External Cladding Melbourne

External timber cladding in Melbourne

Greenhill Timbers stocks external cladding at our yard at 170 Settlement Road, Thomastown, with pickup or delivery across Melbourne and regional Victoria: Australian hardwood boards, Weathertex hardwood weatherboards and panels, Thermory thermally modified pine and spruce, James Hardie fibre cement, and charred Shou Sugi Ban. The range covers a weatherboard cottage, a black modern box and a bushfire zone, and the same yard sells the cavity battens, trims and screws that go with it.

Australian hardwood cladding

Blackbutt is pale and straight-grained, Class 1 durable above ground, and on the AS 3959 list of bushfire-resisting timbers, accepted to BAL-29. Grey ironbark is the hardest board we sell, in 50, 70 and 120 mm widths, VJ or shadow-line profiles, with a dressed or sawn brushed face, from $6.96 a metre. Shou Sugi Ban is charred by the traditional Japanese method for a deep black finish, in 70 and 120 mm widths, in native cypress or Australian hardwood with a BAL-29 option.

Weathertex weatherboards and panels

Weathertex is made in NSW from Australian hardwood fibre with no added glues, pre-primed, and holds a CodeMark certificate for bushfire use to BAL-19. We stock the Classic 200 mm weatherboards from $31.20 a board in smooth, ruff sawn and rusticated, the Primelok and Selflok interlocking boards, Weathergroove panels in groove spacings from 75 to 1200 mm, Shingles Plus, Rubix and primed hardboard sheets, plus the joiners, trims and flashings. See the full Weathertex range.

Thermory

Thermory treats pine and spruce with heat and steam alone, which makes the boards stable, rot resistant and free of chemicals: Pine Trax C32 and C90, Spruce C26, the Drift colours and the black Ignite board, from $73.67.

James Hardie fibre cement

For a rendered look, sheet cladding or a modern weatherboard that never rots, we stock James Hardie: HardieFlex sheets from $42.63, Linea and Oblique weatherboards, Stria and Axon panels, EasyLap, RAB board and the Villaboard and Versilux linings, with the Hardie screws, sealants and wrap.

Cladding in a bushfire zone

Match the product to the BAL on your report. Blackbutt, Merbau and the BAL-29 Shou Sugi Ban option cover BAL-29; Weathertex is certified to BAL-19; fibre cement is non-combustible and suits the higher ratings. Ask us before you order if the report says BAL-40 or Flame Zone.

Fixing and finishing

Timber cladding goes over a breathable wrap and a ventilated cavity batten so the wall drains and dries. Pre-drill hardwood, keep fixings 12 mm from the ends, and use stainless steel within 1 km of the coast. Oil hardwood boards on every face before fixing, or leave them to weather to silver-grey. Everything for the job is in cladding accessories; for walls inside the house, see internal wall cladding.

Bring the elevations in, or call (03) 9465 9875, and we will take off the boards, battens and trims for you.

Questions we get asked about external cladding

What is the best timber cladding for Melbourne?

For a natural finish, Blackbutt and grey ironbark are Class 1 durable hardwoods. For a painted weatherboard, pre-primed Weathertex is the usual choice. Thermory suits a modern board that stays stable without chemicals.

Which cladding is rated for BAL-29?

Blackbutt, Merbau and the BAL-29 Shou Sugi Ban hardwood option. Weathertex holds a CodeMark certificate to BAL-19. Fibre cement is non-combustible and is used in the higher ratings as part of a tested system.

Does timber cladding need a cavity?

Yes. A ventilated cavity batten over the wall wrap lets the wall drain and dry, and it is standard practice on Melbourne walls. The battens are in cladding accessories.

How often does timber cladding need oiling?

Every one to three years depending on exposure, with north and west walls needing it most. Or leave it bare and let it weather evenly to silver-grey.