Siberian Larch Cladding: Why We Use It

Cladding is the first thing anyone notices and the last thing most quotes explain. Siberian larch is our usual recommendation for garden rooms because it balances durability, cost and appearance better than most alternatives - but it behaves in ways you should expect before you choose it.

Why larch

• Slow-grown, dense and naturally durable without chemical treatment
• Stable enough for tight, consistent shadow gaps
• Takes a vertical or horizontal profile equally well
• Ages to a soft silver-grey rather than blotching

It will silver, and that is the point

Left untreated, larch turns from honey to silver-grey over roughly one to three years, faster on the sun-exposed elevations. This is not decay - the timber underneath is unaffected. If you want it to stay golden, budget for oiling every year or two, permanently. Most clients let it silver, and it settles beautifully against green planting and stone.

Fixings and detailing

Use stainless fixings; standard steel bleeds rust stains down the face within a season. Fix over a drained and ventilated cavity so both faces of every board can dry. Detail the base with a clear gap above the ground and a drip so splashback does not wick up. Corners, reveals and the junction with the roof are where good and bad installations separate.

How it compares

• Western red cedar - lighter, more stable, softer, and more expensive; silvers similarly
• Thermowood - very stable and consistent, slightly flatter in colour
• Sweet chestnut - beautifully characterful and durable, our choice for hand-cut pergolas and traditional joinery
• Charred timber - dramatic, low maintenance, and best suited to contemporary buildings

There is no single correct answer. There is a correct answer for your house, your garden and how much maintenance you genuinely want to take on - which is the conversation we have at the design stage.