How to Install Exterior Timber Cladding

Installing exterior timber cladding is an effective, budget friendly way to add personality and character to your outdoor space. It’s a very low maintenance cladding material, only requiring a wash and a brush every now and then to look as stunning as the day you installed it.

But, before you can enjoy your refreshed outdoor space, you’ll need to know how to clad an exterior wall with wood and fix it properly.

To help you have a stress free process, we’ve put together a simple timber cladding installation guide below with step by step instructions specifically for exterior applications.

1. Choose your timber cladding

It’s important to choose a style of timber cladding that fits your property’s aesthetic. At Funky Timber, we offer sustainably sourced timber cladding and reclaimed timber cladding. We even have combination packs if you’d prefer a mixture of complementary colours.

Make sure you order the correct board size for your exterior area and take advantage of available customisation options. We offer paint, varnish, treatment, and glitter finishes for extra durability, as well as square edge or tongue and groove cladding profile variations for a seamless finish.

For a super easy exterior cladding installation, you can add our DIY Installation Pack to your order. Just tell us the length of your exterior wall, and we’ll provide you with everything you need.

2. Let your timber cladding boards acclimate

Timber is a very reactive material that ‘breathes’. With this in mind, the wood needs to absorb and release moisture before installation. This will prevent any expansion or contraction once it’s installed.

Once your timber cladding has arrived, leave it in a dry area with a consistent temperature for around 48 to 72 hours.

3. Gather your installation tools

To install your exterior timber cladding, you will need the following tools:

• Your timber cladding boards

• Battens

• A breathable membrane (optional — our timber cladding boards are rot and weather resistant, but a membrane can be used as an extra layer of protection)

• Timber cladding fixings — cladding nails or screws that are at least 2.5x the thickness of your boards

• Measuring tape, level, saw, drill, staple gun, hammer, or a 2nd fix nail gun

4. Prepare the surface

Make sure that the exterior surface you’re installing your cladding onto is clean.

If you’re adding a breathable membrane, simply roll and stretch it over the surface, overlapping each layer by roughly 100mm. Secure it in place with a staple gun as you go and trim any overhanging excess.

5. Install the battens

Your cladding battens will provide an air gap between your timber cladding boards and the surface, providing ample ventilation to protect against moisture damage. They also act as a supportive framework base, providing a stable surface for your timber cladding to attach to.

Decide whether you’ll be installing your timber cladding and battens vertically or horizontally, and trim them to size using a saw if need be. Then, nail or screw each batten to the surface, leaving 400mm gaps between each.

6. Fix your cladding

Once your batten framework is in place, you can fix your exterior timber cladding.

You should start installing from the bottom if working horizontally, with the first being the most important board, as it sets the alignment for the rest of the installation. Use a spirit leveller to confirm it is even, and repeat this process after every board.

Attach each board to the battens using two screws or nails approximately 20mm from the edge of the surface. If you’re using nails, try driving them in at an angle for better grip.

Seamless exterior timber cladding installation with Funky Timber

When you buy timber cladding boards from Funky Timber, you can choose the exact size you need, as well as any varnish, treatment, and fire resistant coating options at check out.

We will deliver your cladding boards to your property ready to install (after acclimatisation) so you can get your outdoor space looking stylish in no time.

With the addition of our optional DIY Installation Pack, you’ll have almost everything you need to get started. Don’t fancy tackling a DIY timber cladding installation? Take advantage of our expert team’s installation service and we’ll fit it for you! Simply use our installation quote form, or call us on 01744 747 787 and we will provide a quote.

Browse our timber cladding boards today, and feel free to contact us if you have any questions.