Cladding:  Design – Build – Maintain

Design

All our Cladding designed on a 3D CAD system to ensure that minimal material wastage is achieved. The Cladding is layed out in such a fashion as to allow the best planning for construction. There are drawings produced which give us a high degree of accuracy during the build. Any challenges encountered during the build will also be easier to deal with, as the guess work of trial and error can be removed from the equation and a bespoke, safe solution can be designed and implemented. Material choices are also done on the “best engineering practices” principle. Bills of materials are generated and quoting is developed from actual quantities and not a general “per m2” price. This translates into cost savings for the client.

Build

 

The life of Cladding is directly connected to the quality of the build. At Heartwood Projects we pride ourselves in the quality and care we put into the building of the cladding. From the use of CCA treated timber for the structure to the sealing of the final cladding, all is planned for the longevity of your investment. We are also conscious of the safety of our clients, and use hot dipped galvanized brackets to build the cladding and not only “nails and screws”. Keeping water out of of our structure is paramount and Heartwood Projects use various methods to achieve this, both mechanical and chemical. The materials used in the structure are all CCA treated to H3 or H4 specifications; H3 is for outside use above ground and H4 is for ground contact. We offer the cladding materials in composite (polymer/wood fiber blend), and various hardwoods including: Red Balau, Garapa, Keruing, Massaranduba, Jatoba, etc.

Maintain

Even the best built cladding will need maintenance. Heartwood Projects suggests that cladding exposed to direct sun be sealed twice to three times per year. A yearly inspection should also be conducted to look for any areas that need attention. As your deck ages it will undergo changes. The wood will darken and if left unsealed or only sealed sporadically, will grey. Over time the cladding may also become susceptible to fungi and rot. It is important to identify these areas early and remove them. The surrounding areas must be treated with a fungicidal cleaner and must then be treated with a sealer. Well maintained cladding will ensure that you enjoy your investment for many years.