Types of Wood Siding

Charred timber cladding at the Northern Lights CCS project in Norway

Wood siding, also called timber cladding, gives a building a protective outer layer and a distinct architectural character. The right choice is not determined by species alone. Board quality, moisture conditions, profile, surface treatment, coating, ventilation, fixings and installation details all influence how a facade performs and changes over time.

There is no single best wood siding for every project. A sound specification begins with the building location, wall build-up and exposure, followed by the intended appearance and maintenance approach. This guide compares the main timber options and explains the practical decisions that should be resolved before ordering.

How to compare wood siding options

  • Application: confirm that the product, profile and finish are suitable for the intended exterior or interior use.
  • Exposure: assess sunlight, driving rain, prevailing wind, splashback and sheltered areas.
  • Wall design: provide the required ventilation, drainage, membranes, cavity barriers and opening details.
  • Fixings: use compatible, corrosion-resistant fixings and follow the specified fixing pattern.
  • Appearance: agree acceptable variation in colour, grain, knots and texture using representative samples.
  • Maintenance: decide whether natural weathering is acceptable or whether a particular colour and surface condition should be retained.
  • Documentation: check the relevant technical data and project requirements before final specification.

Charred wood siding

Charred wood cladding is defined by its treated surface rather than by one timber species. Degmeda produces charred products from spruce, larch and Thermo Pinus Radiata, alongside modified-wood products such as Accoya®. Grain, knots, density and natural variation remain part of the finished board.

Incoming timber is inspected and sorted before production. The manufacturing process then moves through burning, brushing, oiling and packaging, with quality control at every stage. Boards are burned using dedicated furnaces. The visual result is shaped by the base timber, modification, brushing, oiling and colour system. Deep Char has a strongly textured black surface, while brushed finishes reveal more of the timber grain.

Controlled charring improves the timber’s resistance to moisture, weathering, decay and insect attack. How long that holds up depends on the facade around it: ventilation, drainage, membranes, fixings and well-detailed junctions each carry part of the load.

Dark Black charred larch cladding on the Blackwood residence

Common timber and modified-wood options

Spruce

Spruce is a softwood with a recognisable grain and natural knots. It can produce a light, restrained facade or a strongly textured charred surface. Board grade, machining quality and the finishing system matter because natural variation forms an important part of its appearance.

Spruce should be specified as part of a ventilated cladding system with suitable moisture control, compatible fixings and careful end-grain detailing. Its final performance cannot be judged from the species name alone.

Larch

Larch is valued for its pronounced grain and warm natural colouring. Its density and resin content differ from spruce, which affects machining, coating and weathering. It suits contemporary and traditional architecture where the designer wants the timber pattern to remain clearly visible.

Colour, grain and occasional surface movement should be considered across several boards rather than judged from one small sample. Ask for supplier documentation before relying on a stated geographic origin.

Pinus radiata

Pinus radiata has an unusually even structure, which is why it takes thermal modification, brushing, charring and coating so predictably. The result is a controlled linear texture that repeats reliably across a facade.

New Zealand is a major source of Pinus radiata, but the origin of a Degmeda batch should not be inferred without its supply documentation.

Accoya

Accoya is not a separate tree species. It is acetylated modified wood made primarily from Pinus radiata. The modification process is designed to improve dimensional stability and biological durability throughout the timber rather than relying on a surface coating alone. It is often selected for demanding exterior details and precise contemporary facades.

Modification does not remove the need for correct design, ventilation, fixings or maintenance of an applied finish. Coated Accoya will still change according to exposure and the chosen finishing system.

Thermo Wood

Thermo Wood is timber modified using controlled heat and steam. Thermal modification changes moisture behaviour and dimensional stability while also creating a warmer tone. Degmeda’s range includes Thermo Spruce and Thermo Pinus Radiata products with classic, brushed, hacked and oiled surface options.

For heavily exposed horizontal surfaces such as decking, look closely at the profile, surface finish, fixing method, expected wear and maintenance approach before you specify.

Board profiles and facade character

The board profile can affect a modern facade as much as the timber. Narrow boards create a fine rhythm, while wider boards can make a volume appear calmer and more monolithic. Shadow gaps, overlaps and concealed or visible fixings change how the facade reads in different light.

Vertical siding often emphasises height and works well on simple building forms. Horizontal siding can strengthen long elevations and create a more familiar timber expression. Diagonal layouts can add movement but require especially careful planning around drainage, battens, openings and board junctions. The visual direction must always be coordinated with the ventilation and drainage strategy.

Amber charred spruce cladding on a modern villa in Jönköping

Natural, coated and charred finishes

Uncoated timber generally changes colour as it is exposed to sunlight and weather. The rate and uniformity depend on orientation, shelter, moisture and surrounding details, so different elevations may age differently.

A coating can introduce colour and help manage surface weathering, but it creates its own inspection and maintenance requirements. Dark, light, opaque and translucent finishes respond differently to sunlight and reveal the grain to different degrees. Real samples should be viewed outside and, where possible, across several boards.

Charred and brushed finishes add texture and depth. Some use a more pronounced Deep Char texture, while others reveal more of the timber grain. These are aesthetic and surface-treatment differences, not a reason to ignore the underlying timber or the facade specification.

Maintenance and weathering

There is no universal maintenance interval for wood siding. Inspection and care depend on the timber, finish, elevation, local climate, construction details and the appearance the owner wants to preserve. Sheltered sections may age differently from fully exposed areas.

Regular visual checks should identify blocked ventilation, trapped debris, coating damage, loose fixings and places where water remains against the boards. Cleaning should follow the product and coating guidance. Aggressive pressure washing can damage timber fibres or a finished surface, so it is not routine care for every facade. See our guides to cladding cleaning and oil maintenance.

Choosing siding for a modern facade

Begin with the architectural intent and technical demands, then compare complete cladding systems rather than isolated species names. Successful timber facades combine a clear board rhythm, controlled detailing, realistic weathering expectations and a maintenance approach agreed before installation.

Degmeda specialises in charred wood and Thermo Wood products for exterior and interior applications. The team can help architects, builders and homeowners compare timber, profiles, textures and finishes for a particular facade. Final suitability should be confirmed against the building location, wall build-up, regulatory requirements and installation method.

Continue with Timber Facade Cladding: How to Choose and our profiles and layouts guide.