Bevel Back Weatherboards

About Bevel Back Weatherboards

Timber cladding boasts strong shadow lines and unique overall aesthetics. Using bevel back weatherboards for home cladding is a staple of New Zealand vernacular, great looking, weather-tight, natural, healthy, and long-lasting. 

Bevel back weatherboards are distinguished by a striking horizontal line and are often considered the most robust type around. In harsh climate conditions, they have proven to be the best performing timber cladding option, with exceptional durability and weather-tightness.

Timber bevel back weatherboards are available in several quality grades, made of different wood species and usually primed with two coatings of paint with the ultimate finish. Typical materials include Western Red Cedar, Accoya, and Radiata Pine. Boards can be short or long with fewer joins, ideal for long walls. Modern bevel back weatherboard versions also include other materials than wood, such as fibre cement, aluminium, and PVC.

Advantages of Using Bevel Back Weatherboards

• Durability
• Aesthetics
• Lightweight yet strong solution 
• Weather-resistance
• Ease of maintenance
• Quick repairing 
• Exceptional thermal insulation properties 
• Wooden weatherboards are natural and renewable

Bevel-back weatherboards are a well-ventilated cladding system. The air penetrates the construction at the laps and travels within the voids created by the board laps at the backs. If any water enters the structure, it can be drained down the back of the boards or be dried by the circulating air. These points make the bevel back weatherboards a robust cladding system with excellent weather-tight performance.

Bevel Back Weatherboard Cladding Applications

Timber bevel back weatherboards are excellent for residential use and cladding the outside of the houses. They are quick and easy to install, and can be attached to all kinds of substrates, including brick and fibre cement.  

It’s possible to clad the entire building using weatherboards, but they will also look good in combination with other building materials - especially with stone, brick, and wall render. The boards are typically available in many different profiles to suit diverse wall sizes and design styles.  

Types of Bevel Back Weatherboards

Traditional bevel back weatherboards are made of wood, but modern technologies made them available in various materials, each with its own set of advantages. 

Timber

Timber cuts are affordable and locally available, easy to install and repair using sandpaper and fillers. Their main disadvantage is the high level of maintenance required. Occasional renewal with a coat of primer accompanied by a coat of paint is highly advised, and all joints need to be inspected thoroughly. 

Metal

Aluminium and steel sheets can be rolled to resemble weatherboards and coloured with paint. They work well in hot climates, absorbing thermal expansion and contraction.

Fibre Cement

Fibre cement is a sturdy compound made from cement and cellulose fibre. It is durable, weather-resistant, and easy to paint. Occasional re-painting is advised. 

Vinyl

Vinyl is light, durable, and UV-resistant. These modern bevel back weatherboards are coloured throughout, eliminating the need for frequent re-painting. They are also low-maintenance and easy to cut and drill. Combined with styrofoam, they provide additional insulation.

Composite Timber

Composite timber bevel back weatherboards are similar to composite decking - UV and weather-resistant, and quite durable. Their structure typically consists of cellulose fibres held together by a synthetic resin. Composite boards usually require no paint but might need re-sealing.

Maintenance

Depending on the material, all types of bevel back weatherboards require some level of maintenance. Timber is the most demanding material that needs frequent re-staining, re-painting, or re-sealing. 

Fibre cement weatherboards require less maintenance than timber, but more than vinyl. Proper preservation keeps them resistant to rotting, moisture, termites, and fire.

Vinyl weatherboards feature the lowest maintenance requirements. They are often made to mimic natural timber, without the hassle commonly associated with wooden exterior products. They need only periodic washing with a mild detergent and water.  

Timber Weatherboard Grades

• Finger-jointed: Often made from pine, finger-jointed products have knots and imperfections removed. Timber is precisely cut into pieces, and each joint is then glued in place, resulting in a product with superior stability and strength. 
• Dressing grade: This type of high-grade weatherboard is recognized by tight knots and other natural characteristics. 
• Solid clears:  The timber is mostly clear, although minor imperfections are possible. It’s factory primed, treated, and available in several different lengths.

Things to Consider Before Buying Bevel Back Weatherboards

Resin bleed can happen on new timber, and it can radiate through paint. It should be left to bleed out naturally, taking up to two years. After that, the area should be sanded back to bare timber, primed, layered with an undercoat and re-painted, preferably with lighter shades. 

Continuous dampness or incorrect timber treatment level can lead to rotting. Prolonged exposure to moisture can also lead to the opening of joints or paint failure. Depending on the damage levels, the boards can be repaired or replaced. 

Timber movement, double nailing, and unprimed board backs may be the culprits of timber splitting and cupping. The boards can be repaired with a single line of nails, or replaced if the damage is severe. 

If you need assistance to find the right bevel back weatherboards for your home or office, ArchiPro provides a connection to the various professionals, ready to assist with all requirements and questions. Simply click "Contact supplier" on the product's page, or visit the supplier's website directly from the product's page.