Is red timber cladding having a moment?
We’ve seen plenty of black, grey and natural timber cladding in contemporary architecture, but could warmer, bolder colours be making their way back into the spotlight? Rich oxide red finishes have been catching our attention recently. These earthy tones can make a statement without necessarily feeling out of place, bringing warmth and character to buildings in both rural and urban settings. With two recent Russwood projects featuring this distinctive finish, we’re taking a closer look at the growing interest in red timber cladding.
A familiar colour with a contemporary feel
Red timber cladding is far from a new idea. In Scandinavia, deep red finishes have been used on timber buildings for centuries, most notably the traditional Swedish Falu red, a distinctive colour originally created using iron-rich pigments from copper mining.
Today, architects are reinterpreting these familiar colours in contemporary designs. Unlike brighter, more saturated reds, earthy oxide and terracotta tones have a softness that allows them to sit comfortably alongside natural materials, including stone and brick.
Red timber cladding in practice
Two recent projects featuring Russwood Thermopine® demonstrate how red finishes can give timber a distinctive architectural character.
Kent Barn
At Kent Barn, designed by Knowles Whittingham, Thermopine RW119 brushed cladding was factory coated with a bespoke oxide red finish, creating a warm, textured appearance that draws inspiration from the building’s rural surroundings. We also produced bespoke 92 × 42 mm timber fins in a matching specification, creating a cohesive finish across the façade.
The extension takes cues from traditional agricultural outbuildings, with its red-toned timber and corrugated metal cladding helping the contemporary addition sit comfortably within its historic setting. The earthy colour palette also creates a connection with the original artist’s studio and surrounding landscape.
Russwood FinFix® was also specified for the protruding fins, providing a concealed fixing solution that contributes to the project’s clean architectural detailing.
Lambieletham
At Lambieletham, by Mary-Arnold Forster Architects, a similarly warm red finish has been achieved using coated Thermopine 92 × 20 mm square-edge boards. The oxide red coating was applied to a custom heavy-brushed texture, developed collaboratively by the architect and Russwood, creating a distinctive finish that adds depth and character to the timber façade.
Exploring colour with timber cladding
While natural timber finishes remain popular, there’s plenty of scope to experiment with colour. Russwood offers a range of factory-applied coatings, including bespoke colours, for projects where a particular finish is required.
Beyond colour, timber species, surface texture and profile all influence the final appearance. A brushed surface, for example, can introduce additional texture and depth beneath a painted finish. For those considering red timber cladding, factors such as coating selection, application method and long-term maintenance should all be considered early in the specification process.
A colour worth considering?
Whether red timber cladding is making a comeback or has never really gone away is up for debate. What Kent Barn and Lambieletham do show is that there’s still plenty of room for colour in contemporary timber architecture.
Interested in red timber cladding?
Our Specification Team can help you explore timber species, profiles and bespoke coating options to achieve the right finish for your design.
