You’ll be pleased to hear that timber cladding is one of the easiest building materials to work with. The reason being is that it can be easily shaped into intricate designs quickly, making for smooth, straightforward & efficient progress on your building project.

As a result, using timber cladding will allow your building teams to work at a super fast pace. Cost will be kept low, and customer satisfaction will be high when they see works being completed in a speedy fashion. 

Here at West Midlands Builders Merchants (WMBM), we are part of the WM Group of companies which also includes WMDG (Glazing Products), WMHI (Home Improvements) and WMPD (Property Developments). 

Across the various arms of the WM family, we have developed a wealth of experience in using external timber cladding, as well as the ability to advise our customers on the best route to take regarding installations. 

Read on to find out our top tips and recommendations to ensure that your cladding installations are of the highest quality! And if you’re located in the West Midlands area and are in need of some materials, head over to our cladding page today…

Cladding Preparation

As with most things in life, preparation is key. The first aspect of external timber cladding installation is choosing the correct timber species. 

These different species have both aesthetic and behavioural differences. So, depending on the type of building project you are undertaking, some timber species may be a better option than others. 

The main differences include appearance, durability, colour, grain and longevity. These are very important aspects to think about when planning any aspect of a building project, and this is no different when it comes to choosing your external timber cladding! 

Cladding Profiles

The next port of call is deciding which cladding profile you want to use. Again, different cladding profiles will be better suited for certain projects, as this will determine how the cladding behaves, looks and how it will impact on the installation process. 

Different cladding profiles have unique advantages to make use of. Here’s a run down of some of the most common profiles in the industry…

Feather Edge 

A traditional looking profile, created by sawing a board along its length diagonally. The resulting cladding can be overlapped when fitting, similar to the technique seen when installing roofing slates. 

Advantages: 

• Cheaper than most other cladding profiles
• Provides a traditional or rustic finish for those who desire it
• Available in oak, douglas fir, pine and thermowood

Shiplap

A profile with a smooth finish and overlapping edge to ensure complete water tightness. Shiplap cladding can be seen across both modern and traditional properties, but the height of its popularity was in the 1960s and 1970s. It is believed to have been used in early shipbuilding methods, ergo the name. 

Advantages: 

• Shiplap hides fixing screws, making them invisible as the next cladding boars is placed over it

Tongue & Groove

Arguably the most popular external timber cladding profile, providing a very contemporary under look that suits most modern properties. Although some care is needed during transport and installation due the thin tongues the profile possesses. 

Advantages: 

• The interlocking tongues and grooves yields increased stability
• Modern aesthetic

Half lap

A clean and linear cladding profile which is completely waterproof. It best suits new build properties and modern extensions. 

Advantages:

• Half lap can often be used as vertical cladding
• A sharp aesthetic is provided which suits contemporary properties or renovations

Splayed

The splayed profile consists of rhomboid shaped boards which are evenly spaced. Unlike the above profiles, splayed cladding doesn’t interlock, but can be made waterproof it laid close together. 

Advantages: 

• Once installed, it makes for one of the most beautiful profiles
• Splayed cladding requires less maintenance that other options
• It has increased thermal performance

Timber Treatment & Acclimatisation

Timber needs to acclimatise to its surroundings, as wood swells and shrinks as it absorbs and loses moisture. The material undergoes a natural process of wanting to acclimatise and reach an equilibrium point of moisture content with the environment that surrounds it. Installing cladding in an environment that is significantly drier than where it was stored can result in warping or cracking as it adjusts. 

Therefore, the location of the build is an important factor to consider, as different timber is used in different climates. All timber must have completely acclimatised before being installed. Ensure that you store timber in a dry, cool place with good ventilation (i.e. remove any packaging around it) to allow the acclimatisation to occur as efficiently as possible. This should take approximately two weeks. 

During this time, you can prepare the wall by removing any skirting, rails, and checking the wall for weak points by tapping it. If a wall sounds hollow, it’s likely that the plaster won’t be strong enough to hold the cladding and will need to be removed and replaced.

Measure Twice. Cut Once

As the old saying goes, it’s always better to check and double check your measurements and product specifications throughly. There isn’t a worse feeling in the world than almost being finished with a project, and suddenly realising you need a few more pieces of cladding. 

A good way to avoid this happening is by incorporating a building management plan into your process. Chat with architects and building teams, and assess timescales and material requirements. You should have all the info you need to ensure you buy the correct amount of building materials including timber. 

External Timber Cladding Installation

Equipment you will need: 

• Cladding
• Battens
• Wood Filler
• Cladding Fixings
• Varnish
• Power Drill
• Saw
• Claw Hammer
• Spirit Level
• Pencil

The species & profile have been selected, the timber has acclimatised and you have acquired the exact amount of materials you need to complete the task at hand. Now, it is time to fit and fix your external timber cladding! 

The selection of timber profile will largely determine how to install your cladding, as the various profiles fit together in different ways. However, cladding panels should universally be installed by attaching them to backing structure battens. Each panel should also be individually fixed. 

Cladding Fixings

Fixings must sit flush to the cladding board surface, and we recommend doing this by hand. This will aid in the prevention of overdriven nails, which therefore avoids any splitting or other visible damage that could occur to the panels. 

There are two types of fixings that you typically use to install external timber cladding…

Secret Fix – Where a single fixing is applied through the bevel line (normally 25 degrees) of any profile width up to 100mm. 

Face Fix – Where nails are fixed through the thickest part of the cladding, with each board fixed independently. Applied to any cladding profile width over 100mm. Face fixing must be used when installing the first board on each elevation. 

Wall Structures

The wall structure itself will have an affect on the best way to install external timber cladding. An expert is necessary here, but we’ll provide a brief general guide below…

Step 1

Once a wall is prepared and the cladding is readied, you will need to attach battens to the appropriate wall. Battens are pieces of treated timber that will support the cladding. Battens are generally nailed to the all, but in some cases you may be able to just use adhesive. However, nails are more appropriate in the vast majority of cases. Battens should be attached in horizontal strain lines with intervals of around 400mm on the wall, with the lowest batten placed just above the skirting. 

Step 2

Before moving on to installing any cladding, make sure that it is ready i.e. sanded down and dusted. By doing this, all the cladding will require post-attachment will be a final layer of paint or stain. 

It is far more difficult to do the aforementioned tasks once attached, as you won’t be able to remove the cladding or reach the edges of each board. Then, apply two layers of your paint or stain to the cladding to prevent warping, but fo not apply any to the tongue & grove to ensure that the fit is uninterrupted. 

Step 3

The next step is marking your boards at your chosen height with a pencil and mark all angles accurately too. If a mistake is made here, the tongues & grooves in the cladding won’t fit together properly. 

Step 4

At this point, your cladding should have dried and be ready for installation. Work from left to right when installing, and regularly check the levelness of the boards with a spirit level. Even if you know your battens are on straight, it’s surprisingly easy to get engrossed during this phase and slowest drift off course! 

Step 5

Insert the pins past the groove of the cladding and straight into the batten behind it. When one cladding board is attached to the batten, place the next board in position and use an office to protect the groove of the new board as you gently hammer it into position. 

Step 6

Finally, once all cladding is in place, you can go ahead and fit any skirtings and mouldings around them. Ensure that you pre-finish in the same way that you did the cladding, and fill any pin holes with wood filler. Apply a final coat of finish to the wall and the task is complete!

Please note that slightly amended approach may be required for different walls…

External Wall – Attach battens to the external wall, before then fixing cladding to these battens. 

Cavity Wall – Attach battens with plug and screw, before then fixing cladding to these battens.

Timber Frame Wall – Attach battens to studs in the wall, before fixing cladding to these battens. Ensure that there is also a breather membrane to allow for sufficient airflow. 

And that is how to install external timber cladding! 

We hope that this blog aids you on your external timber cladding projects! 

Speaking of which, if you need some cladding and are looking for a Builders Merchants in Birmingham or a Builders Merchants in Coventry to supply your needs, look no further than West Midlands Builders Merchants! 

At WMBM, we are you one stop shop for building supplies and materials in the region. We simply won’t be beaten on price, product quality or customer service. 

Have a browse through our various product pages which include plastic building supplies, drainage, guttering, roofing, cladding, insulation, plumbing, electrical supplies & more. 

You’ll be able to find some of our prices on each page, but if you need more information, give our team a call today! Call our BIRMINGHAM branch on: 0121 558 3888 or our COVENTRY branch on: 0247 666 7050. 

The post How To Install External Timber Cladding? appeared first on West Midlands Builders Merchants.

Roof tiles, cement and timber were among the key building supplies which were impacted and more recently, data shows that general building costs were up by 2.8% in August from July due to the current lorry driver shortages. The lack of HGV drivers is causing havoc for supply chains across numerous industries including supermarkets and petrol stations.

Jewson, one of Britain’s biggest builders’ merchants, has said this is “the deepest supply chain crisis in decades” due to the sustained disruption linked to Covid & Brexit.

However, we are pleased to report some good news in the West Midlands Builders Merchants Branches in Smethwick & Coventry, where we are seeing stock levels return to somewhat normal levels. So, it’s not all doom and gloom and we are keeping our fingers crossed that these levels sustain.

Whether you’re a builder, renovator, home improvement company, construction company or a DIYer, keep reading to learn which materials are facing shortages or price hikes this year, and plan your building project accordingly!

How Will the Building Materials Shortage Impact You?

Building Materials For DIYers

If you’re looking to embark on some self-home-improvement in the coming months, a lot of builders merchants have been affected by the shortages. Cement and landscaping products in particular are common products that we hear shortages about, so you may see a noticeable price surge of these products across the merchants.

Building Materials For Builders & Self Builders

Steel and timber frames will most likely be your foe for the coming months. Both of these products have been in short supply and have risen in costs significantly.

Building Materials For Renovators & Home Improvement Companies

According to the latest data from the BEIS Monthly Statistics of Building Materials and Components report for August, the cost of materials for maintenance work and repair increased by 25.9% between 2020 and 2021. It’s unlikely that this huge hike will fall any time soon, so expect to renovators and home improvement companies to alter their own pricing accordingly.

Which Building Materials Have Been Affected Most?

Timber

Ever since the initial lockdown back in March 2020, there has been a nationwide timber shortage amongst a high demand for wood and wood products. The importing of wood is still challenging and timber battens are still low in supply.

Cement

Cement bags have been in short supply since late 2020. However, there has been some easing with both bulk and bagged cement in recent months. The issue is domestic distribution. Due to the lack of current transit capabilities in the UK, getting the cement down the localised supply chains is still problematic.

Roofing

Lead times for concrete roof tiles are averaging between 24-30 weeks according to the CLC Group, and roughly 50% of the NationalFederation of Roofing Contractors members are reporting shortages from the begging of 2021.

Steel

Back on May 2021, British steel sopped taking order on structural sections due to “extreme demand.”They raised their prices by £80 per tonne for all new orders.

Paints & Sealants

The global shortage and cost of shipping containers have restricted the supply of paints and sealants to the UK.

Plasterboard & Plaster

Earlier this year, there was a severe plaster shortage (which has since improved), and increased lead times for plasterboard is to still be expected.

Other building material shortages have also been reported for the following products: insulation, electrical supplies, bricks & blocks, screws, plumbing items, shower enclosures, PIR insulation, aggregates, fixing, sanitaryware and kitchen carcasses.

How Long Will the Building Supplies Shortage Last?

The Construction Products Association (CPA) said in August that these shortages are likely to remain an issue for the next 6 to 9 months at least.

On a more positive note however, the CLC Group believe that the supply chain is just about managing in these unbrescendated times and that “while many factors could still cause disruption, we are currently in a better position than three to four months ago.”

When Will Building Material Prices Decrease?

The short answer is not this year. Price, demand and lead time increases are makings extremely difficult for both manufacturers and suppliers to build up their stock prices. Consistent scarcity will lead to a maintenance of high price levels. The CLC Group say that material price inflation has slowed, but it in indicated that price stability won’t occur before 2022, and even then many predict further price rises into the new year

The Federation of Master Builders (FMB) also reported that 98% of its members are experiencing price rise and a report form Turner & Townsend suggests that tender prices could be 10% higher at the end of the year on some types of work than what they were at the end of 2020.

Why is There a Building Materials Shortage?

The Pandemic

During the first lockdown, there was a huge increase in the demand for home improvement services. With the increased time spent at home, many saw this as the perfect opportunity to finally undertake extension and renovation projects. Supply chains have been stretched ever since.

Lack of HGV Drivers

There is currently a shortage of over 100,000 lorry drivers in the UK, and some suppliers have reportedly asked builders’ merchants to collect their own orders as they cannot attain enough drivers to fulfil deliveries themselves.

Brexit

The effects of Brexit have not yet been overcome. With an estimated 60% of imported building used in the UK coming from the EU, Brexit has increased the supply lines for many European companies wishing to export their goods to the British Isles.

Brexit and Covid-19 have mixed to form an environment where supply is low and costs are high for both materials and the cost of shipping from overseas, many of which are affected by the introduction of new charges.

Domestic & Overseas Raw Building Materials Shortage

Due to an increase in overall global demand, raw material shortages are constraining the ability to produce certain products as well as the packaging for them. There’s also the overall slowdown, factory closures outside of the UK which only add to the building material drought.

Governmental Impacts

The UK government has stoked the fire when it comes to urge people to renovate with the ‘Help to Build’ scheme back in April. There has also been a government backing of £150m for people to build their own homes.

Market Changes

There is still a lot of uncertainty in many industries, and we don’t really know what will happen to the industries which are currently struggling. As long as the demand for people wanting to build persists, a price rise is also likely to persist.

How To Plan Amidst The Building Materials Shortage

if you’re looking to start or are in the middle of a building project, future planning as far as you possibly can in advance will be crucial to not being caught out by price increases and supply droughts.

Work closely with your supply chain and communicate as early and as regularly as possible with supplier, distributors and merchants.

It is likely that product availability will be a prolonged issue for many months to come, and consumers need to be knowledgable about the cost of their projects being susceptible to change until things normalise.

We would recommend not compromising on quality due to price hikes i.e. don’;t default to choosing the builder with the cheapest quote as there is a high chance that you may pay for this decision even more so financially down the line.

The latest update from the Federation of Master Builders was on the 22nd September 2021 which states: “The latest meeting of the Construction Leadership Council’s Product Availability Group discussed a slight levelling off in material demand, with a slightly improved supply chain and lead times.” 

However, since then, in the West Midlands Builders Merchants branches at least, we are seeing stock levels return to normal, and it seems like things are getting back on track.

Visit West Midlands Builders Merchants

If you’re looking for building supplies and materials in Birmingham, the West Midlands and surrounding areas, pay West Midlands Builders Merchants a visit. We have two branches located in Smethwick and Coventry and as mentioned in the introduction of this article, our stock levels are in a favourable place at the time of writing this.

Contact us today to get the latest prices on any of our building wares.

The post Is There Currently A Building Materials Shortage in the UK? appeared first on West Midlands Builders Merchants.

As sustainability becomes more of a pressing issue, all industries must adapt in order to do the least harm possible to the environment. The construction industry is no different. Homeowners and construction companies alike are looking for more sustainable building materials to include in their properties. 

Eco-friendly homes not only do less environmental damage, but they also can significantly increase the resale value of a property and can also help save on utility & maintenance costs too. So, there is profitability for both the planet and your wallet!

The Unsustainability Issue With Current Building Materials

Image credit: mckinsey.com

Many are unaware that many buildings contribute as much as one third of total global greenhouse gas emissions, primarily through the use of fossil fuels during their operational phase. In North America alone, the building sector accounts for about 37% of Carbon dioxide (CO2) and 40% in Europe and this is likely to continue in the ensuing years. If we continue to build with unsustainable materials, eventually we will run out of materials to build with and the tipping point is rapidly approaching!

The most commonly used building materials in construction today are concrete and steel. The manufacturing, transport and installation of these materials requires a very large quantity of energy, whilst only representing a minimal part of the total cost of the overall building. 

Concrete contains a small amount of embodied energy in the form of carbon and, when multiplied by the massive amounts used in construction, it is the material which emits the greatest amount of carbon in the world. It’s also worth noting that the process of cement mixing is extremely energy and fossil fuel intensive, and concrete cannot be reused for construction again. 

Moving onto steel, the material is very difficult to create. The production of steel requires temperatures of up to 3,500 degrees Fahrenheit, which is achieved using fossil fuels. Furthermore,  when steel is recycled, it has to be melted at high temperatures in order to be repurposed. The source of this energy is again fossil fuels, so even when recycled, steel is still damaging the environment. 

What Are The Most Sustainable Building Materials? 

Image credit: neutrinobursts.com

Now that we know of the problem, let’s move onto the solution. Thankfully, according to the World Green Building Trends Report by Dodge Data & Analytics, green building is now a global trend which is expected to grow significantly in the coming years. The percentage of firms expecting to have more than 60% of their projects certified as green building has grown from 16% in 2016 to 32% in 2018. Industry experts are expecting this percentage to increase to 45% by 2021. 

These are very encouraging statistics. Also, with the increased in demand for homeowners, home improvement companies and construction firms wanting to build green, more innovative green materials are in development in order to cater for this growing market. Speaking of which, here are our picks for the most sustainable building materials as it stands in 2021…

Composite Roof Shingles

Image credit: bob villa.com

Traditional roof tiles are far from long-lasting as they require continual repair and replacement; a major drain on resources. These tiles frequently crack, fade and raise which can in turn allow air moisture to transfer in and out of a home, and heat retention can decrease. 

A far better alternative is composite roof shingles which require a fraction of the maintenance and can last up to 50 years and beyond! These shingles are also made form recycled paper products, fibreglass and asphalt adding to it’s environmentally-friendless. 

Unlike alternative roofing options, composite shingles are known to be highly durable, fire-proof, wind-proof, fade-fade-resistant and absorb less moisture. Less energy is consumed throughout the lifetime of this product and it comes with a whole host of other benefits. 

Smart Glass Windows

Image credit: venturebeat.com

A significant shift in the home improvement and construction worlds is the increased use of large windows to provide more natural light in buildings, and therefore less requirement of electric light sources. 

Smart glass is a particularly eco-friendly choice of glazing as its material adapts to the the climate around it. In summer months, the glass turns translucent to block any heat wavelengths that would require your air conditioning to work overtime. Whilst in the winter, the glass becomes transparent to let these wavelengths in to aid in heating efforts. Clever, huh? 

Bamboo Flooring

Image credit: thespruce.com

Certainly a very bold option, but definitely a sustainable one. Bamboo is very similar to wood in appearance but the harvest cycle is significantly shorter. Whilst normal trees have a harvest cycle of roughly 25 years, the bamboo cycle is just 3 years. By choosing this material, the rate of deforestation will slow considerably! 

The material also required very little maintenance. Bamboo trees thrive in droughts and can tolerate most soil types. In terms of functionality, bamboo flooring is extremely versatile with strand-woven bamboo being exceptionally durable, and an inexpensive alternative to other commercial flooring options. 

Solar Panels

Image credit: build-review.com

Solar panels upon roofs and in gardens is becoming a more frequent sight. Not only has the technology of the panels improved, but so has its aesthetic appearance. The installation of solar panels is a way to reduce a home’s dependence on non-renewable energy sources. 

Although the installation of the panels is relatively expensive as an initial investment, the long term cost saving is well worth. Imagine the reduction in electricity bills alone on a monthly basis! A year of electricity saving through solar panels will easily make up for the upfront fees.

Solar panels also come in roof tile form thanks to the work done by Tesla/Solar City. These tiles replicate the appearance of traditional shingles but they function as solar panels. Gone are the days of requiring huge panels on your roof. Nowadays, the technology blends seamlessly, unfaltering the aesthetic of your home. 

Hemp Insulation 

Image credit: naturalinsulations.co.uk

Theoretically, any type of insulation will have energy saving benefits. However, these savings are negated if the materials used in said insulation isn’t sustainably sourced. Many contain batts, fillers and sprays which often use toxic chemicals in the binding process and to help with fire resistance. 

An alternative, natural and plant-based which is quickly growing in popularity is hemp insulation. The material contains all of the same insulate properties of fibreglass or cellulose and with it’s ability to be compressed, hemp can even be a superior for home insulation. Non-toxic bonding agents and fire treatments are also used in the manufacturing of hemp insulation products. 

Sustainable building materials have contain all functionalities, don;don’t sacrifice quality and have aesthetic appeal whilst being harmonious 

Rammed Earth

Image credit: treehugger.com

History showcases that constructing buildings from earth is one of the oldest and durable techniques…the Great Wall of China for example. Flash-forward to modern day and you’ll find this technique used in luxury homes to create dramatic backdrops. 

The material can even be act as thermal storage. The sun will warm the walls (or flooring) during the day and then slowly release that heat in the cooler evenings. 

The technique used to create the rammed earth for construction uses very little carbon. Forms are used where soil and binder is placed in layers and then pressured to create a hard surface. Companies have even gone as far to create rammed earth blocks using waste materials from quarries, creating a low or even zero carbon cement blocks! 

Straw Bales

Image credit: organicnaturalpaint.co.uk

Everything really does come full circle in life doesn’t it. Who would have thought straw bales would have been one of the most sustainable building materials in 2021! 

For those not in the know, these bales are made from the waste of the agricultural industry. They are then repurposed, packaged in a convenient bale-form and used as substitute for lumber. The knock-on effect being relieving pressure on old growth forests and the preservation of wildlife habitats. Furthermore, despite what you may believe, straw bales are actually very fire resistant and provide excellent insulation. 

Biocomposites – Mushroom Insulation & Particle Boards

Image credit: modeintextile.fr

Whoever imagined a world where we would be creating building materials from plants! Biocomposites or bioplastics are products that are derived from plant, animal, fungal and bacterial sources. 

Mushroom-based building in particular has been on the rise of late. Mushroom roots, or mycelium, produce building materials that are stronger than concrete, more insulating than fibreglass and 100% compostable. Also, mycelium grows without light underground so no external energy via artificial lightning is necessary for growth of the product. 

One of the most notable mushroom based applications is an eco-friendly insulation material which is injects in-between an interior and exterior wall. The material silently grows and becomes so strong that the walls need no additional supporting structure. Amazing, right!? 

Finally, there is Myco Board which looks and functions like particle board or chipboard, but contains no wood at all. Myco Boards are cheaper, lighter and stronger than their traditional alternatives, but they are completely compostable and can contain modifications to repel pests and mould. They also completely free from toxins unlike pressed pressed wood products…certainly one of the biggest benefits of mushroom products. 

Those are our pics for this year’s most sustainable building materials…

We hope you enjoyed the very first blog from West Midlands Builders Merchants. There’s plenty more to come!  

If you’re a builder, home improvement company or just looking to do some DIY and are living in the Birmingham & West Midlands area, we have two locations in Smethwick and Coventry for all of the building materials and supplies you’ll ever need.

Contact us today to get the latest prices on any of our building wares.

Until next time! 

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