Architect Select® Larch exterior cladding
Our Architect Select larch cladding combines premium-grade European larch with specialist sawmill processing to deliver both aesthetic appeal and long-lasting performance.
Architect Select® Larch Gallery
At a Glance
Species
European Larch
Origin
Mountainous Europe
Appearance
Vertical and semi-vertical grain appearance
Appearance
Architect Select® Larch has a vertical and semi-vertical grain appearance, with growth rings running perpendicular to the face, giving a straight grained, refined appearance. A warm mix of colours, from light reddish brown through to golden brown, with occasional pink undertones.
Grade
Follows our stringent in-house grading process, with every board graded by hand
Grade
Our Architect Select® grade of larch is quarter sawn to produce a vertical / semi-vertical grain appearance with a maximum knot size of 45 mm diameter. We guarantee the face of the board will be sapwood free.
SiOO:X coating
Suitable for coating with SiOO:X
SiOO:X coating
Architect Select® Larch can be factory coated in-house with SiOO:X Wood Protection.
Density
Medium
Density
Medium – approximately 556 Kg/m³ at a moisture content of approximately 18%.
Stability
Good stability
Stability
Good stability — growth ring orientation and narrow profiles combine to reduce movement.
Durability
Moderately durable
Durability
Architect Select® Larch is a naturally durable species according to Class 3 BS EN 350-2. Durability is increased by our grading process, which removes non-durable sapwood from the working face.
Surface finishes
Recommended surface finishes depend on the coating system and your project specification. Please contact our Specification Team for further information.
Fire retardant
Select profiles are suitable for treatment with Burnblock®, please contact our Specification Team for further information.
Sustainability
Sustainably sourced from well managed forests.
Weathering
If left uncoated, Architect Select® Larch will weather to a muted shade of silver/grey over time.
Coatings
Architect Select® Larch pairs perfectly with SiOO:X Wood Protection for natural grey and driftwood tones, allowing the beauty of the timber to be seen. Water-based oil systems are also available in selected colours.
Application
Versatile and suitable for most cladding applications. Narrow-width profiles make it perfect for contemporary projects. Various lengths, including fixed lengths, available from stock.
See how Architect Select® Larch compares with other species.
With its vertical or semi-vertical grain and consistent figuring, this larch cladding can look great uncoated — but it’s also beautiful paired with SiOO:X, the Swedish silicon system that gives timber a consistent weathered appearance.
The larch comes from Europe, where milder temperatures compared to Russia mean the trees grow more quickly and have wider growth rings. To maximise stability and create visually attractive figuring, we use a quarter-sawn technique to produce a vertical grain profile. We also dry the larch to a precise moisture content.
Architect Select comes in two standard profiles: a horizontal open rainscreen or a contemporary vertical profile with a square edge. Both profiles are 92 mm wide and 24 mm thick, which is 20% thicker than the market standard. This creates a pronounced shadow gap and improves each board’s stability and durability.
We keep two profiles in stock, making it ideal for projects that need a quick turnaround.
Finishes
Learn more about our range of cladding surface finishes; from brushed boards, to textured finishes specifically developed to enhance coating performance.
Brushed
To create this effect, wire brushes are used to pull out the softer spring wood, exposing the harder summer wood, thus accentuating the grain and creating a beautifully textured surface.
Microtex®
A fibrous surface finish designed to provide optimal performance of SiOO:X coatings.
Next steps
Downloads
Download Environmental Product Declarations and species factsheet.
Architect Select® Larch Downloads
Architects & Specifiers
We offer a range of services to help with specifying our products.
Get a quote
Get in touch with our sales team to discuss your project.
Profile options
Architect Select Larch is available in our popular RW014 horizontal open rainscreen, and the contemporary RW082 vertical profile, which features a 7mm wide square-edged channel. Sawn square-edged sections can be used in an open rainscreen layout and a traditional board-on-board arrangement (either fine-sawn or machined).
All profiles are offered in a narrow yet thick 92mm x 24mm sizes to achieve greater stability. RW014 and RW082 and are held in stock, making them ideal for quick-turnaround projects (subject to additional processing lead times such as coatings). Various lengths including fixed lengths, available from stock.
Ready to Despatch
RW014
RW014
Standard widths: 92mm
Standard thickness: 24mm
Ready to Despatch
RW082
Standard width: 92mm
Standard thickness: 24mm
Open rainscreen
Standard width: 92mm
Standard thickness: 24mm
Board on Board
Standard width: 92mm
Standard thickness: 24mm
Coatings
Oil
A range of matt finishes which highlight the natural beauty and variation of timber.
SiOO:X
SiOO:X Wood Protection eliminates differential weathering and provides a consistently weathered tone.
Recommended fixing systems
How timber is fixed is fundamental to its long-term performance, influencing both its appearance and durability. Each Russwood species, profile and layout combination has a recommended fixing system, with detailed drawings available to help ensure the timber performs and looks its best for years to come. These are the recommended fixings for use with Architect Select Larch.
L-GoFix® A2 stainless steel screws
Face fix
Cladding screw for effective fixing and neat detailing
Russwood Battening System
Substructure
Non-toxic, engineer-assessed, method of fixing timber cladding. Circular economy ready.
KompeFix®
Face fix
Compensation strip designed to prevent direct contact between timber elements.
FassadenClip®
Secret fix
An innovative secret-fix solution for open rainscreen cladding
Questions?
With so many timber species, dimensions, profiles, coatings and fixing options to choose from, the possibilities are almost endless – which is exactly why pricing isn’t one-size-fits-all. To give you an accurate price, we first need to know more about your project.
Get in touch with our sales team for up-to-date pricing tailored to your specification. We’ll talk through your requirements and guide you to the best solution for your project and budget. To compare our cladding ranges, explore indicative price bands (£–££££) using our Compare Cladding Tool.
Yes, Russwood’s dedicated Specification Team can assist architects with selecting the best timber cladding species, coatings and fixings for their projects, ensuring both the performance and aesthetic requirements are met. We can also assist with writing the H21 (external timber cladding) National Building Specification (NBS). Find out more about the services we offer to architects.
To receive a quotation or place an order, get in touch with our sales specialists who will be happy to assist.
The quickest way and most sustainable way to view cladding samples is to browse our range of Virtual 3D Samples. Physical samples can be ordered by contacting our sales specialists who can assist with selecting the most suitable cladding for your project and send out appropriate samples.
Our handy Cladding Comparison table allows you to compare species information and timber properties at a glance.
We offer UK wide delivery on all of our products. Please contact our sales specialists for a quote.
We can offer Architect Select Larch in various lengths from stock, ranging from 3.0 to 5.1m, to suit your project needs. Fixed lengths are available. Please speak to a member of our cladding sales team for more information
Expert View
With over two decades of experience working with Siberian Larch, we knew that finding a suitable alternative was essential. Architect Select® Larch not only meets but exceeds the expectations we’ve built around larch cladding. Through careful selection, and processing, and the development of our unique profiles, we’ve created a product that offers durability, enhanced stability, and visual appeal.
News & inspiration
Architect Select® Larch wins Best Cladding Product!
We are delighted to announce that Russwood’s Architect Select® Larch has won Best Cladding Product or System at the 2024 Build…
