Rusticated Weatherboards

About Rusticated Weatherboards

Timber cladding provides a visually engaging, effective, and often unique way to envelop a building and protect its structure. Its versatility makes it ideal for both residential and commercial

projects, added value with a distinctive appeal, in addition to sustainability and practicality. 

Traditional rusticated cedar weatherboards are a variation of the bevel back weatherboards. Their pattern is mainly horizontal, delivering a vintage look, reminiscent of rural style originally used for enveloping sheds, barns, and various farm buildings.

Rusticated weatherboards may appear similar to bevel-back and shiplap weatherboards externally. However, they work differently and convey different aesthetics, including shiplap with a distinctive scalloped rebate designed to let the waterfall off. 

The main distinction lies in the profile - rusticated weatherboards feature different voids than bevel-back weatherboards. While the cedar profile is appreciated for its robust strength, the openings can lead to inferior performance in terms of drainage. For that reason, rusticated weatherboards are best suited for buildings that are assessed as low risk. Otherwise, they need to be installed over a minimal 20mm cavity.

Rusticated Weatherboards Application

The profiled finish of rusticated weatherboards strongly enhances the attractive natural characteristics of cedarwood, showcasing its visual advantages as a cladding material. Modern technologies enabled the creation of innovative horizontal architectural profiles, distinguished by a number of different laps and rebate details. The design diversity of finished weatherboards is suitable for many architectural styles, allowing for a range of applications.  

For that reason, rusticated weatherboard cladding is not merely the choice for cladding of rural homes. This method can today be found across different urban zones and construction types, including award-winning building designs. 

Diverse finish alternatives are available to choose from, including band sawn and dressed, followed by the range of tinted wood oils developed explicitly for cedar weatherboards. Apart from enhancing the overall performance and durability, these features support the creation of unique designs with a distinctive character. 

Rusticated Weatherboards Profile 

Traditional in its core, the rusticated profile is widely used in heritage homes, although it loses nothing of its aesthetics as a part of modern designs. Clean horizontal lines deliver a subtle look without the overlapped fashion of bevel back weatherboards. The wide, flat finish is also less prominent with its discreet shovelled top.

Timber Materials

Timber rusticated weatherboards are available in different shapes, sizes and wood species. They allow for easy installation using standard equipment. In addition, most damages can be quickly repaired using fillers and sandpaper.

On the downside, timber boards will soon turn grey and start splitting if left untreated or not properly maintained. The vertical joints are especially vulnerable to elements and will need to be treated with particular care. For that reason, wooden boards usually require a coat of primer followed by one or more coats of paint. 

Paint should be reapplied every couple of years to ensure optimal protection. If the timber is coated only with a clear sealer, it typically requires more regular maintenance.

Rusticated Weatherboards Joints

Rusticated weatherboard cladding should feature bevelled joints to allow the water to run off. The joints often come with flashing tape fastened to the back of the board, with sealant applied and optionally covered with corrosive resistant flat soakers.

Rusticated Weatherboards Maintenance

Regular maintenance is essential to ensure the best performance. Annual regular cleaning is necessary, to remove grime, dirt and organic growth. The paint coating should follow it to maximise the lifespan, good look, and other properties of the overlay. 

• Grime and dirt can be removed by brushing with a soft brush, or by gentle washing with warm water and detergent. Paint systems must be renewed with a fresh coating once every ten years - sooner if necessary - unless stated differently in the paint manufacturer’s manual. 
• Thorough annual inspections will ensure that all features of the cladding system - including the paint coating, flashings and joints - retain their top performance and weatherproof abilities. 
• Any areas showing signs of deterioration or damages need immediate reparation to prevent water intrusion. 

Things to Consider Before Buying Rusticated Weatherboards

Rusticated weatherboards are a part of an external horizontally fixed wall cladding system that can be used for encasing light commercial and residential building types.

The system often comprises directly fixed and cavity fixed options - or both.

Unless factory finished to all sides and/or sealed with adequate wood oil, each rusticated weatherboard should be painted and sealed before installation. 

Properly installed and maintained, rusticated weatherboards should be resistant to cracking, chipping, peeling, and rotting. Also, the system should be moderately immune to physical damages and termite attacks. 

If you need assistance to find the right rusticated 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.