What will define 2020? Will our departure from the EU cause an economic downturn? Will climate change finally dominate the global agenda? One thing is for sure – we are working for one of the few industries that can make a positive contribution to both the circular economy and the environment – timber. We just need to shout about it!

Managed correctly, timber is a highly sustainable and environmentally considerate material. It’s a versatile, cost-effective and beautiful building resource. These benefits have never been more important than now. We are custodians of a powerful product whose story needs telling, but to a much wider audience.

And so this will be the key message of the TDCA and many other timber trade associations throughout 2020 and beyond. We all have a real passion and appetite to work together to spread the word about wood.

In October, the TDCA announced the formation of a new working relationship with the Timber Trade Federation (TTF). Coupled with its existing partnership with the Wood Protection Association (WPA), the threeway triumvirate aims to use its collective knowledge, resource and scope to strengthen the market for timber cladding and decking.

Working together on projects of mutual interest, the trio will focus on improving specifier and buyer knowledge to raise awareness and confidence in the timber cladding and decking sectors. Our first task is to produce a comprehensive but simple guide on timber cladding, for both buyers and users.

WPA and TTF have already developed a series of excellent Guidance Notes that are freely available from their respective websites.

Such publications will be promoted and circulated through the group’s combined network of stakeholder channels and backed by a planned series of regional workshops aimed at merchants, specifiers and end users.

Resource material

On the heels of this timber revolution, two excellent publications extolling the credentials of timber have caught our eye. Both are readily available free of charge and are well worth a read.

  • Treated wood – a sustainable choice, by WEI-IOE (European Institute for Wood Preservation) and EWPM (European Wood Preservatives Manufacturers group). Its opening paragraph sets the tone: “A construction material, provided and renewable by Nature, with predictable performance, taking carbon from the atmosphere and locking it away for decades, with low energy demand and a feel good aesthetic, appreciated by almost everyone – that’s treated wood.” Download it at: http://www.wei-ieo.eu/de/treatedwood- sustainable-solution.
  • Wood – Building the Bioeconomy, by CEI-Bois, opens with a forward by Simona Bonafè – member of the European Parliament. She writes: “In particular, wood in construction provides promising perspectives in meeting the housing challenges in Europe while delivering a unique environmental performance that helps reduce the release in the atmosphere of carbon. And.. this is only one example of the potential that such natural, renewable and recyclable material offers to meet the expectations of European citizens.”

Timber and fire

The fire safety of buildings continues to be a pertinent and emotive subject. On paper, changes in building regulations (no ‘combustible’ cladding above 18m) should not have had a significant impact on timber cladding sales – the high-rise market is relatively small. However, as timber’s performance in a fire situation is commonly misunderstood and misrepresented, there was inevitable confusion and risk aversive behaviour. This attitude is something we, and other timber organisations are working to address. Further education about good design, specification and fire protection treatment is obviously needed.

Meanwhile, the government has ‘reviewed the effectiveness’ of the original ban on combustible materials after one year. This included a survey of 100 relevant industry stakeholder organisations. There is now a consultation on proposed changes to the Regulations, following that review. Notably, they are seeking opinions on whether the 18m height threshold for non-combustible materials should be reduced to 11m, a common approach in other countries. The consultation closes in April giving ample time to prepare a response.

We believe that timber remains an excellent material for manufacture and construction and, where necessary, reaction to fire properties can be upgraded with a factory applied flame retardant, but risk assessment, specification and detailing are paramount to ensuring safety, whatever the build method. The following information from the WPA explains what can be achieved by the use of a flame retardant.

“Flame retardants work by making timber more difficult to ignite and by slowing the rate at which a fire can develop (providing vital extra time for a safe escape). This improves its performance and can improve its reaction to fire rating from a typical Euroclass D rating to either Euroclass C (limited lateral spread of flame, similar to a BS476 class 1 rating) or Euroclass B (very limited lateral spread of flame).

“There are two tried and tested ways that flame retardant treatments can be used effectively on wood-based materials:

  • The surface treatment or impregnation of finished products under factory-controlled conditions that are independently quality assured
  • The incorporation of an appropriate flame retardant as an integral part of the product manufacture (for example, FR MDF, OSB or plywood).

“Using brush or spray application on-site is not recommended. This is because products used for surface treatment depend on correct application rates and/or film thicknesses being achieved. Only by application under factory-controlled conditions can this be reliably achieved.

“Fire performance can only be assured when application is through an independent certification and accreditation scheme for installers. You should always ensure this will be provided.”

Market trends

In many respects 2019 was a challenging year. But despite that, timber cladding sales held up reasonably well according to many TDCA members, with some launching new products. After a slowdown in June and a lull in October, things began to pick up again towards the year end. Indeed, cladding fastener sales indicate that 2019 fared well.

Western red cedar and larch continue to occupy top spots in terms of popularity. One of the ‘new’ products on the market was CladMark-accredited IRO Timber cladding from BSW Timber (see pp32-33). It showcases two key features; colour durability and performance. Available in 15 colours, it is produced in a seven-step manufacturing process including pressure treatment and a surface heat technique (inspired by Yakisugi).

A topical application of wood cream brings a smooth, glossy, water repellent finish to the ‘charred appearance’.

“Given the market conditions, we are very pleased with the progress we have made in the product’s first year,” said James Brennan, BSW’s marketing manager.

Also investing in product development, James Latham acquired Dresser Mouldings, creating the ability to factory coat timber cladding in house. The company offers an exclusive pairing of Accoya and Sansin factory applied coatings.

A new offering is also in the pipeline. Exclusive to James Latham comes Noawood, a stable, durable and sustainably sourced, thermally modified hardwood with a reasonable price tag. It will be machined in-house and can be supplied as is, or with a factory coating applied.

At TDCA, it is our mission to champion timber cladding, along with timber decking and associated landscaping structures, handin- hand with the best practice workmanship required to produce quality projects. We are still seeing too many instances where easily avoided, fundamental mistakes are made.

CladMark – the association’s quality accreditation scheme – exists to promote good quality, fit-for-purpose timber cladding giving the end user added reassurances about the product they are buying. Quality must never be compromised for short-term gain.

Long-term growth will come from continual education about best practice, new techniques and innovative products and the TDCA is poised to support the industry in these areas.