Weathertex manufactures weatherboards and panels using sustainable new growth Australian hardwood in an ISO 9001 certified process. It is the only timber product of its kind in the world, that contains no artificial glues, silicas or binders. The Weathertex Natural range is now the first manufactured product GLOBALLY to achieve a Platinum GreenTag Certification.Â
Features and benefits:
 Types of Weathertex cladding
1. Natural Cladding
The Natural range is an unprimed board which provides a unique appearance, with the characteristics and looks of raw, undressed timber. The natural surface is pressed to create a woodgrain effect. Its rough, deep cut pattern shows all the knots, grains and imperfections of natural timber. It can be left to weather naturally or to be stained. When allowed to weather naturally, the depth of colour will vary, subject to location and sun exposure allowing for unique styles. The Natural range weatherboards and panels are covered by a 15 year warranty not to rot, split or crack. Please refer to warranty manual on downloads page.
Retain original colour
Weathertex Natural begins as a dark hardwood colour. Left uncoated it will lighten from UV. To retain the original colour boards should be stained. If the boards lighten but you want to restore them to their original colour, you can do so at any time. Clean the boards with an appropriate deck cleaner and a sturdy deck cleaning brush before staining.Â
Unsealed
Left to weather naturally by the sun, the timber will lighten and "silver" off after a period of time. This can produce some beautiful results that become a unique feature of the construction. For best results use this technique on buildings that are exposed to full sun and aren't obscured by fences, trees or awnings. Weathertex is made with Australian hardwood timber and colours may slightly vary season to season. To stop the silvering off process the boards can be stained at any time which will protect the boards from the sun, as well as allow for a range of colours and depth. Boards can be brought back to their original dark colour by first scrubbing with a deck cleaner and then applying the appropriate coloured stain.
Coatings
Weathertex Natural range can be stained and sealed in the same manner as other hardwood timbers. Firstly, wash the boards with deck cleaner and make sure they are clean and dry before staining. When staining follow the direction of the cladding to ensure each board has an even coating.Â
Coat the boards with a soft brush first before cutting in the edges. Add another coat, then cut in again. A third coat is optimal but recommended, and there is no need to cut in the edges again on the third coat. Keep a wet edge throughout to make sure visible layers aren't seen on the finished product. Stopping and staring during coating may lead to an uneven finish as the stain will dry in uneven layers.
We do not recommend a clear coat or varnish, as water based stains with pigment help protect the timber from UV. Maintenance of the stain is required to stop fading over time. Please make sure to follow all stain product instructions as they may vary. Â
2. Selflok Weatherboards
Selflok is a favourite in the family of Weathertex cladding systems. Selflok Weatherboards have the simplest self-locking system, which allows every board to self gauge. The precise routing of each board gives the product a beautiful and unique ship lapped profile that makes it the first choice for many.
Ecogroove Weatherboards from the Selflok range are increasingly popular. Ecogroove smooth is the ideal choice for a smooth-to-touch finish, where as the Selflok Ecogroove woodsman provides the distinct wood grain texture of natural timber. Both are available in varying sizes.Â
Advantages
 3. Primelok Weatherboards
The Primelok weatherboard fixing system ensures a perfect and easy alignment of the boards, reducing installation time. The overlapping of each board typical of a classic bevel back profile, conceals fixings, resulting in smooth, clean, straight lines. Primelok Weatherboards are suitable for gun nailing installation, and are supplied pre-primed as a standard feature.Â
Advantages
 4. Weathergroove Panels
Weathergroove is the largest panel available in the New Zealand market. This vertically grooved panel is ideal for covering large areas in a short time and it's versatility offers endless possibilities.
For improved performance, an exclusive joining system has been designed to clip onto the rebated edges of each panel, blending in perfectly with each Weathergroove sheet for a continuous panel finish. Please see the Weathertex installation manual for details.
Advantages
Proud and determined to promote environmental and sustainable performance measures, we have worked hard to ensure our products are third party accredited. Weathertex has been rated through the Global GreenTag program which publishes environmental performance indices based on a comprehensive material life-cycle analysis. Weathertex also takes part in product health transparency programs such as Declare labelling and GreenTag Product Health Declaration which focuses on ensuring the safety of construction materials for installers and the end users. The Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC) is an international non profit, non-governmental organization dedicated to promoting Sustainable Forest Management through independent third-party certification. The Weathertex timber supply chain is 100% PEFC Certified which ensures all harvested timber resources are procured from ethical and ecologically sustainable sources.
Primer: Weathertex factory primer is designed to be painted within 60 days of installation. Failure to do so can result in poor topcoat adhesion and will void warranty. Lightly sand any nibs or blemishes which have occurred during fixing. Sawn edges, holes and countersinks must be reprimed with high quality tanin blocking exterior primer (solvent based). A spray primer is the most efficient method. It is also good practice to prime any timber mouldings, including corner stops and trims.
Trimtec aluminium accessories are protected by an anodised coating and can be left unpainted if desired. Due to their smooth surface, aluminium accessories should be etch primed if a topcoat is to be applied.
Surface Preparation - Cleaning & Washing: Once boards are installed, clean all surfaces with a mild sugar soap solution using soft broom or lint free cloth to remove salt, dirt, dust, oils, grease and other airborne contaminates (as required by the paint manufacturer). Methylated spirit and a cloth may also be used to remove stubborn oil, grease or waxy contaminants.
Do not vigorously scrub the surface nor use corrosive cleaners as this may burnish the paint surface and mark the primer finish. Wash down with fresh water and allow to completely dry. Not allowing the board to dry before painting is a common cause of paint failure. Failure to properly prepare the surface may result in poor adhesion with topcoat and may void the paint manufacturer's warranty. Never use high pressure washers as this can cause coating or even board damage and water ingress into the wall cavity.
Painting: The primed surface of Weathertex Weatherboards and Panels are suitable for the application of exterior grade water or solvent based topcoat paint systems. It is recommended to apply selected coating to a test area to confirm suitability. If compatibility of the selected topcoat is an issue, the surface may be primed with a suitable tanin blocking exterior primer per the coating manufacturer's recommendation before painting.
In order to enhance the durability of Weathertex in the New Zealand climate, before installation and top coating, a liberal coat of solvent based undercoat must be applied to the bottom drip edges of Weathertex Weatherboard or Panel Systems. The undercoat must extend 100mm up the back of the board. When top coating, apply a minimum of two coats of paint in accordance with the paint manufacturer instructions for mixing, film build, coverage and drying between coats. Temperature and wet weather will affect curing of coatings and consideration of site conditions at the time of painting is essential to ensure proper curing and adhesion. Paint additives may adversely affect the coating adhesion and durability and should only be used with the endorsement of the coating manufacturer.
Paint Colour: Weathertex hardboard products have 50 years proven durability in the harshest of climate zones. While there is no restriction on the vast array of colours to paint your home, it is important to understand the effect paint colours can have on the performance of construction products.
As Weathertex is a timber product, its dimensions will expand and contract with changes in moisture content. Dark paint colours can allow surfaces in warmer climates to become very hot in direct sunlight leading to loss of moisture and subsequent shrinkage of the Weatherboard. Selection of light paint colours with high Light Reflectance Values (LRV) will lead to better thermal efficiency of the building, improve the maintenance cycles of paint coatings and sealants while minimising the thermal expansion and contraction of all construction components.
Maintenance: The extent and nature of maintenance will depend on the geographical location and exposure of the installation. Regularly wash the painted surface with mild soapy water to remove dirt and grime to improve the performance of the coating. Never use high pressure washers as this can cause coating damage and water ingress into the wall cavity.
Thoroughly inspect topcoat paint work at the end of year 1 and repair areas of damage/coating breakdown according to the original paint specification or approved equivalent. Repeat inspection process at year 5 and based on the results of this condition survey make a decision on future maintenance actions, which may include touch up/repair of areas or a full recoat.
Additional basic maintenance tasks include but are not limited to; controlling vegetation and garden beds close to the installation, keeping gutters and pipes clear, addressing potential moisture damage due to overflows and replacement of penetrations, flashings and sealants used in installation as required.
Generally, exterior surface coatings deteriorate by chalking rather than flaking. When repainting becomes necessary and the surface is unbroken, remove loose chalk by lightly sanding and follow the preparation steps above. Reapply new coatings in accordance with the paint manufacturer's instructions.
Timspec was established in 1990 as a wholesaler of specialty timber and was wholly New Zealand owned. In March 2019 Timspec was acquired by ITI Australia and became ITI Timspec LTD.
Today we import, export, and wholesale a huge range of timber to builders, joiners, home owners, floor layers, landscape builders and furniture manufacturers. We pride ourselves on being environmentally responsible and strive to source the most sustainable timber options available. Timber stocked includes species from North America, South America, Europe, Africa, South East Asia, Australia, and New Zealand's exotic as well as indigenous species.
The ITI Timspec team are extremely knowledgeable about the various types of timber, treatments and uses available and are happy to help you in choosing the right product for your project.