The Timber Decking Association (TDA) is hoping to translate its deck expertise into wood cladding in a new joint campaign being planned with wood for good.
The initiative, which will see the TDA develop a code of practice and quality assurance scheme for wood cladding, is hoped to be launched at the end o f the summer.
Many TDA members which are also major cladding suppliers, including John Brash, Timbmet and Howarth Timber, are backing the move. Coatings manufacturers such as ICI and Sikkens are also keen.
TDA director Steve Young said members had felt “for some time” there was a job to be done on cladding as there had been on decking, with the TDA viewed as the best model.
This includes raising awareness with the specifier about what materials are available, installation and aftercare. Plans include a version of the TDA’s DeckMark quality assurance standard, with a working title of CladMark.
“The message about wood being the green building material is getting home now and specifiers are turning to wood,” said Mr Young.
“Exterior wood cladding seems to be fitting in with modern construction methods. But, like decking, it has to be properly used.”
He said the TDA could provide architects with independent advice on cladding and access to sources of quality assured products.
Mr Young said the extension into cladding and other assembled structures may lead to a change in the way the Timber Decking Association brands itself.
Wood for good managing director Charles Trevor said he was hopeful that the wood for good board would approve a “significant” budget at its June meeting to help fund the initiative. He said the idea was for wood for good to be responsible for promotion.
“We are aware there is a lot of wood cladding being used in the UK and we want to ensure it is being used, installed and maintained correctly, as well as expand the market,” he said.
Major cladding supplier John Brash has said it strongly supported the new cladding venture.
“The TDA and wood for good have already helped raise awareness of timber as a material and decking specifically,” said managing director Chrisitian Brash.
“It can only be a good thing for the industry if we can establish similar standards as the DeckMark QA scheme for cladding. As the market for timber cladding continues to grow, we look forward to the launch of these initiatives later this year.”
