Benefits of Timber Cladding

When considering exterior cladding, it is vital to weigh up the pros and cons of possible materials. Timber is a popular choice of cladding material – and for good reason. It’s easy to install, has unparalleled design flexibility, and a positive impact on the environment. Engineered wood panels – such as MEDITE TRIMAX – are innovative products that redefine timber cladding, with enhanced durability and dimensional stability, addressing the traditional downsides of using an external timber cladding system.   

Design freedom and flexibility

One of timber’s main strengths is its versatility when it comes to design. It can be sanded down, sealed and coated, oiled to enhance its rustic look, and some can even be left as they are to weather naturally. MEDITE TRIMAX is cut into Tongue & Groove or Double Shiplap profiles with the choice of installing with either a vertical or horizontal orientation, and can be purchased fully finished or primed to be coated with a custom paint. All these properties give complete creative freedom, enabling the realisation of a wide range of cladding system designs.

Easy installation

Timber cladding is incredibly durable for being so lightweight and machinable, making it very easy to install. Using an easy-to-install material reduces tool wear and increases efficiency, saving you time and money with faster handling on site. Many different types of fixings and battens work well with timber cladding, meaning you don’t need specialised tools or expensive equipment to get it installed.

Breathability

As wood is hygroscopic, it is breathable, unlike plastics and composite materials that entirely repel water. Timber will naturally absorb and release low amounts of moisture which will reduce the risk of free water materialising behind cladding, reducing the chance of mould. This protects the wall system behind the cladding and increases long-term durability. A ventilated system should be utilised to make sure the timber is performing as expected and will last its service life. MEDITE TRIMAX eliminates the typical drawbacks that come with using a timber cladding system, such as warping, rot, and deterioration due to its exceptional dimensional stability and durability, ensuring its appearance and quality will stand the test of time.

Aesthetic value

The look of timber cladding is very desirable, offering visual warmth and a natural finish to the face of a structure. Timber has a visual timelessness that is impossible to artificially replicate and adds a unique touch to a building’s façade. That being said, its versatility as a material lends itself nicely to customisation and modification. This could be in the form of oils, to maintain timber’s natural appearance, or coatings that enhance its durability. Timber typically needs frequent maintenance to make sure the underlying substrate is adequately protected. Substrates with a higher dimensional stability, such as MEDITE TRIMAX, require less maintenance for their coatings, as a lack of movement will keep the layer bonded to the panel.

Environmental friendliness

As wood is a natural resource, it can be reused and recycled at the product’s end of life. Finding wood harvested from sustainable sources is commonplace in the current day and age and guarantees responsible forest management. Controlled sources ensure that the wood harvested is renewed, significantly reducing the environmental impact of using timber. MEDITE TRIMAX sources wood from sustainably managed forests, as environmentally conscious practices should be held as a priority when manufacturing renewable resources.

Wooden products are extremely efficient carbon stores, absorbing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and locking it up to prevent CO2 from being released into the air. MEDITE TRIMAX is manufactured using fast growing softwood trees that lock up carbon quickly and act as a carbon store for the life of the building. Its longevity as a material means the carbon is locked up for even longer than it would be with traditional softwood cladding.

MEDITE TRICOYA EXTREME, the substrate used to make MEDITE TRIMAX, is manufactured using a non-toxic process called acetylation. These panels can be reused and recycled at the product’s end of life, with no concerns about the environmental impact.

MEDITE TRIMAX encapsulates all the best parts of using a timber cladding system, with enhanced durability, fantastic dimensional stability and a 50-year guarantee on the base panel, ensuring peace of mind its appearance will be maintained for years down the line.