Timber cladding supplies in Melbourne, from hardwood shiplap to pine weatherboards and thermally modified boards. We help with species choice and quantities.
Timber cladding covers a building’s exterior walls in boards, giving weather protection and a natural finish that suits everything from period homes to modern extensions. At our Watsonia yard we carry hardwood shiplap, H3 treated pine, IronAsh and Thermory, so you can compare species side by side. This page walks through what we stock, how the species differ, and how to get timber cladding delivered anywhere in Melbourne.
Cladding can be made from softwoods like pine or hardwoods like spotted gum, and installed as horizontal or vertical boards, shingles or panels. The profile and species you pick change the look, the upkeep and, in bushfire areas, what you’re allowed to use.
| Timber | Durability class | Seasoned density | Termite resistant |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spotted Gum | 1 | 990 kg/m³ | Yes |
| Blackbutt | 2 | 900 kg/m³ | Yes |
| Silvertop Ash | 2 | 850 kg/m³ | No |
| IronAsh (H3 treated Tasmanian Oak) | Treated to H3 | 660 kg/m³ | Treated for insect attack |
Durability classes come from WoodSolutions and apply to heartwood. Class 1 timber is rated for more than 40 years above ground, and Class 2 for 15 to 40 years. Sapwood in every species is non-durable and needs preservative treatment for exposed use.
Treated pine is a different approach. H3 is the treatment hazard class for timber used outside, above ground, where it gets wet and dries again, and decking, cladding and fascia are its typical uses under AS 1604. Primed H3 pine suits a painted weatherboard look.
Want a natural hardwood look that lasts? Spotted gum is the most durable of our shiplap species. Prefer a paler board you can stain or paint any colour? IronAsh is Tasmanian Oak with a water-based H3 treatment that doesn’t change the timber’s colour, and its Tru-Core treatment carries a warranty of up to 25 years against decay and insect attack. For the lowest upkeep in real wood, Thermory thermally modified cladding can be left to weather silver-grey.
In bushfire-prone areas, check your BAL before choosing. WoodSolutions lists spotted gum, blackbutt and silvertop ash for BAL-12.5, 19 and 29 applications, with thickness conditions, and IronAsh at BAL-19 (higher in proprietary systems). Our view: for a full re-clad in a BAL-29 zone, we’d start with spotted gum or blackbutt, which are both listed for that level and, unlike silvertop ash, both termite resistant.
More detail on each hardwood is on our Australian hardwood exterior cladding page. If you’re open to a non-timber option, compare composite cladding or read is wood or composite cladding better.
Hardwood cladding left unfinished will weather and change colour over time. If you want to hold its original tone, plan to recoat with a suitable exterior oil or stain. Spotted gum is one of the easier hardwoods to finish, as WoodSolutions notes it’s less prone to tannin bleed than other Australian hardwoods. Primed pine weatherboards should be top-coated with exterior paint.
Cladding boards are delivered by our own trucks from the Watsonia yard to all suburbs across Melbourne, 6 days a week, from a trailer load to a semi load, usually within 2 days. You can also collect from 58 Watsonia Road. Send us your plans and we’ll work out quantities, or request a timber cladding quote online. Call (03) 9435 2555 for a delivery price. Browse more timber supplies in Melbourne while you’re here.
Of our shiplap species, spotted gum has the highest natural durability rating, Class 1.
Yes. Primed H3 pine is made for painting, and IronAsh can be stained or painted on site.
Yes. Send us your plans and we’ll do the take-off. Species data is on WoodSolutions’ natural durability ratings page and ASH’s IronAsh product page.
