Timber Vs. Composite Cladding: How Are They Different? | CCC

When you are thinking about what cladding material t use, you may face a choice between using timber and composite timber cladding. Understanding how the two work can make all the difference between getting real value from your cladding. For this reason, it helps to understand how the two work and the differences when installed on your house.

Timber Cladding

When it comes to timber cladding, you can choose from a  wide variety of wood types, each offering different properties. For example, some hardwood timbers offer darker hues while others offer lighter shades. In most cases, timber cladding is heavily treated with chemicals to ensure that it remains termite proof and does not fade easily. Hardwood cladding is a lot more durable than softwood cladding even after treatment. This is something a homeowner should keep in mind when deciding between the two types of wood.

Composite Cladding

When it comes to composite cladding, you get a synthetic alternative to using real wood. The composite materials are made by mixing different materials to create a finish that looks like timber but has a lot more to offer than ordinary timber. Here are some of the ways in which the two materials are different.

Durability

Given the fact that composite timber cladding is made from synthetic materials, it tends to be far more durable than most of the timber cladding. Hardwood cladding comes close but still does not have the staying power of composite materials. Part of the problem with real wood cladding is that they are prone to attacks by termites and moisture leads to rot and mold. Some wood types may last longer tan others, but eventually timber cladding will fall prey to these elements. With composite timber cladding on the other hand, you never have to worry about rot or termite attacks.

Maintenance Costs

because composite timber is a lot more resistant to weathering, UV rays and many other elements that destroy timber cladding, you are likely to face significantly lower maintenance costs when you go with composite timber. This type of cladding retains its original colors for longer and does not fade. The net result is that you do not have to repaint your house. Wood cladding on the other hand will require sanding and, painting and sealing several times over the lifespan of the building. If you are concerned about maintenance costs, you should probably work with composite timber cladding.

Cost

When purchasing the two cladding materials, timber cladding tends to be somewhat cheaper than composite timber cladding. However, if you look at the cost of ownership over the lifespan of the building, the cost of composite cladding is significantly lower than that of timber cladding. This is because the former does not require much maintenance and is also relatively easy to install.

Aesthetics

Unless you paint over your wood cladding, you can only get the wood color, perhaps with different shades depending on the type of wood that you use. This is very different when it comes to composite cladding where you have a lot more variety to choose from. Composite cladding not only offers different colors but even different textures, giving you more options when you need to personalize the look of your building.