Welcome to Timber Pro, your trusted independent timber merchant based just outside North Scarle Village, perfectly placed between Lincoln and Newark. At Timber Pro, we specialise in top-quality timber and building materials, proudly offering expert advice, competitive prices, and speedy nationwide delivery. Whether you’re planning a complete exterior makeover or just want to add natural beauty to your home, we’re here to help bring your vision to life.
Today’s blog explores a subject close to our hearts, timber cladding, and how it can transform your home’s exterior. From enhancing kerb appeal to improving energy efficiency, timber cladding offers an array of aesthetic and functional benefits. If you’re considering timber for your next renovation or self-build project, this in-depth guide will give you the insights you need to make the right choice.
We’ll cover what timber cladding is, 10 impactful ways it can enhance your home’s exterior, factors to consider before starting your project, and how Timber Pro can supply the perfect products to meet your needs. Contact us today for more information!
What is timber cladding?
Timber cladding is an exterior finish for buildings, created by fixing horizontal, vertical, or diagonal boards to the outside of a property. It’s both a design feature and a protective barrier, serving aesthetic, structural, and environmental purposes.
Commonly made from softwoods such as cedar, larch, or treated pine, or from durable hardwoods, timber cladding offers a natural, warm appearance that can blend with rustic, traditional, or contemporary architectural styles. It acts as a secondary skin to the structure, protecting it from the elements, improving insulation, and enhancing the overall appearance.
There are many profiles available, including shiplap, tongue & groove, loglap, and feather edge, each offering unique textures and finishes. With treatments and stains, timber cladding can maintain its beauty for decades while also boosting a property’s value and energy performance.
10 Ways Timber Cladding Enhances Your Home’s Exterior
Whether you’re building from scratch or upgrading an existing home, timber cladding provides a beautiful and functional way to elevate your property’s exterior. Here are 10 powerful reasons why it’s such a popular choice for homeowners, architects, and builders alike.
- Boosts Kerb Appeal Instantly
Timber cladding instantly upgrades your home’s visual appeal. Its natural textures and warm tones bring a timeless charm to any property. Whether you choose a rustic barn-style board or a sleek, modern profile, timber adds character and creates a lasting impression. The natural aesthetic makes your property stand out in the street and can blend beautifully with both urban and rural surroundings. With the right finish and colour choice, timber cladding can truly complement your garden, landscape, or surrounding architecture.
- Versatility in Design
Available in numerous styles, from shiplap and tongue & groove to loglap and feather edge, timber cladding suits almost every architectural design. Whether you want a traditional countryside cottage look or a minimalist contemporary finish, there’s a timber cladding option that fits perfectly. Its ability to be installed vertically, horizontally, or diagonally allows for endless creativity in design. Plus, the variety of timber species means you can tailor texture and colour to match your home’s unique style.
- Environmentally Friendly Choice
Timber is a renewable, sustainable building material—especially when sourced from well-managed forests. Using wood for your cladding helps reduce your home’s carbon footprint, especially when compared to PVC or metal alternatives. What’s more, timber stores carbon during its lifecycle, further lowering environmental impact. Opting for FSC-certified or PEFC-certified timber ensures you’re supporting responsible forestry and ecological preservation.
- Natural Insulation Benefits
One of timber’s most overlooked benefits is its insulating properties. Timber cladding helps reduce heat loss, keeping your home warmer in winter and cooler in summer, thereby contributing to energy efficiency and lower utility bills. It helps minimise cold bridging and creates a buffer layer against temperature extremes. Over time, this can significantly reduce your reliance on artificial heating and cooling systems.
- Long-Lasting with Minimal Maintenance
With proper treatment and occasional care, timber cladding can last for decades. Options like pressure-treated softwood or naturally durable hardwoods require minimal upkeep while retaining their strength and appearance over time. Regular maintenance involves simple tasks like cleaning with mild soap and water, and occasional re-oiling or staining, depending on your finish. Many homeowners find that natural weathering adds charm, reducing the need for frequent touch-ups.
- Excellent Weather Protection
Timber cladding serves as a weather shield, protecting your home from wind, rain, and UV rays. Its structure encourages water to run off rather than soak in, reducing the likelihood of water ingress and structural damage. When installed correctly, it also helps prevent damp and condensation build-up within walls. In areas exposed to high rainfall or intense sun, treated timber maintains performance while withstanding the harshest conditions.
- Enhances Property Value
Homes with timber cladding often have increased resale value. Buyers are drawn to its natural beauty and the modern aesthetic it offers. It suggests a well-maintained property and adds a premium feel that buyers are willing to pay more for. As well as creating visual interest, timber cladding suggests thoughtful upgrades and long-term investment. Estate agents often cite high-quality cladding as a strong selling point in competitive markets.
- Acoustic Benefits
Timber absorbs sound naturally, making it a great option if you live in a noisy area. Cladding can help buffer exterior noise, providing a more peaceful and private indoor environment. It’s particularly useful for homes near roads, schools, or busy town centres. Whether for home offices or bedrooms, sound insulation makes indoor spaces more comfortable and calming.
- Customisable Finishes
Timber cladding can be painted, stained, or left to weather naturally into a silver-grey patina. This level of customisation allows you to change the look of your home easily, making it a dynamic choice for evolving tastes and trends. Different finishes can highlight the wood grain or introduce bold contemporary colours. You can even mix board types or finishes for contrast, creating a truly bespoke exterior.
- Suitable for Extensions and Outbuildings
Timber cladding isn’t just for your main house. It’s also a perfect solution for garages, garden rooms, sheds, and home offices. It creates a cohesive look across your property and can tie new extensions in with existing buildings. Using timber cladding across multiple structures brings harmony to your outdoor space and adds architectural flow. It’s especially useful in modern garden design, where continuity of materials creates visual balance.
From beauty to performance, timber cladding offers comprehensive value. It’s not just a design feature, it’s a smart investment for the longevity, efficiency, and appearance of your home.
Things To Consider For Your Timber Cladding
Before committing to a timber cladding project, there are several important factors to bear in mind. Planning ahead ensures a successful, lasting result that looks fantastic and performs well in the long term.
- Timber Type and Durability
Choose timber species based on climate and exposure. Hardwoods like oak or cedar offer natural resistance to decay, while softwoods like pine can be pressure-treated to increase longevity.
- Board Profile Selection
Pick a cladding profile that matches your style and the function of the space. Shiplap boards offer a clean look and good water runoff, while loglap provides a rustic log cabin feel. Feather edge boards add depth and are great for traditional looks.
- Orientation of Boards
Decide whether to fit your boards vertically, horizontally, or diagonally. Horizontal boards typically offer more traditional aesthetics, while vertical cladding gives a modern, Scandinavian touch.
- Treatment and Finishing
Determine whether your timber should be pre-treated or finished on-site. Pressure treatments prevent decay, while oils, stains, and paints enhance aesthetics and provide additional protection.
- Fixings and Installation
Use stainless steel nails or screws to avoid rust stains. Proper installation—including ventilation gaps and water barriers—ensures timber cladding performs effectively and avoids warping or rot.
- Planning Permission
While most timber cladding installations won’t require planning permission, it’s wise to check with your local authority, especially for listed buildings or homes in conservation areas.
- Maintenance Routine
Set realistic expectations for maintenance. Annual cleaning and occasional re-treatment will help your cladding look its best and perform well long-term.
- Budget and Cost Planning
Timber cladding varies in price depending on species and treatment. Account not just for material cost, but also labour, fixings, treatments, and finishes in your project budget.
Proper planning makes all the difference. By choosing the right materials, treatments, and installation methods, you’ll ensure your timber cladding enhances your home beautifully for years to come. Get in touch with Timber Pro today to see how we can help!
Timber Cladding with Timber Pro
At Timber Pro, we pride ourselves on supplying a broad range of high-quality cladding solutions suited to every style and budget. Our extensive timber cladding selection includes:
- Black Barn Feather Edge / Weather Board: Perfect for a rustic or agricultural look with a dramatic, modern twist.
- White Barn Feather Edge / Weather Board: Brings a light, clean aesthetic ideal for coastal or cottage settings.
- Loglap Board: Ideal for outbuildings, cabins, and homes that aim for a natural, log-built appearance.
- Shiplap Board: Great for modern and traditional homes alike, offering smooth lines and water-shedding capability.
- Tongue & Groove V Board: A premium option for a sleek, seamless finish with excellent interlocking structure.
All our products are sourced with care, and we’re happy to help calculate quantities, recommend treatments, and provide advice tailored to your specific project. Whether you’re cladding an extension, a garden room, or an entire home, Timber Pro is your reliable partner for quality timber and expert support.
In Conclusion: Wrap Your Home in Natural Warmth
Timber cladding is more than a design choice, it’s a lifestyle upgrade. It enhances the beauty, functionality, and efficiency of your home while offering unmatched aesthetic appeal. With its natural charm, eco-friendly credentials, and long-lasting performance, timber cladding is a smart and stylish way to elevate your home’s exterior.
At Timber Pro, we make it easy. With a wide range of cladding profiles and expert support, we’re here to help make your dream project a reality. Get in touch with Timber Pro today to see how we can help!
FAQs
- What is the best timber for cladding a house?
Western red cedar, Siberian larch, and pressure-treated softwoods are excellent options due to their durability and appearance.
- How long does cladding last?
With proper care, cladding can last 30–60 years, depending on the species and treatment.
- Does cladding need maintenance?
Yes, occasional cleaning and re-treatment (every few years) are recommended for optimal performance.
- Can cladding be painted or stained?
Absolutely. Timber can be painted, stained, or oiled to suit your design preferences.
- Is cladding suitable for all climates?
Yes, but the choice of wood and treatment should be based on local weather conditions to ensure longevity.
- Does timber cladding improve insulation?
Yes, it provides an extra layer of natural insulation and helps reduce thermal bridging.
- Will timber cladding attract pests?
Properly treated timber is resistant to insects and fungi. Using quality products reduces this risk.
- Can I install timber cladding myself?
DIY installation is possible with the right tools and knowledge, but professional fitting ensures better results.
- How much does timber cladding cost?
Costs vary depending on timber type, treatment, and profile. Timber Pro offers options to suit a range of budgets.
- Do you deliver timber cladding nationwide?
Yes! Timber Pro proudly delivers nationwide with fast turnaround and competitive rates.
Ready to Transform Your Home’s Exterior?
Whether you’re building new or refreshing an existing home, timber cladding is the perfect way to combine natural beauty with modern performance. Explore our full range of timber cladding solutions online, or give our friendly team a call today. At Timber Pro, we’re more than a timber merchant, we’re your partner in creating beautiful, functional, and enduring spaces.
