House cladding with wooden panels – all the pros and cons

For centuries, wood panels have been a common option for exterior siding because of their classic and organic appearance. They fit in well with a variety of architectural styles and give warmth and character to any house. However, wooden panels have advantages and disadvantages of their own, just like any other building material.

The advantages of using wooden panels for cladding, including their aesthetic appeal and environmental friendliness, will be discussed in this article. We will also talk about the possible disadvantages, such as upkeep needs and weather susceptibility.

You can decide whether wooden panels are the best option for the outside of your house by being aware of the advantages and disadvantages. Let’s examine the benefits and potential drawbacks of wooden cladding in more detail.

Pros of House Cladding with Wooden Panels	Cons of House Cladding with Wooden Panels
Natural and warm aesthetic	Requires regular maintenance
Good insulation properties	Vulnerable to moisture and pests
Environmentally friendly material	Higher initial cost compared to some alternatives
Versatile design options	Can be damaged by extreme weather conditions

Facade finishing materials made of wood

Just a few decades ago, the most affordable and easily accessible option for country house facades was wooden finishing. Its appeal has somewhat diminished with the introduction of contemporary artificial materials, which are more affordable and have superior performance qualities.

Advantages and disadvantages of wood paneling

For some developers, the primary criterion for selection is the naturalness and environmental friendliness of such finishing, which remains the main advantage. However, since the material used for the facade has very little direct impact on health and wellbeing, many people prefer these attributes to wood’s lack of durability, resistance to outside influences, and low maintenance requirements. The primary grievances regarding this content:

• High price compared to many other types of finishing. Especially for high-quality and processed wood;
• Instability to biological influences – the growth of mold, fungi, damage by insects;
• Sensitivity to moisture, sunlight, temperature changes that accelerate rotting and destruction of wood trim;
• The need for annual protective and repair measures.

In other words, using panels made of the same material to clad a wooden house is not the best option available today because facades can be finished more affordably and will last longer without requiring additional labor or financial resources.

Types of wooden panels

When manufacturing cladding panels from natural wood, contemporary manufacturers have made an effort to account for and balance out all of its drawbacks. New materials with better qualities have entered the market as a result of the introduction of new technologies. Among them are:

• OSB panels (oriented strand boards), imitating clapboard or logs. Made from wood fibers pressed with resin.
  differ from the array more resistance to moisture and ultraviolet, but still requires careful care and protection of the front surface by staining, varnishing or impregnation with special compounds.

• Solid wood panels impregnated with antiseptic and fire retardant compounds at the factory. Impregnation and processing of wood is carried out using a special technology that allows these compounds to penetrate deep into its structure and provide high-quality protection against rotting and fire.

As a point of reference. There is no impregnation that you can apply on a wooden surface by hand that will offer the level of protection that finished panel manufacturers guarantee.

• WPC – panels made of wood-polymer composite materials manufactured by extrusion. Their performance properties are very high – such panels are not afraid of moisture, frost, or other aggressive influences.

As a point of reference. The DPP is even used to make terrace boards and roofing materials, which are used as flooring in open, non-heated spaces.

Other materials can also be used to finish wood-based facades. Take CSP and OSB, for instance. Large slabs are used in their construction, which expedites installation; however, because of their ugly appearance, additional decorative finishing, like painting or plastering, is needed.

Installation technology

Self-tapping screws or nails are used to attach panels to a pre-assembled frame, regardless of whether the panels are made of natural or artificial raw materials. Here is a general list of the works that we have. The relevant articles contain more thorough installation instructions for each particular type of panel; the manufacturer should also affix these instructions to their products. Thus:

• Preparing the facade without leveling it – sealing defects, joints, cleaning from mold, filling inter-crown seams, etc.p.;
• Installation on the wall of a windproof film, if additional insulation is not planned;
• Installation of a frame made of metal profiles or wooden slats of a suitable cross-section perpendicular to the direction of fastening of the panels. The step between the frame slats is determined by the type, weight and dimensions of the cladding, and they themselves are installed strictly according to the level so that all their front faces lie in the same vertical plane;
• The next stage – laying and fastening the thermal insulation material between the frame guides – is performed if it is necessary to insulate the building. In this case, the windproof film is mounted on top of the insulation and fixed to the lathing slats:

Kindly take note! In order to create a ventilation gap between the insulation and the cladding, the thickness of the insulation should be less than the thickness of the frame slats. The air gap will guarantee the panels’ long service life by keeping moisture from building up underneath them.

• Now you can fasten the panels for cladding a wooden house to the frame. The installation method, depending on their type, can be hidden or open.
  Most often, decorative panels have a profile with a tongue-and-groove connection system, allowing you to hide the attachment points under the bottom of the top board.

It is advised to install non-profiled panels with an overlap, as shown in the accompanying image, to avoid gaps forming between them and the entry of dust and moisture beneath the cladding.

You can examine the installation of wooden panels in greater detail by watching the video that goes with this article.

How to make a wooden house brick

Even with regular maintenance and repair, wooden walls in homes eventually lose their aesthetic appeal, ability to insulate against heat, and protective qualities; for this reason, exterior finishing is necessary. Additionally, there are instances when the owners merely want to "change their image" by covering the log house with brick. Sadly, this isn’t always feasible because it costs a lot of money, necessitates extensive foundation preparation, and requires roof reconstruction. The thermal panel cladding of a wooden house is a great substitute.

Thermal panels with clinker tiles

This is a composite material with a front surface made of clinker tiles under a brick, the basis of which is a polymer insulation. Thanks to this combination, the panels simultaneously perform both thermal insulation and decorative functions.
They are produced by the matrix molding method: the tiles are placed face down in a mold, which is then filled with liquid insulation. When hardened, it firmly glues to the tiles and forms a monolithic product.
During the production process, fasteners for mounting the panels on the wall are also installed in the mold.
Foam plastic or polyurethane foam as an insulating base have low thermal conductivity, moisture resistance and other positive performance characteristics. And clinker tiles, in addition to their magnificent appearance, are highly durable, have low water absorption, and are resistant to fading.

By utilizing this technology, panels can be created without the need for wet labor for bricklaying, leveling the base, or adhering regular tiles. Dry installation is considerably easier, less expensive, and quicker.

Installation of thermal panels

Installing wooden panels is similar to facing a wooden house with thermal panels. That being said, extra insulation is not included in the procedure. Each panel rests on the wooden frame’s slats in three locations: in the center, at the edges, and at a distance from one another. The actual installation is completed in the order listed below:

• First, a base profile is attached to the lower horizontal mark, serving as a support for the first row;
• Then a corner panel is installed or, if there is none, two row panels are cut at an angle of 45 degrees and a corner is formed from them;

• From the corner, install the first horizontal row of thermal panels, securing them to the frame with at least six self-tapping screws, which are screwed into the seams between the tiles;

Kindly take note! Installation specifications may vary amongst manufacturers. While some advise using silicone sealant to coat the joints or using polyurethane foam to fill specific cavities, others permit installation without these materials.

• In the same way, the entire building is faced from bottom to top, forming corners in window and door openings;
• After installation is completed, the joints between the tiles are filled with a special mixture. It will hide the fastening points, protect the insulating base from atmospheric influences and give the cladding a natural look of brickwork.

Any air temperature can be used for installation. If this occurs in the winter, it’s best to use a frost-resistant grout or wait until spring to finish the seams.

The decision to use wooden panels for house cladding involves weighing durability, environmental impact, and aesthetic appeal. Wood complements a variety of architectural styles and adds a timeless, natural charm that draws attention to any home. Wood is a popular material for people who value having a connection to nature because of its warmth and texture.

Wooden panels do have certain drawbacks, though. To keep the wood safe from moisture, pests, and weathering, regular maintenance is necessary. To keep the panels looking their best, this maintenance can take a lot of time and constant effort. Furthermore, superior wood may be more expensive to install and maintain than alternative cladding materials.

For those who value its distinctive features, the advantages of wooden cladding frequently exceed the disadvantages, notwithstanding these factors. Cladding can add character to a home and offer long-lasting protection with the right maintenance and wood selection. Wooden panels are still a popular choice for homeowners looking for a stylish and natural exterior.

Wooden panels are a common option for exterior siding because of their inherent beauty, ability to insulate, and capacity to improve a home’s curb appeal. They can be environmentally friendly and add a cozy, rustic charm, but they also have drawbacks like increased maintenance requirements, moisture sensitivity, and possible expenses. For homeowners thinking about using this material for their exterior, it is imperative that they comprehend both the advantages and disadvantages.

Video on the topic

Important notes on THERMOPANELS. What happens after five years? Disappointed or satisfied?

The difference between clinker Thermal panels and cheap analogues.

What do thermal panels with clinker tiles look like after a couple of years, what to do with this house now?

Facade of a frame house: which material to choose? / 16 options for facade finishing of a house

How to sheathe a house from the outside? TOP 4 best inexpensive materials for facade finishing

REFUSE these FACADES ❗️ Rating of FACING materials from @domgroup20

How to sheathe a house from the outside? House cladding, which material to choose? All the pros and cons.