Civil Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Different types of cladding
Exterior horizontal panelling
This is best used in exposed coastal
areas. Driving rain runs off more easi-
ly and has more difficulty getting
behind the panelling. The boards
should be cut so that the stronger
heartwood is facing outwards. When
mounting the panelling the best quali-
ty boarding should be furthest down,
where the panels are exposed to
water and mud splashing from the
ground.
Exterior vertical panelling
Driving rain can penetrate vertical
cladding more easily so this type of
cladding is more suitable for inland
building. It is an advantage to have the heart side on the outside in all the panelling. It is
also a good principle to lay the boarding the same way as it has grown, because the root
end has the most heartwood.
Figure 15.21: The construction of demountable internal panelling.
Exterior diagonal panelling
This is very popular on the continent, especially in Central and Eastern Europe, because
cut-off ends of boarding and shorter pieces of board can be used. In very harsh climates,
diagonal panelling should not be used, as water does not run off as well as from other
types of panelling.
Interior panelling
The strength of timber is not so critical for internal use, and of the softwoods, spruce is
most economical. Quickly-grown timber serves the purpose, as do certain hardwoods.
Birch is resilient. Aspen has a comfortable surface and a relatively good insulation value,
and is often used in saunas. Because of its lasting light colour, it is also attractive as a
ceiling. Other timbers appropriate for interior panelling are oak, ash, elm, lime and alder.
Alder is particularly good for bathrooms, because it tolerates changes between very damp
and very dry conditions. To reduce dust accumulating on the walls, it is better to have ver-
tical boarding.
Interior panelling can best be re-used if it can be removed without damage, and should
be fixed so that it is easily removable.
Shakes and shingles
Shake-clad walls have been and still are popular on the continent. Shingle cladding has
been so popular in the USA that it dominated the building market, even in towns, around
the turn of the century. The method for mounting on walls is the same as for roofing. The
problem of water gathering is eliminated, and the life span is therefore much longer than
the equivalent roof covering.
