Durable aesthetics and ease of use are the key attributes driving the market. 2016 will be an interesting year to see which products gain in popularity as the market diversifi es.
Presently western red cedar continues to dominate the market due to its appearance, small movement, ease of use and price. With naturally durable heartwood (Class 2 for Canadian material), it can achieve a 30-year desired service life specifi cation without preservative treatment. But pressuretreated softwood is also popular and is the most economic option, with larch in third position according to TDCA data.
TDCA members represent the quality end of the market and only quality conscious companies are accepted into membership. Members are to be commended as they are contributing to a generic resource in the interests of maintaining quality in the market place. TDCA is keen to enlist more members so that we can do more to ensure cladding is specifi ed and installed correctly.
There has been a lot of activity among our members recently.
Silva Timber recently unveiled its showroom in Widnes which showcases its cladding and decking products. It’s a beautifully executed, timber art gallery that is proving a huge hit with customers. "Our showroom houses examples of all our cladding including the various fi nishes available," said Nick Taylor, managing director of Silva.
"The importance of protecting the surface from moisture and UV is often overlooked or misunderstood with species like Western red cedar. If a weathered look is required, there are low/easy maintenance fi nishes that allow the wood to weather to a consistent grey rather than leaving it to the elements."
Hoppings Softwood Products has focused on making its Q-Clad range of painted featheredge cladding readily available to the trade and self-build markets via merchants which has contributed to its success. The company is also about to unveil an exciting new range of colour washed cladding and decking products under its new Q-Shades brand.
"The different look and high performance features of Q-Shades products will provide both merchants and contractors a point of difference and allow them to make profitable returns," said Adam Pulfer, Hoppings’ marketing director.
In the niche category, is modified wood. Accsys Technologies reports a healthy growth in Accoya cladding sales through distributor James Lathams, also a TDCA member.
Architects appreciate the performance and aesthetics of Accoya together with the other advantages it brings; extremely durable, dimensionally stable, environmentally friendly, enhanced coating performance and longer warranties. The high performance of Accoya timber cladding comes at a price that means that it will continue to be a niche rather than mainstream product.
To meet growing demand, James Latham has a new comprehensive cladding brochure not only to showcase cedar, larch etc but also to strengthen the message about Accoya and SAM TRIMAX (Tricoya). Wood plastic composites are also beginning to penetrate the sector and having had good success with UPM ProFi Decking products, Lathams will be marketing UPM ProFi Facade in 2016.
Howarth Timber has continued to expand its thermally modified cladding range which now includes a competitively priced clear pine product. Thermally modified products are chosen for their visual characteristics and ease of use.
The process modifies the whole cross section of the timber allowing you to cross cut without the need for end grain preservative. Also, due to the consistently low moisture contents, the surface oxidises and then weathers more evenly and cleanly to silver grey.
At the Timber Expo show last autumn, cladding was one of the most talked about products on the Timbmet stand. Whilst the full range of timber and panel products was showcased, it was cladding that drew the most attention. Timbmet’s latest innovation is a factory-coated cladding available in any RAL colour be it natural, vibrant or pastel. Timbmet also manufactures bespoke profiles and can match to existing cladding.
Fixings manufacturer Tite-Fix has experienced an increasing number of cladding fixing enquiries. Tite-fix offers a full range of claddings including two Stuttgart Fastener Fair prize-winning products; Tongue-Tite Plus and Clad-Tite. Best-seller Tongue-Tite Plus is a lost head, stainless steel screw which can be driven straight into the face of the cladding or into the tongue to provide a secret fix. No pilot hole is necessary.
Clad-Tite, a stainless steel nail with a ‘D’ type head, has an umbrella thread that allows it to be driven out. These are collated and fired in with a gas-powered nailer. Also suitable for cladding is Deck-Tite Composite Plus designed specifically for wood plastic composite products with colour coded heads and Deck-Tite Plus, a stainless screw which when used on cladding, is driven through the face.
Finally, on the subject of Standards, BS EN 8605 Part 1 was published at the end of 2014 and is an extremely usefully guide for the manufacturer and specifier alike. It covers everything that is under the control of the manufacturer to the point that the cladding leaves the factory. Part 2, which is still in preparation, ensues and will therefore include information on how to install.