Weatherboards are profiled wooden planks for cladding, with a tapered edge so they overlap and form a watertight facade. The difference from board-on-board cladding: weatherboards have a profile (thinner at the top, thicker at the bottom) which makes the overlap narrower and neater.
Profile
A weatherboard is thinner at the top and thicker at the bottom:
- The next plank overlaps the thin top edge of the previous one
- The result: a sleek, slightly angled facade that sheds water effectively
- The overlap is approximately 10-15 mm
Types of weatherboards
| Type | Profile | Appearance |
|---|---|---|
| Tapered weatherboard | Tapered cross-section | Classic, most common |
| Swedish featheredge | With a groove at the top | Scandinavian style |
| Channel siding | Board with a wide channel | American/modern |
Wood species
| Wood species | Outdoor lifespan | Colour |
|---|---|---|
| Douglas fir | 15-20 years | Red-brown to silver-grey |
| Larch | 15-20 years | Yellow-brown to silver-grey |
| Thermowood | 20+ years | Dark brown to silver-grey |
| Western Red Cedar | 25+ years | Red-brown to silver-grey |
| Pressure-treated spruce | 10-15 years | Greenish to grey |
Installation
1. Battens — Vertical battens (50×50 mm) on the wall, 60 cm c/c
2. Ventilation gap — The battening automatically creates an air layer
3. First board — At the bottom, at least 3 cm above ground level
4. Build up overlapping — Each board overlaps the previous one by 10-15 mm
5. Fixing — Stainless steel screws through the thick part of the board
Weatherboards vs. board-on-board
| Weatherboards | Board-on-board | |
|---|---|---|
| Profile | Yes (tapered edge) | No (flat board) |
| Overlap | Small (10-15 mm) | Large (20-30 mm) |
| Appearance | Sleek, modern | Robust, rustic |
| Timber use | Less | More |
Related terms
- Weatherboard
- Board-on-board cladding
- Swedish featheredge
- Douglas fir
- Battens