Guide: How to choose the right wood cladding?

Wood cladding is one of the most effective building materials for insulating and protecting the façades of apartment buildings and detached houses.

The durability of wood cladding depends on the intrinsic characteristics of the wood species chosen, but also on the design and location of the building (climatic factors, exposure, etc.). To choose the best wood cladding, the following factors should be taken into account:

• Adapt the wood treatment to the use class
• Choice of wood species : natural or conferred durability
• Wood treatment processes

If you are wondering which wood to choose for exterior cladding, start by finding out about the use class. The use class corresponds to the level of exposure of the wood to water and its risk of deterioration. This use class therefore varies according to the location of the piece of wood in the structure. Wood cladding belongs to use class 3.

• Use class 1 applies to wood used indoors. Species classified in category 1 are used to make furniture, parquet flooring and panelling. They have very low resistance to moisture.
• Use class 2 applies to wood used in frames or structures. These woods are therefore suitable for indoor use or use under shelter.
• Use class 3 covers wood used outdoors without contact with the ground and exposed to the elements. Use: all vertical construction or joinery components exposed to rain: cladding, windows, etc.
• Use class 4 includes wood used outdoors in contact with the ground or fresh water. These wood species are therefore widely used in humid regions and for the manufacture of duckboards, outdoor furniture, outdoor games and even water features.
• Use class 5 includes wood with excellent resistance to sea water. Wood in this class is used for the manufacture of submerged structures or for cladding in coastal areas.

Some species are not naturally durable for the intended use. They must therefore be made durable through appropriate treatment: this is referred to as conferred durability.

As a reminder, do not confuse use class with natural or conferred durability. While the use class corresponds to the level of exposure of the wood to water and its degree of risk of deterioration, natural or conferred durability is linked to the species itself !

Above, summary table of use classes by species

When a wood species is not naturally durable, treatments that are more or less chemical, natural or ecological must be applied to make it durable. There are many processes for improving the functional properties of wood and therefore its durability. Here are the main ones:

• Processes involving the addition of products such as soaking, spraying and brushing. These are chemical treatment processes. The best known is pressure impregnation treatment in an autoclave.
• High-temperature processes. These are treatments that do not involve the addition of chemicals. At Sivalbp, we offer a wide range of Ecothermo wood cladding.
• Chemical modification processes such as furfurylation (Kebony® process) or acetylation (Accoya®).

Wood is a natural, living material. When exposed to the elements and the passage of time, unfinished natural wood cladding will naturally turn grey. If you like this natural look, you can choose unfinished wood cladding. At Sivalbp, our Authentic range offers a wide selection of unfinished wood cladding.

If, on the other hand, you want to anticipate the natural greying of the wood and provide it with optimal protection against the weather and UV rays, you should choose wood cladding with a finish.

Finishes for wood cladding can be divided into two main categories:

Finishes for wood cladding: film-forming finishing products

These finishes for film-forming wood cladding (i.e. ‘forming a film’) are wood stain or paint finishes. Opaque or semi-opaque, these finishes deposit a film on the surface that covers the natural ‘feel’ of the wood. To preserve the original appearance of the finish, wood stains and paints are finishes that require regular maintenance to maintain the appearance of your façade. Discover our COLORS range: a range of paint finishes for wood cladding.

Finishes for wood cladding: non-film-forming finishing products

These are saturating or oil-based finishes for wood cladding, which penetrate deep into the wood without leaving a film on the surface, preserving the wood's appearance. UV- and weather-resistant, these finishes provide long-lasting, attractive protection for wood cladding. These finishes are easy to maintain. At Sivalbp, we specialise in wood cladding with saturators. Are you looking for wood cladding in natural colours? Or perhaps contemporary greys? Or even a burnt wood look? Discover our saturators in our Elégance, New Age and Vintage ranges.

If you now know which cladding to choose for the façade of your building, you will need to decide on the traditional installation method. Horizontal or vertical installation : both methods guarantee good insulation and protect the façade from external damage. The visual and aesthetic appearance will therefore be the deciding factor. Find our advice on installing wood cladding.

Vertical wood cladding

The arrangement of the boards will give an impression of height. This type of façade cladding tends to make the building look bigger. This type of cladding is best suited to low-rise buildings. Vertical cladding facilitates water runoff, which follows the direction and shape of the boards. It also has the advantage of giving the building's architecture a contemporary wood look. From a technical point of view, vertical cladding requires the supporting structure to be doubled up using battens.

Horizontal cladding

Also known as American-style cladding, horizontal cladding is characteristic of houses in the United States. Wooden boards laid in this way tend to make the building look more solid and imposing. The building will therefore have a more robust appearance. This installation method is preferable for buildings that are already quite tall. When used on a small building, horizontal installation tends to make the building look smaller. In addition to its aesthetic appeal, horizontal installation is the simplest method. Clapboard cladding is the most commonly used type of horizontal cladding. See our guide to installing vertical cladding.

If you have any wood cladding projects for specific buildings, please fill in our contact form. We will respond to all your questions as soon as possible.