Virtually all architects incorporate wood into their designs in one way or another, mainly because it is a sustainable building material that is also aesthetically pleasing. Whatever the style, timber cladding always brings a touch of elegance and warmth to the exterior of a home, apartment building, office or outbuilding. In most cases, personal taste and the style of the project are the leading concerns in choosing just the right wood variety.
Which timber cladding is right for my project?
If you are not sure what type of timber cladding is best for your project, we will be happy to advise you. Each wood variety has its particular qualities, along with advantages and disadvantages for specific projects. To give you an idea of the types of cladding that are available, we have set out the main specifications and uses of the most popular wood varieties in our cladding. Naturally, your own taste is also an important consideration.
Thermally modified wood
Carpentier deliberately uses only European hardwood varieties, with a focus on thermally modified wood: HOTwood. A high-temperature thermal treatment - which does not involve chemicals - makes wood more durable, giving it better stability and resistance against moisture and wood rot. As a result, it is an outstanding choice for exterior cladding.
We offer a wide range of profiles in thermally treated wood. Thermo ash is the most environmentally responsible alternative for the tropical hardwoods Padouk and Afromorsia. Others include thermo pine, thermo clear pine and thermo bamboo, all of which are excellent sustainable alternatives for increasingly scarce tropical hardwoods.
To ensure quick and easy installation of cladding, we advise using our QuickClip® profiles. We supply these with the invisible Grad installation system, a smart system that guarantees seamless results and perfect alignment of cladding boards every time. Whether your style is traditional, rustic, classic, streamlined, modern or minimalist, we have just the right HOTwood profile. Depending on the wood variety you choose, you can also select from a range of finishing options such as brushing, charring and oiling. If required, we can also treat thermal wood to meet fire safety standards up to B-s2,d0. Feel free to consult us for advice.
Advantages of HOTwood cladding
- Durability class I/II
- 100% environmentally responsible
- Weather-resistant
- Warm colour
- Beautiful natural weathering
- Rot-resistant
- Shape-retaining and stable
- Large choice of colour finishes
- Quick and easy installation thanks to invisible system
Accoya
Accoya cladding is a relatively recent addition to our range. A less well-known variety, it is both environmentally responsible and extremely attractive, working equally well in rustic or minimalist designs. Given its perfect stability, durability and natural beauty, Accoya is a great choice for exterior cladding for outbuildings and homes. We supply Accoya cladding in ready-to-install profiles. And we are the only supplier to offer it in combination with the invisible Grad installation system. Thanks to this system, installation is quicker than ever and results are always seamless. Our Accoya cladding can be left unfinished, or you can choose from finishes ranging from transparent or opaque oil or stain to brushing or charring.
Advantages of Accoya cladding
- Durability class I
- 100% environmentally responsible
- Weather-resistant
- Beautiful natural weathering
- 100% rot-resistant
- Highly stable
- No shrinkage, swelling or distortion
- Quick and easy installation thanks to invisible system
Barnwood
For more rustic exterior, nothing beats barnwood cladding, made from wood that has been reclaimed or sourced from old barns. Carpentier offers barnwood cladding in Canadian pine, European pine and European oak. Boards can be finished entirely to your specifications using oil, stain or charring, with each finish creating a subtly different appearance.
Advantages of barnwood cladding
- Durable
- 100% environmentally friendly
- Authentically aged appearance
- Unique character
- The ultimate in circular building materials
Oak
Oak is another popular wood variety for exterior cladding, and it is much more environmentally friendly than tropical hardwoods. Its great durability makes it perfect for outdoor use. And no matter the style of a building, oak cladding is always an attractive look. Oak takes any finish well, whether you opt for brushing or a tinted oil or stain.
Carpentier offers both raw and planed oak profiles, mainly in a rustic mix quality. The knots and fine natural cracks in the wood enhance the natural rugged appeal of oak. We can accentuate this further by brushing the wood to bring out the grain even more.
Whichever oak cladding you choose, we saw and plane it in our own workshop, delivering it fully air-dried for outdoor use. Please note that oak boards may occasionally exhibit minor swelling in moist conditions or shrinkage in dry conditions.
Advantages of oak cladding
- Durability class II
- Environmentally responsible: local wood sourced from sustainably managed forests
- Weather-resistant
- Even colour
- Rich character
- Beautiful weathering
Wood and aluminium combined
Finally, we would like to turn the spotlight to our aluminium cladding. Combinations of materials are having a moment, and none more than the timeless pairing of aluminium and wood. Alongside each other, the natural warmth of wood and the elegant simplicity of aluminium create a truly modern appeal. Carpentier is the only supplier to offer aluminium cladding with an open join. What’s more, the cladding is a ready-to-install open system that ensures outstanding ventilation. As a result, our aluminium exterior cladding is even more weather-resistant, and its lifespan even longer. Our standard option for aluminium cladding is a black powder coat finish, but other RAL colours and even a wood-look finish are also available.
PEFC/FSC® certified wood
More and more often, our customers want to be sure they are buying certified environmentally responsible wood cladding. All of the wood that we use is PEFC or FSC® certified, which guarantees that it has come from sustainably managed, renewable forests. Find out more here.
Carpentier offers an extensive range of exterior cladding profiles in many environmentally responsible wood varieties. Take some inspiration from our projects, and infuse your own exterior with the natural warmth of wood!
If you have any questions or would like our advice for your specific situation, please get in touch. You can also make an appointment to visit our showroom. Our wood specialists will be happy to help!
Visit our showroom by appointment