Timber has long been a sustainable and desirable construction material. It can be cut and shaped to create unique structural details and lengths of timber cladding provide a stunning finish to architectural design. It also offers natural insulation, helping to improve energy efficiency in buildings.
Exterior Solutions Ltd specialise in the manufacture and supply of premium charred timbers. Our Shou Sugi Ban® cladding has a timeless quality, making it suitable for contemporary builds and renovation projects.
In our previous article, we shared details of a modern, single-storey, timber-clad home in Ely, featured in the current series of Grand Designs. In this article, we look at two renovation projects where our timeless charred timber cladding has been critical to the tasteful modernisation of older buildings.
Chiltern Building Designs Awards
We are delighted to hear that Samarkand, a property renovation featuring Shou Sugi Ban® charred timber cladding has won the Best Green Building in the 2021 Chiltern Building Design Awards. Congratulations to Napier Clarke architects for this achievement.
Exterior Solutions Ltd supplies charred cladding to projects across the UK and overseas, but Samarkand is a property on our doorstep. Built in the 1970s, the brick house and neighbouring garage were uninspiring.
The owners wanted a home more suited to modern living, but there were restrictions. Located in the Chilterns, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, there was no option to extend. The choice was either to demolish the property and construct a new build on the existing footprint or renovate. Buckinghamshire architects Napier Clarke proposed an inventive solution to upgrade the existing property. Their design was more sustainable and far more cost-effective than a rebuild and the results are impressive.
What was a garage covered in plastic cladding has been re-imagined. Reconfigured, with a glazed link entrance, it has transformed into a spacious open plan kitchen. Internal remodelling has ensured the home now fulfils the requirements of contemporary living. The black palate of the premium charred timber is reflected in the interior features, providing a natural connection.
What was a garage covered in plastic cladding has been re-imagined. Reconfigured, with a glazed link entrance, it has transformed into a spacious open plan kitchen. Internal remodelling has ensured the home now fulfils the requirements of contemporary living. The black palate of the timeless charred timber cladding is reflected in the interior features, providing a natural connection.
Horizontal and Vertical Cladding used on Criss Cross House
In another renovation, Ashton Porter Architects designed an inspiring way to connect a traditional farm workers cottage with an outbuilding. Located in the Hertfordshire green belt, this renovation also needed to be sensitive to its surroundings.
The solution was a timber structure, clad in horizontal and vertical Shou Sugi Ban® cladding. The blackened timbers are in keeping with the style of agricultural barns, which fits the rural setting. Coupled with glazed elements, the structure links the original buildings whilst blending into the surroundings.
Internally, the owners now have a spacious, light interior with impressive views of the countryside. It is little wonder that Criss Cross House was a finalist in the Structural Timber Awards 2020.
In both these examples, timeless charred timber cladding has blended with the existing building materials. It adds contrast without looking out of place.
Charred Cladding Range of Timbers
Painting cladding black is a means of creating the look of charred timber on a budget, so why do architects specify charred timber cladding?
Shou Sugi Ban® is a premium product is because it offers a protective process with longevity. Unlike paint, which will fade, crack and peel, charred timbers can withstand weathering. The controlled process strengthens the resilience of timber against damage without the need for regular maintenance.
With painted wood, the unique and beautiful natural grains are covered up. In contrast, charring enhances the texture and pattern, adding character to the exterior cladding.
Our charred timber cladding is offered in a range of timbers and your choice of finish. Do you favour smooth, deep grained or traditional crackled textures? If black is too heavy for your project, we have natural wood tones, along with light and coloured finishes.
FSC & PEFC Accredited UK Charred Cladding Supplier
For further details and to discuss your architectural project, please get in touch with the Exterior Solutions Ltd team on 01494 711800. We are a leading UK cladding supplier that manufactures all charred timbers in our on-site workshop.