| Western Red Cedar | Softwood | Canada/North America | Class 2 | Low | Few | Rich reddish-brown tones that weather gracefully to a silvery-grey patina | No | Stainless Steel | 5-10% | rich reddish-brown tones that weather gracefully to a silvery-grey patina. |
| Iroko | Hardwood | Africa | Class 2 | Low | Few | golden to medium brown and weathers to a soft silver-grey | No | Stainless Steel | 5-10% | Highly durable, with Class 1-2 resistance to decay. Extremely stable with low to medium movement. Hard and dense, offering excellent structural integrity. Naturally resistant to weathering and wear. |
| Iro | Softwood | Scandinavia | Class 3 | Low | Variable | Charcoal Black, Mountain Grey or Driftwood Silver | Heat Treatment | Stainless Steel | 10-15% | Heat-treated for superior durability and reduced susceptibility to decay. Enhanced stability with minimal warping or shrinking. Low water absorption, improving long-term performance. Engineered for consistent quality and durability. |
| French Oak | Hardwood | France | Class 2 | Medium | Medium | light to medium golden-brown colour, silvery-grey weathering | No | Stainless Steel | 10-15% | Strong and dense, offering excellent structural durability. Naturally resistant to decay and insects. Medium movement, ensuring good dimensional stability. High strength-to-weight ratio for robust cladding applications. |
Cedar vs. Larch - What's the difference?
We created an in-depth blog detailing the differences between the two softwoods, which you can find here, however in short the main difference between Cedar and Larch is the colour of the two timbers.
Cedar offers a stunning reddish-brown to dark brown colour with beautiful grain patterns, whereas Larch’s has a natural yellow-brown hue and is well known for it's texture, with the shapes and patterns of the growth rings - providing real character to each panel.
Cedar is known to be more lightweight in comparison to Larch, with Larch being a dense but durable wood. Cedar offers thermal properties, meaning that it operates well in both hot and cold climates.
Cladding Profiles
Shadow Gap
- Visual Appeal: The angled cuts create dynamic shadows that give the surface a three-dimensional look, increasing visual interest.
- Durability: Designed for both interior and exterior use, its sturdy construction withstands environmental elements well.
- Contemporary Design: Ideal for modern architectural designs, the shadow profile contributes to a clean, avant-garde aesthetic.
Shadow profile boards create a unique visual effect by casting a shadow along the joints when installed, which enhances the geometric appearance of the exterior or interior surfaces.
This profile is especially popular in contemporary architecture for its ability to add depth and dimension to flat surfaces.
Its design is straightforward yet highly effective in creating striking visual patterns that are both modern and sophisticated.
Loglap
- Rustic Appeal: Loglap mimics the traditional log cabin style, adding rustic charm to buildings without the need for full logs.
- Lightweight: Despite its robust appearance, loglap is easier to manipulate and install than actual logs.
- Insulation: The thickness and overlap of loglap boards contribute to better thermal insulation, enhancing energy efficiency.
Loglap cladding is designed to give the aesthetic appeal of a log cabin, featuring boards that have a curved profile to resemble logs.
This type of cladding is used primarily on exteriors and provides the appearance of solid logs while utilising less material, making it more cost-effective and easier to install.
Loglap offers a charming, traditional look and is often chosen for its robust, natural appearance.
Shiplap
- Weather Resistance: The overlapping design ensures that water and wind are effectively blocked, making it ideal for harsh weather conditions.
- Ease of Installation: The interlocking design simplifies alignment and fixing, reducing installation time and complexity.
- Timeless Aesthetic: Shiplap provides a classic visual appeal that enhances the value and appearance of any home, adapting to many styles.
Shiplap siding consists of wooden boards designed to interlock in a way that forms a tight seal, which is particularly useful for exterior applications. The design features a rabbet or notch cut into the edges of each board, allowing them to overlap and create a distinct aesthetic that is both functional and visually appealing.
This style is popular for achieving a rustic, farmhouse look that is also weather-resistant and durable.
Tongue & Groove
- Smooth Surface: The interlocking joints hide fasteners, resulting in a clean, visually appealing finish without visible nails or screws.
- Strong Joints: The tongue and groove connection provides enhanced structural stability and strength across the joined boards.
- Versatility: Suitable for various applications like flooring, paneling, and ceilings, adapting easily to different design needs.
Tongue and Groove wood consists of boards that are precisely milled to fit snugly together, featuring a protruding tongue on one edge and a groove on the opposite edge. This fit ensures tight joining and a seamless, stable surface that is highly valued in both flooring and wall paneling.
The interlocking nature of the boards provides superior durability and a refined look, making it an excellent choice for high-quality finishes in homes and commercial spaces.
Planed Square Edge
- Precise Construction: The uniform and smooth edges facilitate precise cuts and fit, essential for detailed and fine carpentry work.
- Minimalist Look: The square, smooth edges offer a clean, modern aesthetic that complements a minimalist design style.
- Sleek Finish: Ideal for projects that demand a polished finish and precise angular corners, enhancing the overall sharpness of the design.
Planed Square Edge timber is precisely machined to produce smooth, square-edged boards that are ideal for a wide range of construction and carpentry tasks.
These boards are extremely versatile due to their uniform dimensions and smooth finish, making them perfect for projects requiring a high level of precision and a clean, minimalist aesthetic.
This type of wood is often used where the integrity and aesthetics of the wood are paramount.
Waney Edge
- Natural Edge: Waney edge boards retain the natural curve of the tree's bark, giving each piece a unique and irregular shape. This creates a natural, handcrafted appearance.
- Minimalist Look: Perfect for countryside or rural settings, waney edge cladding evokes a traditional, rustic feel. It is often used for barns, garden buildings, and heritage properties.
Waney Edge Cladding features a half-machined profile, with one side being planed square and the other left as the natural bark profile.
These boards are very versatile in nature, however are usually reserved for more rustic applications.
Things to Consider Purchasing with our Cladding
Corner Trim
For the finishing touch to your cladding project, it may be worth considering also purchasing corner trim.
It also serves several important functions in both residential and commercial construction such as hiding seams and imperfections, aesthetics and structural integrity.
UV Protection
No matter what profile, timber or finish you decide on for your cladding, we always recommend treating your cladding with UV Protection at least every 6-12 months. This is because continued, unprotected exposure to the elements can cause issues such as shakes and warping - UV Protection will protect your timber against this.
We recommend Osmo Oil, which is available in types Clear, Larch or Cedar!
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does timber cladding last?
With proper care and maintenance, timber cladding can last anywhere from 15 to 30 years+, depending on the type of wood used and the exposure to weather conditions.
Do I need to treat timber cladding?
While it is optional, treating timber cladding with a preservative helps to protect it from weathering, UV damage, rot, and insects. Regular maintenance treatments are recommended to prolong the wood's lifespan.
What is the difference between horizontal and vertical timber cladding?
Horizontal cladding creates a traditional look and allows water to run off easily, while vertical cladding provides a more contemporary design. Both options offer good protection, but the choice depends on aesthetic preferences.
What is the best wood for timber cladding?
Cedar and Larch are commonly used for cladding due to their natural resistance to rot, decay, and discolouration however we offer a range of timbers, each with their own pros and cons.
Does timber cladding provide good insulation?
Yes, timber cladding offers excellent insulation properties, both for heat and sound. When combined with additional insulation materials, it helps improve the energy efficiency of a building.
Do you offer bulk discounts?
We offer discounts on bulk purchases of cladding! The discount will be listed beneath the price and will also appear once added to your basket.
Is timber cladding fire-resistant?
Untreated timber cladding is not fire-resistant. However, fire-retardant treatments, such as Zero Flame, are available for timber cladding, which can improve its fire performance
Is timber cladding waterproof?
While timber itself is not waterproof, when treated with a wood preservative and installed properly, it provides a protective barrier against rain. Adequate sealing and overlapping boards help keep moisture out.
Does your cladding arrive with fixings?
No, fixings would need to purchased with the cladding.
