Expanding merchant Robert Duncan (Timber) Ltd has supplied £100,000 worth of western red cedar cladding for a £5m four-storey office development in Tyne and Wear.
The Felling-based company, which is extending its manufacturing facilities, says timber cladding is being increasingly specified by architects instead of steel and concrete.
Wood cladding was chosen for the Quadrus office development at Boldon to harmonise with the rustic look of the business park, which features a fishing lake and wetlands with nesting swans.
Western red cedar from North America was used for its durability. The material’s reddish hue will blend down to a silvery grey within about 18 months.
The Quadrus building, which houses 45 offices, is a joint venture by South Tyneside Council and Tyneside Economic Development Company.
Robert Duncan, the merchant’s chairman, said: “We have certainly noticed an increase on the cladding side of the business. There is a move away from steel and concrete buildings to using timber cladding.”
The company is investing about £275,000 improving its Felling manufacturing facilities.
Mechanical handling equipment has already been added to two moulders, improving moulding output by 10-15%, while Robert Duncan also hopes to secure an additional building to house priming machinery and new handling equipment.
Other recent high-profile projects completed by the company include the supply of Douglas fir, balau and oak for a £3.3m treehouse at The Alnwick Garden in Northumberland, plus a £75,000 order for maple interiors and cedar decking at Sage Group plc’s new global headquarters in Newcastle.
