Sweet chestnut is similar in appearance to oak, although its colour is more consistent and it has the advantage of being more stable and lighter. Being naturally durable sweet chestnut is well suited to external cladding.
Style
Traditional
Profiles
All machined profiles
Source
English woodlands
Beware
Tannin
British Sweet Chestnut Cladding
British Sweet Chestnut Cladding
Sweet chestnut cladding from Vastern Timber
Appearance
Sweet chestnut is a relatively consistent light straw colour with occasional brown mineral streaks. Chestnut cladding boards will contain small pin knots and occasional tight knots up to 30mm.
Finger-jointed boards will include noticeable zigzag joints at intervals of 400 to 900mm.
Weathering
As the sweet chestnut boards naturally weather, the colour will change to a silver-grey. On shaded elevations or in areas of higher pollution the sweet chestnut may blacken. In semi-shaded areas such as under eaves, the exuding tannin may leave unsightly stains.
Desired service life
Occasionally wet 60 yrs. Frequently wet 30 yrs.
Movement class
Low
Resistance to impact
Medium
Working properties
Good workability (easier than oak). Takes fixings well.
Density
540 – 650 Kg / m3
Extractives
Sweet chestnut contains tannic acid, which will corrode ferrous metals. All fixings used in conjunction with sweet chestnut should be stainless steel. Tannic acid can leave unsightly brown stains on the surface of the cladding and will stain any porous materials below the cladding. The reactivity of tannin makes sweet chestnut cladding unsuitable for polluted areas and shaded areas.
How to fix
Hand nail with stainless steel nails through the face or through the tongue on suitable profiles.
For more information, visit our resource centre
Batten type
Treated softwood.
35mm thick x 50mm wide for sawn profiles
Batten spacing
400 – 600mm
Nail type
Stainless steel only. 50mm ring shank stainless steel nails for hand nailing. Trim head stainless steel screws are also suitable.
When to fix
Ideally autumn and winter months. Avoid hottest months.
Resistance to fixing
Medium
We machine timber cladding to the profile of your choice. View our full range of cladding profiles.
We recommend the following profiles for Sweet chestnut cladding.
While the utmost care has been taken to provide accurate information, Vastern Timber shall not be held responsible for any consequences arising from any errors or omissions on this website nor for any damages resulting from the use of the information.