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Profiles and seasoning

Profiles

Timber cladding is generally produced from 150 - 200 mm wide boards. Wider boards are more likely to cup or split. Various profiles are available from manufacturers.

Diagram showing eight different profiles of timber cladding - sawn weatherboard, rusticated, splayed checked and chamfered, double log cabin, double teardrop, ship-lap or channel, tongue and groove (T&G) chamfer, and board and batten.

Seasoning

Timber will take up and lose moisture and expand and contract accordingly. Timber cladding is usually supplied as 'dry', 'kiln dried' or 'seasoned', with a moisture range of 10 - 15%. Exceptions include western red cedar, cypress pine and hardwood weatherboards, which may be supplied unseasoned.

Unseasoned cladding will shrink as it dries. So, allowance must be made for shrinkage by increasing the overlap of boards. Wider unseasoned boards may also develop slight cupping across the face unless they are restrained. Unseasoned hardwood boards should be fixed as soon as possible after delivery.