Overview
Hardwood cladding forms the weather envelope of a building, so it has to look right and perform for decades. Australian hardwoods suit the job because they are dense, durable and dimensionally stable once seasoned, and because several of them carry a bushfire rating that most cladding materials cannot match. We machine ours in Brisbane from sustainably sourced Spotted Gum, Coastal Blackbutt and Ironbark.
Spotted Gum and Coastal Blackbutt are both listed as bushfire resisting timbers under AS 3959, which means they can be used as external cladding in bushfire prone areas up to BAL-29 without additional protection. That is a genuine advantage over most timber species and over a lot of non-timber cladding.
Streamline your installation process and reduce on site waste with our range of external hardwood cladding available in a variety of profiles: Shiplap, Vee Joint, Decor, Eased Edge, and Rusticated .
For a unique finish that will stand up to the harsh Australian weather conditions, Australia’s Durability-Class-1 hardwoods not only make an aesthetic statement, but are also highly functional and hard-wearing, particularly when treated with our high-quality timber coatings.
View our stock via the Species Guide
Our handy species guide will help you find the right high-quality timber for your project.
Hardwood Cladding Profiles
Shiplap Series
Achieve a high-end professional look with our Spotted Gum cladding. Available with a dressed or fresh sawn face, our shiplap cladding will provide a modern look for any new build or renovation.
Available in 3 channel widths, our profile can be fixed vertically, horizontally or diagonally to achieve a range of different finishes to make a statement in any project.
Vee Joint Series
A uniquely traditional profile, Vee joint cladding has been widely used over time in the new build and renovation market.
Our Concealed tongue and groove design allow for easy installation and a high end smooth application, that adds a touch of history and class to any new renovation or new build.
Decor Series
Timbeck’s Decor series, much more than just another cladding option. The concept of alternating the narrow face and groove width is the basic makeup of our Decor Range. The profile provides the look of a solid screening option whilst ensuring easy installation with our extended tongue and groove design, suitable for face or concealed fixings.
Available in a range of different widths and thicknesses for any given application, Decor cladding provides superior insulation, acoustic properties and privacy whilst achieving the highly sought after timber screening look.
Eased Edge Series
Timbeck has expanded on its standard range of external claddings and developed our Eased Edge Series.
Similar to a standard hardwood shiplap profile, our eased edge cladding has subtle differences. A slight arris to the edges of the cladding channel creates a softer look in the wall, but also provides a unique and appealing shadow line.
Available in 3 channel widths, this profile is sure to be a feature in any project.
Rusticated Series
A timeless classic, and often seen in many post war colonial Homes. Timbeck’s Rusticated profile is sure to add a touch of history and class to any new build, or re-invigorate a renovation project.
Available machine dressed or with a fresh sawn face, our cladding profiles can arrive on-site with a seal coat of penetrating oil to the entire board. This will ensure the product is protected from the elements, whilst allowing the natural beauty of Australia’s east coast Hardwoods to shine through.
Species and Bushfire Ratings
Not every hardwood suits external cladding, and in a bushfire prone area the species you pick can decide whether the cladding is permitted at all. AS 3959 lists seven timbers as bushfire resisting. Two of them, Spotted Gum and Blackbutt, are the species we machine most of our cladding from.
Bushfire Attack Level, or BAL, runs from BAL-LOW through BAL-12.5, 19, 29, 40 and Flame Zone. Cladding made from a bushfire resisting timber can generally be used up to BAL-29 without additional protection. Above that, the requirements tighten and cladding is usually not the deciding factor on its own. Check your BAL assessment and send it through with your enquiry and we can tell you what will comply.
Durability class is a separate measure from bushfire rating and describes how long the timber lasts exposed to weather and decay. Our cladding species sit in the upper durability classes, which is why they perform as an external envelope without chemical treatment.
Installing Hardwood Cladding
Most cladding problems we get called about are detailing problems rather than product problems. The points below cover the details that matter most on an external hardwood facade.
Ground clearance and water shedding
Cladding should finish at least 150 mm above the finished ground or paving level so the boards are not wicking moisture out of the ground, and the surface should fall away from the building. Undercut the bottom edge of the lowest board at about 15 degrees so water is forced to drip clear rather than track back along the underside and into the wall.
Sarking and flashings
Sarking sits directly behind the cladding and sends any water that gets past the boards back to the outside. It also stops draughts, wind driven rain and dust entering the wall cavity. It has to be weatherproof and vapour permeable, both at once. Flash the corners, doors, windows and wall intersections properly, because in a storm those junctions need to hold a head of water. Where the temperature difference between inside and outside is large, condensation needs its own detailing and cavity insulation or a dedicated vapour barrier may be required.
Overlaps and board width
Seasoned boards move very little once installed, so the overlap can be modest. A seasoned board under 150 mm wide needs a minimum 13 mm rebate or overlap. Over 150 mm wide, that increases to 20 mm. Unseasoned boards shrink considerably and need a minimum 30 mm overlap. Our cladding is supplied seasoned.
Fixing
Nail size depends on board thickness and on what you are fixing into. The table below sets out the minimums. Pre-drill every board end to stop it splitting, use flat head nails so they do not pull through, and keep nails well away from board edges and away from the tongue and groove or rebated overlap. Hot dip galvanised is generally adequate, though exposed coastal sites are worth a conversation before you order.
Installation practice
- Fix grooved boards with the groove facing downwards.
- Avoid mastic and similar sealants.
- Keep butt joints to a minimum, since every joint is a way in for moisture.
- Use single or long lengths on walls that take the prevailing weather, and save short lengths for between windows or for sheltered areas under eaves and verandas.
- Cut board lengths slightly long and snap the bowed board into place to close the joint up.
- Seal board ends before installation, with paint or an oil based stain.
Building code and fire
The National Construction Code sets the fire construction type for a building based on its class and how many storeys it rises. Type A and Type B construction require non-combustible external walls, which rules timber cladding out. Type C construction and below allows it, which covers a large share of residential and low rise commercial work. If you are not sure which type applies, your building surveyor will confirm it.
Board Grades and Finishes
Australian hardwood cladding is graded on appearance. Select grade carries few knots and gum veins. Medium feature grade carries more natural character. High feature grade carries the most. Grading is set out in AS 2796.2. Medium feature is supplied unless a job specifies otherwise, so if your specification calls for select, state it at order.
Our cladding is supplied seasoned, at a moisture content in the range that keeps movement to a minimum once the boards are fixed. Keep the boards dry on site and let them acclimatise before installation. Unseasoned boards carry much higher moisture, shrink noticeably in service, and need the larger overlaps covered above.
Boards can be supplied machine dressed for a crisp modern facade, or with a fresh sawn face where a more textured, rustic look is wanted. Both are available across the profile range.
We sand and coat in house at our Rosewood plant. Cladding can be supplied raw, or with a seal coat of penetrating oil applied to the entire board before it leaves us, including the back and the ends. Coating every face before installation protects the board from the moment it goes up, rather than only from whichever coat gets applied on site. Our colourWOOD range covers both natural finishes and solid colours.
Hardwood Cladding FAQs
Ready to order for your next project?
Our experienced team can help find the most cost-effective and suitable option for your next project. We can determine which grade, length and section size is best to suit your needs.