British Sweet Chestnut Cladding

Sweet chestnut cladding from Vastern Timber

• British sweet chestnut
• Fagaceae astanea sativa
• Legal and well-managed forests in England
• Supplied by Vastern Timber (sales@vastern.co.uk)
• Grade: Grade BS1186-3 1990 Class 2 / EN942:2007 J30
• Random lengths 1.8mt – 3.6mt +, allowing small % down to 1.5mt Or Jointed at 4.0mt allowing for a small % of cutbacks
• Available in all machined profiles
• Supplied dried to 16 – 20%
• Durability EN350-2 Moderately Durable. Class 2
• Supplied uncoated. No treatment required.

Click here for NBS style content

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. Boards may contain up to ten joints.

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 sweet chestnut cladding
Pre-drill and fix boards with stainless steel nails or trim head screws through the face or through the tongue of suitable profiles. Pilot drill to avoid splitting the wood.

Create a 2mm expansion gap between following boards.

For more information, visit the resource centre

Recommended battens for sweet chestnut cladding
Profiled Thermowood or treated softwood battens are recommended for use behind sweet chestnut cladding.

The minimum thickness of primary battens should be 40mm. Horizontal battens to have an angled top face to shed water.

Find out more about our Thermowood batten system

Batten spacing for external timber cladding
400 – 500mm

Fixings for sweet chestnut cladding
Only use stainless steel fixings for external cladding.

For fixing sweet chestnut cladding we recommend 50mm ring shank nails or trim head screws for face fixing and 40mm for hidden fixing through the tongue.

When to fix sweet chestnut cladding
Sweet chestnut is a relatively stable timber and can be installed year round.

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.