SUPPORT SERVICES
‘The Complete Package’ is neatly wrapped by support services
built on over 60 years industry experience and based on a
combination of family values, targeted ambition, international
reputation and balanced foresight.
Brooks Bros’ passion for timber shows in all facets of its
approach: from responsible sourcing of timbers, state-of-the-art
sawmill, finishing and warehouse facilities and technical support.


customer support
Timber cladding has become a very detailed subject. Over recent
years more and more product regulatory, standard and environmental
requirements have been brought in to play. To help guide designers,
specifiers and contractors through all aspects of a project Brooks
Bros’ team of cladding specialists will guide you through all latest
developments.
In the first instance, and the earlier in the process the better, please
contact your usual local sales office.
1 Selection of Species: Should be based mainly on the aesthetic
requirement (colour, grain, knot content etc), then durability (service
life based on the various standards BSEN350, EN335 and BS8417)
and finally cost. A Brooks Bros team member can talk you through
every aspect. Obtaining an actual sample, in order to appreciate the
wood prior to specifying or ordering, is always essential.
2 Profile: Should be based on aesthetics, vertical or horizontal fixing
and installation. It’s important to ensure all coated, factory finished
profiles have radii on exposed edges. Could it be secret fixed?
3 Detailing: This is key to ensuring good flow of moisture and air in
the completed construction. The effect of other agents such as rain
and wind are also important, for example it is important to understand
that extractive can leach onto other materials and not only discolour
the other materials but corrode metals.
4 Delivery and Handling: Ensure all cladding is securely packaged,
for example all factory coated cladding needs to have separating
membranes in between the layers to avoid cladding sticking together,
and on delivery ensure that all the cladding is allowed to acclimatise
(allow airflow between the boards). It is important that boards are
not stored in direct sunlight as there is a risk of distortion and splitting.
5 Installation: Have you allowed for breather membranes (BBA
approved), insect mesh, treated battens (UC3 BS EN335) and have
the battens been treated at any cut ends? Always face fix unless you are using secret fix clips and ensure appropriate stainless fixings are
used and sufficient gaps for ventilation and differential movement
have been allowed for.
Brooks Bros advise that, “When considering timber as the cladding
material it should be remembered that each species features its own
very distinctive and natural variations in colour. Not all trees produce
boards of the same length and trees grow branches that result in
knots (lots or few per specie). Timber is a natural product and it will
move so expect some surface checking and splitting especially on
elevations in direct sunlight. Just a few key aspects that need to be
considered: that the Brooks Bros team can talk you through. Here are
a few more things that need considering when choosing timber as
your cladding choice.”
6 Maintenance: Coatings and factory-finished cladding need a regular
maintenance cycle - dependent on species and selected coating brand
a minimum one-year maintenance cycle is always recommended.
7 Weathering and Discolourations of Cladding: This happens
through a combination of factors (moisture, sunlight, microorganisms
and extractive/metal staining). Some is inevitable especially if the
cladding is to be left to weather to its natural silver/grey colour.
You need to be aware that different timbers can perform differently.
8 BM TRADA External Timber Cladding Manual:
This is a detailed publication that contains guidance
on all aspects of timber cladding, including: the
applications and types of timber cladding,
commonly used species, timber selection, detailed
design updates, storage, installing and maintenance.
Brooks Bros offer customers an opportunity to
purchase copies at a discounted rate. Please ask
for details.
9 Be Properly Prepared: To further help in preparing properly here is
a simple checklist of what needs to be considered