The timber cladding sustainably grown in New Zealand
Written by
22 October 2023
•
4 min read
For more than a quarter of a century, from the sustainably harvested South Island plantation pine forests via a factory in Greymouth, to processing facilities in Tokoroa, then Matamata, then Cambridge, and now Hamilton, Triclad has had an eye to the future.
Materially, it starts with the planting of radiata pine, which captures and retains carbon, preventing it from entering the atmosphere. From there, Triclad’s Paul NcInally says a variety of measures have been implemented to produce a cohesive range of zero carbon, FSC-approved timber cladding options all fully certified under BRANZ.
"The entire process has practically zero waste," says Paul. "From burning the wood chip as a biofuel to run the plant, to turning the core of the wood into dunnage for packaging, we do everything conceivable to ensure we are treading very lightly on the landscape.
"Once we receive the plywood sheets, our process of creating our range of goods mirrors our dedication to reducing waste by reusing the off-cuts as fillets and cutting the rest into usable pieces."
Made of the very place it was designed to inhabit, Paul says the Enduroclad system aims for a different look to traditional New Zealand board and batten. Innovation has delivered a square-edged, light, easy-to-install range of 12.5m thick sheets that are 1198mm wide and cover up to eight square metres.
“The benefits are unique as we are able to create a band-sawn plywood sheet larger than the standard 2.4x2.7m boards available on the market without the need for a ‘Z’ flashing.
“This speeds up the installation time and creates a continuous panel on the wall.” Paul stresses the importance of band-sawn timber in producing a product that highlights each and every grain of radiata to achieve a natural wood look that long outlasts the application of acrylic paint.
The desired effect, whether used on a barn-style, renovation or bach build, is a timeless blending of modernity and tradition through the thoughtful pairing of contemporary materials.
“That's the key element along with environmental sustainability - it looks great in any setting. It opens up so many possibilities, from beautiful feature walls to stunning contrasts with modern materials; the imagination of the architect is what makes it great.”
A Tamahere home, completed in 2020, provides the perfect case in point. The owner requested a natural timber look without a coloured paint, so Triclad worked with its suppliers to create a custom clear acrylic coat.
“We couldn’t be sure of the future effects to aesthetics or stability and definitely didn’t recommend it, but the owner was aware of the ongoing maintenance required. To see the outcome so far has been worth it - the home still looks fantastic three years later.”
The Enduroclad range is supplemented by classic weatherboard and fascia alternatives intended to add a touch of versatility and architectural class to any space. Triclad Lapped Weatherboards, available in 4.8m lengths and at a thickness of either 12.5mm or 17.5mm, double as fascia with 9mm capillary (weather) grooves built into the back face, while Bandsawn Bevel Back, Rusticated and Vertical Shiplap varieties, featuring seamlessly incorporated finger-jointed weatherboards, allow the end user options for the application of darker colours in the pursuit of a timeless, traditional look. Exceptions exist for colours with a Light Reflective Value (LRV) of greater than 45%, with darker colours best avoided to keep maintenance to a minimum.
Since relocating from Cambridge to Hamilton Lake five years ago, Triclad has expanded rapidly. Paul says significant investment is helping diversify the business to meet increasing demand. “We are currently in the process of purchasing a new paint machine from the Netherlands which will bring more opportunities to create a better coverage of the products prior to shipping and help to speed up the process, reducing lead times during busy periods of the year.
“It’ll also allow us to paint third-party products such as doors and architraves.”
Available nationwide through a wide variety of building merchants, Triclad's range has lent natural rustic charm to new builds spanning well-known showhomes to a Grand Designs’ featured Slipper Island getaway.
The number of available options can make choosing cladding seem daunting, but Paul says the Triclad team is happy to answer questions and offer support to the homeowner at any point of the process.
“Typically, we suggest what’s best for your environment, in every conceivable way. The goal is to return the raw materials to the landscape as sustainably as possible through the creation of timeless Kiwi exterior cladding, designed to last."