Cladding - Frequently Asked Questions

My oak cladding has water stains.

Water stains will disappear as the oak looses its original colour. If the stains are caused by tannic acid bleaching from the boards they can be treated with oxalic acid. See Russwood detail sheet on Oxalic Acid.

Will the Larch keep its natural colour?

No, all timber will weather to a silvery-grey colour over time, due to the effects of ultra violet light.

Can we keep the natural colour?

Yes, if you are prepared to coat and strip down on an annual basis.

What lengths can you supply in Larch?

In Sila A/B we can supply up to 6.0m. In Scottish Grown Larch 3.6m and 4.8m.

What moisture content do you recommend for external cladding in UK?

We always dry to 18% +/- 2% moisture content.

Is it durable, do we need to coat it?

All of our timbers are naturally durable to varying degrees ranging from very durable to moderately durable. The most significant factor effecting durability is correct detailing of the cladding when it is installed.

How do you avoid unsightly black stains around nails, even galvanised nails?

Ferrous metals react with the tannic acid in the timber to cause rust stains. This is avoidable by using stainless steel fixings.

Can you advise me on the best way to lay my floor?

At Russwood we are experts in wood, with years of experience. We are happy to discuss all laying options with you. You can contact us by phone on 01540 673648 or by e-mail at mail@russwood.co.uk