Type: Softwood
Source: North America & Canada
OVERVIEW
Western Red Cedar is a very popular choice for external timber cladding projects and offers a distinct and beautiful colour. Cedar is easy-to-work with, and its inherent design and colouration creates an aesthetically beautifully building finish. Its lightweight qualities, design and durability make it a popular choice for large scale projects.
Suitability of Profiles
Wide choice of standard profiles.
| Profile | Cladding Joint | Horizontal | Diagonal | Vertical | Thickness |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tongue & Groove | Closed | Yes | Yes | Yes | 20mm min. |
| Rectangular | Closed | No | No | Yes | 16-25mm+ |
| Feather Edge | Closed | Yes | No | No | 9mm x 16-15mm |
| Shiplap | Closed | Yes | No | Yes | 18mm |
| Parallelogram | Open | Yes | No | No | 16-25mm+ (up to 50mm) |
DURABILITY
| Desired service life (years) | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural durability class | Need for treatment/modification | Occasionally wet | Frequently wet |
| 1 (Very durable) | Suitable without treatment | >60 | 60 |
| 2 (Durable) | Suitable without treatment | 60 | 30 |
| 3 (Moderately durable) | Suitable without treatment except for tall or exposed buildings | 30 | 15 (untreated) |
| 4 (Slightly durable) | Treatment required | 15-30 years treated | 15-30 years treated |
| 5 (Not durable) | Treatment required | 15-30 years treated | 15-30 years treated |
| Common Name | Natural Durability Class BSEN350:2:1994 | Sapwood Treatability | Movement | Strength |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Western Red Cedar (Canadian) | 2 | Resistant | Small | Low + |
TREATMENTS & FINISHING
- Easy to work with both hand and machine tools. Holds paint well.
- Stains, glues, and finishes well.
| Cladding Treatment | Notes | For which species? |
|---|---|---|
| Tanalith (Green) | High Pressure Treatment – Green Coloured Finish. Once treated, timber can go in the ground | Soft Wood Only |
| Tanalith (Brown) | High Pressure Treatment – Brown Coloured Finish. Once treated, timber can go in the ground | Soft Wood Only |
| Vac – Vac (Clear – Yellowish) | Low Pressure Treatment – Green Coloured Finish. Can only use above ground | Soft Wood Only |
| Fire Retardant | Pressure Treatment | All Species |
| UV Protection | Vacuum Applied | All Species |
| Full Range of Stains and Colours | All Species | |
| Clear Lacquer | Vacuum Applied | All Species |
SPECIFY
If you have decided that Timber Cladding is going to be one of the materials on your project the next step is to create a specification that will meet the criteria and expectations you, and your client have.
We offer installation guidance, detailing guidance based on TRADA documentation, with a wealth of knowledge and information on how different timbers will perform over the life span of your project.
Considerations that should be made when it comes to weather, along with how elevation and design variations can impact timber cladding.