Timber Use in Architecture

A lot of architects and designers as effectively as owners alike really like the material for its exclusive character. This is the prime purpose why it is used in expressions ranging from tropical and zen simplicity to modernist articulations and versions. In Singapore architecture, there is also a great deal of curiosity in its apps.

Let's glimpse at two well-known types of used as exterior cladding - balau and chengai. The traits of each and every vary but in essence balau is more rugged whilst chennai is far more fragile.

Normally the attributes of balau vs chennai are:

Balau
1. More difficult (than chengai) - Therefore less cracks when subjected underneath sun.

2. Less 'pin-holes' - The walnut like grooves standard of natural timber

3. Darker colour

four. Cost - Standard cost is $73/ft2

Chengai
one. Softer, but much more secure - There are much more cracks when exposed to sun.

2. Far more 'pin-holes'

3. Lighter in colour

four. Price tag - Normal cost is $76/ ft2

For balau, it can also be used in lengthier lengths, this sort of as twelve to 14 feet for a normal 20-30mm thick by 70mm width duration of timber. For chennai, the lengths need to be shorter these kinds of as six-8 feet for a typical twenty-30mm by 70mm width length of timber. This is to decrease the likelihood of warping, which can arise a lot more readily underneath our tropical sun.

The presence of 'pin-holes' gives it the natural glimpse and really feel. It also permits the timber to 'breathe' so to speak. Nonetheless, due to weathering, there will be yellow/white sap that is produced over time.

The sap will cause chemical reactions with the paint or motar of exterior walls and causes weathering effects to the timber, making it appear boring and aged.

Some suppliers will advise that the timber (whether or not it is balau or chengai) need to be left in the sun to 'weather' 1st just before installation.

Sadly this does not completely remove the issue. For this reason, to further safeguard it, following it is reduce and dried in the sun, the timber is coated with a sealant (eg: Hickson coating) that helps to seal the surface. It also offers the timber a a lot more 'varnished' however all-natural woody search. The colour variations of the timber strips are preserved to a selected diploma.

It is recommended that chengai be employed for external cladding as it is lighter and probably much more stable. There is significantly less likelihood of warpage and the weathering consequences are significantly less serious. Balau timber, even with its hardness can crack over prolonged publicity to the weather. The cracks generally appear within the timber.

At the stop of the day, it is a all-natural substance. The sealant might tarnish more than time, and the sap from inside of the timber might once more surface by means of the pin-holes. So to preserve greatest top quality the sealant may well have to renewed every 12 months or so.

Therefore, primarily based on the properties, chengai is utilised much more usually in external cladding, even though balau is employed for timber trellis, or timber decking to outdoor regions. At the conclude of the day, of program price matters. The less costly substitute of balau may be utilised externally if huge quantities is needed for exterior cladding also.

An successful alternative is to use reconstituted timber. Suppliers nowadays have a enormous assortment of it, and it arrives in various colours and texture. It is commonly utilised for landscape decking, especially for condominiums as it is durable and maintains consistency about time. Recently it has been utilised at Sentosa for the decking. At the marine club One particular Diploma 15, it has been even been utilised as wall cladding.