When it comes to protecting the exterior walls and giving your property a high level of insulation and weather resistance, cladding is an excellent way to go. There are several different materials (vinyl, steel, aluminium, brick, timber) used for cladding, and one very popular choice is timber (or wood). Timber cladding gives your building a beautiful and unique exterior, coupled with good stability and weatherproofing. Timber cladding also happens to be available in a wide variety of species (different types of trees), and one of the best specie to consider is the ‘Siberian Larch Timber’. Here is a run through of the main benefits to using Siberian Larch Cladding.
Siberian Larch Timber
Siberian Larch is a type of softwood that typically grows around the Finnish border and towards the east to central Siberia (which explains its name). This specie of timber can be described as a frost-resistant tree, seeing as how it is capable of withstanding adverse freezing temperatures. This harsh climate makes the growth of the Siberian Larch to be incredibly slow, but it is also what injects the timber with the highly useful properties that make them well suited for external projects like exterior wall cladding.
Durability
Durability is one of the main factors to consider when choosing the right cladding material. Installing cladding can be expensive so make sure you consider the lifespan of the product you are purchasing. Finding rot or unsightly splits in the cladding can mean removing large portions of the boards in order the be able to replace them.
Aesthetic Appeal
Siberian Larch has a very smooth texture and is known for giving quite a desirable finish. In terms of colour, Siberian Larch looks creamy to golden-yellow when it is first harvested; however, this colour gradually weathers to a beautiful silver-grey colour if the wood is not stained or treated. The patterns and shapes of the timber’s tight growth rings are also very pleasing and give each cladding panel a unique character.
Durability
With a high density of about 590-650kg/cm3, Siberian Larch is one of the hardest types of softwood available on the market (even harder than Scots Pine). Its high density makes it a very durable material for exterior cladding. Siberian Larch also has a high content of natural non-reactive resin, which gives it excellent resistance to rot and decay. Compared to other species of wood, Siberian Larch is not as vulnerable to scrapes, scratches and knocks, which means that they will be able to maintain their finish for a long time.
Good Workability
Contrary to what you might think, the high density, strength and scratch resistance of Siberian Larch do not make it a tough wood to work with. In fact, Siberian Larch can be sawn, drilled, glued and machined quite well, making it not only practical but efficient for projects like cladding.
Longevity
Siberian Larch can have a service life of over 50 years with the right kind of treatment. Without treatment, the expected service life is around 30-50 years. If treated Siberian Larch is used for your cladding, it is recommended that you re-apply the finish every 3 to 4 years at a minimum. This can be costly in the long run which is why lower maintenance cladding systems have increased in popularity of the years.
Maintenance
Maintenance
Siberian Larch will require a fair amount of maintenance. It’s naturally occurring non-reactive resin will protect it against decay and rot to a degree but you’ll likely encounter uneven weathering on different parts of the cladding. For easier maintenance and longevity, it is always recommended that you regularly treat Siberian Larch. This will prevent fast weathering and any issues that could result from adverse environmental conditions.
Sustainability
When it comes to cladding materials that offer sustainability and environmental friendliness, you cannot go wrong with Siberian Larch. Most architects and contractors agree that Siberian Larch offers more eco-friendliness than other cladding materials.
Conclusion
As a homeowner, if a stable, durable, long-lasting, and aesthetically pleasing cladding material that is also cost-effective is what you are looking for, and you don’t mind spending time and money maintaining your cladding, then Siberian Larch cladding is a solid choice. The excellent properties of this specie of timber make it an ideal cladding material.