Special Wooden wall cladding versus composite

GOOD, BETTER, AND BEST HARDLY EXIST ANYMORE

PERSONAL TASTE PREFERENCE DETERMINES THE FINAL CHOICE

Photo – La San Marco Profili

Do you choose wood or composite for wall cladding? This article deals with that question. As you will notice, both materials have their specific benefits and drawbacks so that in fact only the client can really answer the question. What are his or her most important requirements for the end result? You can then make a choice on the basis of a personal checklist.

Why composite?

We start with composite. Composite wall cladding has progressed vastly in recent years, so wall cladding in 2021 is totally different to that of ten years ago. For instance, nowadays, the composition is often of much better quality and therefore more durable. Moreover, makers now launch planks on the market as credible imitations of real wood and virtually identical. The natural look arises partly from moulding planks where makers apply tiny and subtle shades normally found only in real wood.

Composition

With composite wall cladding you mustn’t put all products on the same footing. Most of them comprise a mixture of wood fibres and synthetics, but some others comprise purely synthetics. With

composite wall cladding, you can say that it consists for 95% of wood chips and wood fibres and that those materials have been melted down together with binding agents. Recycled synthetics and wood and wood fibres are often also used as a by-product to reduce the environmental impact.

Both have comparable qualities; apart from a lifelike appearance, they both have a long lifespan and are easy to maintain. Moreover, most of the material is also given another special finish so that it can withstand even the most severe weather conditions. Another benefit: Composite wall cladding is extremely light and flexible with a choice of both a hollow and a full variant.

There is one more benefit not to be ignored: Composite planks are accompanied as almost standard by an adjusted easy fitting. And so, for instance, you can mount them on a frame which is designed in synthetics or aluminium. Moreover, if you have completely synthetic planks, there is no need for ventilation behind the plank and they can be fastened directly onto a sandwich panel.

And so, aren’t there any drawbacks? Obviously, yes, there are. For instance, you have to fit a composite in the length, in contrast to synthetic wall cladding panels, for instance, which can be mounted horizontally, vertically, and diagonally. Composite also has certain properties in common with wood. In particular, it swells in the heat, so you have to take account of that with the fitting. Composite also absorbs moisture and, like wood, it can warp. If you opt for a hollow variant of the composite, there is a risk of it breaking more quickly because the materials isn’t as strong.

The choice for wood

As the exterior shell of a building, wall cladding is not only representative, but it also protects the sub-frame from the elements. You can use a composite material for that, but then you detract from the most natural of all raw materials, namely wood. Indeed, wood is versatile, natural, and circular, and certainly the latter property speaks indisputably in favour of wood.

If you look at wall cladding, you see that it comprises profiled wooden sections which are usually linked, although an open variant of unlinked sections is also possible. The sections come in all sorts of shapes and sizes and are usually fitted horizontally or vertically. The main questions are which wood sorts are best for the fitting and what is the best way to do this. For instance, do you leave the wood untreated or, by contrast, do you finish it semi-transparently or even opaque? There’s a wide choice.

Choice of the wood sort

The youngest child knows that one sort of wood is different from another one. But how do you make the best choice? We can give you a number of criteria.

It’s important to choose a wood sort which is highly resistant to all potential agents or ‘beasts’ which could affect the wood. In other words, the wood needs to be naturally durable or suitable for durability treatment. And so, for wall cladding it’s best to opt for wood in a high durability class.

With wall cladding, the shape stability of the wood is also absolutely essential. Choose a stable sort so that fluctuations in the wood moisture content don’t lead to excess distortions. Other decisive factors for the choice are as follows (the order is entirely random): the look of the wood, finishability, availability, available sizes, sustainable origin, and the price.

High durability classes

Remember in particular that if the cladding is going to be fully exposed to the elements, you should opt for durability classes 1 or 2, whether we are talking about solid hard wood, treated, or modified wood.

Durability class 3 is possible, but you are advised to use it only for part of the finish. Many wood sorts do not belong naturally in a high durability class, but nowadays it is easy to treat wood to make it more durable. You can certainly use sorts such as pine, larch, douglas, or western red cedar once they are made more durable.

Finally, some more words of wisdom: Not all sorts of wood can be combined equally easily with corrosive materials such as lead, iron, and in some cases even aluminium. Moreover, strong colouring agents can also stain other building materials, such as stucco or tiles. Remember that wood substances are water soluble, they can be washed out frequently, and they are not harmful to health.

Make a sustainable choice

Finally, before we forget: By using wood, you certainly show a real love of the trade, but that doesn’t mean you use just any material. Be sure to opt for a product which meets the requirements of sustainable forest management. An FSC or PEFC trademark is more than just a nice logo on paper.

Main sources: www.houtinfo.nl and www.kunststofbouwmateriaal.nl (both sites in Dutch only).

What’s on the market ?

Denderwood

What’s your favorite wall cladding? Wood Plastic Composite or tropical hardwood?

It can no longer be denied that Wood Plastic Composite is gaining enormously in popularity. And while it may seem a bit contradictory, this is especially because of the impact on the environment. After all, composite is composed of recycled wood waste and lasts for years.

Moreover, it also requires little or no maintenance. A little water and a soft brush are in most of the cases sufficient. A cladding made of tropical hardwood has a warm and natural appearance and is available in various profiles. If you wish to take care of the environment, ask especially for FSC certified wood. Wood can be found in multiple widths and lengths, while composite is more likely to stick to the standard dimensions. There are also more options with wood in terms of appearance. You can therefore say that recycled composite scores well from an ecological point of view, but with certified tropical hardwood, you have an equivalent and maintenance-friendly alternative.

Eurotec

Composite or wood cladding – what will it be for you?

©NATURinFORM

©NATURinFORM

House cladding is a very popular topic for homeowners and leaves many spoilt for choice. As a rule, the options for cladding are composite cladding and wood cladding. If you want to enjoy your exterior cladding for a long time, you need to weigh the advantages and disadvantages of the materials to decide which one is the right choice. Compared to composite cladding, on the one hand wood cladding has a high maintenance and is less resistant to weathering. On the other hand, you can get wood at a reasonable price and furthermore it has a unique and timeless look. Those who choose wood also contribute to using a natural, eco-friendly material. Composite cladding is made out of wood and plastic components. A composite cladding offers a durable alternative to wood. It is also lowmaintenance, weather-resistant and hard-wearing. In addition, there is a wide range of colors for composite cladding.

La San Marco Profili

Simple, practical, and attractive, wall claddings are back in demand once more. In recent years, in particular, interest in wooden wall cladding has increased a lot. The fact that wood cladding has a natural look is of course the major reason behind this trend. Moreover, wood provides good insulation and keeps the heat inside the home. Of course, when you think about wall cladding, you will need to consider that the cladding option you choose will be exposed to the elements for extended periods. Therefore, it is vitally important that you choose your cladding wisely according to your needs and aesthetical preferences. If you like the appeal of real wood cladding, but do not want to have to deal with all the maintenance concerns and issues, then it is best to seek out alternatives. Composite wall cladding is the ultimate solution as it looks just like real wood, but because of the materials used and the manufacturing process involved, this option offers long-term durability even when exposed to the elements. La San Marco offers both wood and composite wall cladding. Among woods, it has a wide range of excellent tropical hardwoods with enhanced durability and strength. The most demanded are Ipe, Teak, but also Garapa, Thermo Ash and others are much requested. Moreover, La San Marco supplies also a composite product, which is not WPC, but a new material mainly made up of pure PVC and rice husks. The result of this combination is a material with incredible mechanical properties, performance, workability and long lasting quality. The company offers different profiles for various installation’s solutions and different treatments to preserve the initial characteristics of wood, so the choice is very wide and therefore, it is strictly connected to the customer’s needs and taste.