Hot trend: Timber cladding is having a moment

Given the popularity of Modernist-inspired architecture, we’re so used to seeing sharp edges and hostile materials in home design – concrete, steel and myriad other industrial finishes. And I believe that it’s for this reason that timber cladding, with its softening effect, has been steadily gaining momentum as a trend. “Timber cladding can suit a traditional or contemporary home design, complementing other exposed building materials such as concrete and brick,” says Boral Timber national sales and distribution manager Leon Travis

“The adaptability of timber cladding can make it a material of choice across anything from interior and exterior walls and fences to sheds and garages. It may be installed vertically or horizontally to add character to a property. Words like ‘shiplap’ have become buzzwords among renovators both locally and internationally. Shiplap is simply the name of a timber cladding profile that’s proving popular as a feature timber,” says Leon.

“Boral hardwood timber cladding showcases the beauty of popular Australian timbers, including blackbutt and spotted gum, and is an economical finish for both new and old buildings,” says Leon.

Aside from bringing warmth, and a striking aesthetic, to the exterior of a home, timber cladding is also highly adaptable to Australia’s harsh weather conditions and carries energy efficiency benefits too. Timber has air pockets that create a natural barrier to heat and cold, thus forming an insulation layer around a home, and can even help reduce energy bills too.

And for those worried about termites, some timber species are better than others. “Forming a unique feature of many architecturally designed commercial and residential buildings, blackbutt cladding in particular is often chosen due to the species’ naturally termite resistant properties and fire resistance. Its attractive colouring also creates a blank canvas for achieving a custom stained finish,” says Leon.

Photography: Serena Pearce/Code Lime Photography

For more | Three affordable ways to transform your home with timber