Shiplap Weatherboards

About Shiplap Weatherboards

Timber cladding is a traditional building encasing system, available in a variety of profiles and timber species in New Zealand. The boards can be installed vertically, horizontally, and even diagonal. 

The main characteristic of shiplap weatherboards is the precisely cut joints. Simple interlocking pieces support each other, creating a sturdy system in which every adjacent board neatly overlaps with the other. The seal formed from the profile is strong enough to provide excellent protection from the weather elements. At the same time, the structure allows for a certain level of expansion and contractions unavoidable in changing climates.

Shiplap weatherboards are typically more expensive in New Zealand than overlap or board and batten cladding but feature excellent properties and attractive appearance. 

Application of Shiplap Weatherboards

The shiplap name comes from cladding used in ships, renowned for its weatherproofness in the open seas. The system gained popularity as a material for sheds, summerhouses and cabins in New Zealand before its properties made it a material of choice in urban architectural design.

Shiplap weatherboard cladding makes a perfect combination of a fashionable appearance and rural charm. Its organic nature is perfectly suited to a variety of uses. Apart from aesthetical value, vertical shiplap cladding comes with a range of functional advantages.

Advantages of Shiplap Weatherboards 

• Speed of installation: One of the vital shiplap cladding benefits allows projects to progress fast in New Zealand without excessive labour costs. 
• Versatility: Shiplap cladding is suited to a multitude of architectural designs.
• Weather protection: Adequately installed, shiplap offers protection from water penetration, offering excellent insulation properties against the wind, sun, and cold. 
• Excellent performance in humid conditions: Moderately loose fit is beneficial in changing climates like New Zealand, allowing the wood to expand and contract with shifting humidity.
• Sustainability and environment-friendliness: Responsibly sourced shiplap weatherboards are sustainable, featuring high environmental credentials.
• Creative freedom:  Combining wood with new technologies allows for the creation of the most intricate designs and shapes.
• Cost-effectiveness: Shiplap cladding is often one of the more affordable options in the class of tongue and groove profiles.
• Stability and strength: Typically, these systems are composed of high-density softwood. Slow grown and kiln-dried, it provides exceptional strength and stability.

Type of Wood

Shiplap cladding can be made from a range of wood species in New Zealand, making it easy to find the one suited for the specific project. It’s best to use durable timber species with rating 1-3, where one represents the most durable species, and three marks the medium range. An alternative option can be composite cladding.

• Western red cedar, European oak and larch, and Douglas fir belong to the most popular timber species for cladding in New Zealand. The reasons are many, starting from their natural resistance to moisture and insects. Another important fact is that they typically require no preserving treatments, making the cladding easier to maintain. 
• Fir, spruce, or pine shiplap cladding is also widely used but needs impregnation for moisture protection and improved fire resistance. 
• Softwood cladding is the most affordable. However, taking the high maintenance requirements into account, it is not necessarily the most cost-effective option in the long run. Softwood needs regular painting and staining to remain in good shape. Without proper protection, these species deteriorate quickly. 
• The Siberian larch belongs to the hardest commercial softwoods available in New Zealand with excellent properties. Its damage resistance makes it an excellent choice for use in public areas with high traffic and risks of damage, such as schools.

Shiplap Weatherboards Care and Maintenance

Discolouration is one of the main reasons for replacing weatherboards in New Zealand. It unavoidably happens to timber over time; however, build-up of dirt and mildew can speed up the process. For that reason, any stain should be removed as soon as noticed. Regular cleaning and washing with warm soapy water is an efficient prevention method that will keep the cladding looking as good as new for a long time. 

Another common issue is rust. It occurs when the metal parts of the cladding system are continually exposed to moisture. This type of stain is prominent and quite unsightly, leaving trails of brown-red colour on the walls. 

Rust stains typically can’t be cleaned by washing and require treatment with specialised products. Painting and protecting metal elements will prevent, or at least delay rusting. It is best to be done before installation, if possible. 

It’s good to keep all foliage away to prevent it from touching the cladding. Scratches and similar damages can leave the timber exposed to moisture, causing it to deteriorate over time. Leaving some space between the structure and surrounding greenery will help to avoid such risks.  

Damaged vertical shiplap cladding typically requires replacement, unless the damage is minimal and can be fixed locally. 

Things to Consider Before Buying 

Wooden shiplap cladding is vulnerable to moisture absorption, thermal movement, and face splitting. All timber weatherboards in New Zealand feature a certain degree of absorbency, depending on species and surface finish. Some timbers used for weatherboards need treatments for increased durability. 

Shiplap weatherboards can be installed either over an absorbent or non-absorbent wall underlay.

It’s strongly recommended to use correct nails for installation, suited to the thickness of the board. Corrosion-resistant materials such as stainless steel are best to use in humid areas, as they will eliminate the risk of rust stains on the facade. 

Correct installation of shiplap cladding requires a levelled starting board. When the first board is entirely straight, it serves as the guide for the next ones, determining the structure of the entire wall in the end.

If you need assistance to find the right shiplap weatherboards for your home or office, ArchiPro provides a connection to the various professionals in New Zealand, 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.