High-Quality Timbers for Beautiful, Long-lasting Garden Shed Cladding

Western Red Cedar

Strong, durable, dimensionally stable, rot-resistant, and naturally beautiful. That’s what you want to look for when choosing timbers for cladding and Western Red Cedar ticks all the boxes. It’s often held as a premier choice for exterior cladding for its impressive durability and longevity. 

Western Red Cedar, like other cedars, remains dimensionally stable even when exposed to harsh elements. Meaning, it does not shrink or swell readily which is an ideal property for garden shed projects. Western Red Cedar also has natural oils that keep it rot and insect-resistant. These natural oils deter insects including cloth-eating moths, carpet beetles, cockroaches, and ants. 

If there is an elite group of timbers, Western Red Cedar would be at the top for its natural beauty. It comes in a variety of colors from yellow to brown or even pink. It also holds stains and paints really well so the possibilities are endless when it comes to color. Workability-wise, Western Red Cedar will not disappoint. It’s lightweight and easy to work with. It machines, screws, and nails easily with great results. 

Western Red Cedar is naturally rot-resistant so it usually comes untreated. But some UV protection would be nice too to keep its original color. 

European Oak 

European Oak or English Oak (Quercus robur) can easily rival cedars in terms of quality. It is one of the most sought-after species of hardwood on the planet. When it comes to texture, color consistency, color variation, and grain, European Oak is first-class. This wood is fabricated for flooring, ceilings, walls, stair parts, and millwork items in modern interior design and architecture.

It comes in a yellow-brown color and is naturally beautiful by itself. It holds stains and takes finishes really well so you can make it as attractive as you can. Its smooth texture, consistent color, and straight tight grain throughout the board make a premium choice for interior and exterior projects including shed cladding. 

European Oak is also naturally rot-resistant. So as cladding timber, you can’t go wrong with European Oak. Since it’s hardwood, nailing and screwing can be difficult so pre-drilling is advised. Also, use stainless steel nails or screws when working with European Oak as they react with iron. Overall, European Oak is an excellent timber for beautiful, long-lasting shed cladding. 

Siberian Larch

Just like cedar, Siberian Larch is also a softwood. However, this timber has high resin composition which makes the wood extremely dense. Meaning, the wood is incredibly strong. In fact, it is denser than Western Red Cedar and rises above other commercial hardwoods in terms of hardness. Because of this, it is highly resistant to knocks, bumps, and scratches, making it ideal for exterior cladding. 

Siberian Larch is also rot, insect, and moisture resistant. It is high in resin, natural extractives, and other chemicals that deter insects and lessen moisture penetration. So swelling and warping shouldn’t be a problem. 

While it boasts of its strength and durability, Siberian Larch can compete toe-to-toe with other premium choices for cladding in terms of attractiveness. It has a creamy yellow to light brown appearance and naturally develops a beautiful silver patina without treatment. The grain in Siberian Larch is very straight, dense, and fine with tight growth rings and the texture is smooth all over the board. 

In terms of workability, Siberian Larch isn’t difficult to work with. It holds stains and takes finishes really well. It also has fantastic drilling, machining, and gluing properties. Even with the high density, Siberian Larch is easy to work with. However, it is advised to drill holes instead of nailing to avoid splitting. 

Siberian Larch can last up to fifty years or even more with the right maintenance. Overall, Siberian Larch is a very fine choice for shed cladding. Between Siberian Larch and Western Red Cedar, the choice always depends on your preference and budget. 

Thermowood

If you want a great-looking and high-performing shed cladding at a cheaper price, Thermowood would be the right choice. Providing you with a beautiful dark tone throughout the board, Thermowood is a decent shed cladding option. 

Thermowood is heat-treated to make it resistant to water, insects, and decay. Although not as durable as the other options, Thermowood remains stable and prevents shrinkage, warping, and swelling over a long period of time.

In terms of workability, Thermood has good machining properties and takes screws and nails very well. At a lower price, Thermowood provides serious qualities for garden shed cladding. 

What About the Cladding Profile for My Garden Shed?

You now know the types of timber that are perfect for your shed cladding. Timbers for external cladding come in different profiles. Meaning, their looks and cuts are different. Choosing the best timber and cladding profile all boils down to your preference and budget. For cladding profiles, the more familiar ones are shiplap and log lap cladding. But if you want to explore your options, be sure to check our blog on The Best Cladding Profile for Your Dream Garden Shed. 

Quality Shed Cladding Timbers at Rustic Lumber 

Let’s get your garden shed project started. For your lumber needs, contact Rustic Lumber. Our friendly team of lumber experts will guide you throughout the process. If you’re nearby any of our lumberyard locations, pay us a visit and we’ll be happy to have you. Rustic Lumber is located in Kaysville, UT, St. Anthony, ID, Castle Rock, CO, and Grand Junction, CO.