English Green Oak Waney Edge Cladding

Yes. Oak is durable, strong, and naturally resistant to decay and insect damage, making it ideal for long-lasting cladding. Our Oak Cladding boards are sourced from English woodlands, providing a sustainable and native product in which to clad your building. 

Green Oak cladding will naturally weather to a silver-grey patina. However, UV oils or stains can be applied if you want to preserve the original colour. 

Typically, it’s fixed to battens ensuring ventilation gaps and often installed over weatherproof membranes. Battens should ideally be spaced at 400–500 mm centres.

As Oak will expand and contract with humidity and seasonal changes, its important leave expansion gaps (3–5 mm) between boards lengths. To help compensate for shrinkage and expansion, you could create oval holes (or slots) for fixings to allow some lateral movement. Using two fixings per board width is recommended to help reduce cupping, especially on wide boards.

We recommend using 4–5 mm diameter stainless steel wood screws and drilling pilot holes to avoid splitting the oak cladding boards, especially near ends. You may wish to countersink your screws if you plan to leave them exposed. 

Yes, especially for external applications. A breathable membrane and battens are used to create a ventilated cavity over the insulation. 

For external oak cladding, stainless steel fixings (A2 or A4 grade) are essential. Oak contains tannins that can react with iron-based metals, leading to black staining and corrosion. Stainless steel avoids this issue and offers durability.

Best Fixings: Stainless steel screws are preferred for structural security, removability, and precision. We recommend using 4-5mm diameter wood screws and drilling pilot holes to avoid oak boards splitting, especially near ends.

Alternatives: Stainless steel annular ring nails may be used for a cleaner aesthetic or in traditional applications, especially in hidden fixing. Pneumatic nail guns are often used for speed, however you must be careful not to split the oak cladding boards.

Avoid: Galvanized, zinc-coated, or mild steel fixings as they will corrode and stain oak. 

With correct installation and ventilation, oak cladding can last 25–50 years or more.