10 Reasons to Love Green Oak Cladding

Green oak (fresh sawn oak) cladding has always been the traditional choice for rural properties and outbuildings but has become increasingly popular for modern and contemporary buildings in recent years. In this blog post, we look at the benefits of oak timber and highlight our top 10 reasons for choosing fresh sawn oak cladding.

Benefits of Green Oak Cladding

When considering cladding options for your home or project, green oak stands out as a timeless and versatile choice. Known for its natural beauty and durability, it offers a unique combination of aesthetic appeal and practical benefits. 

Whether you're looking to enhance the character of a traditional property or add warmth to a modern design, green oak cladding provides an environmentally friendly and long-lasting solution. Below, we explore the key benefits that make it such a popular option for both rural and contemporary builds.

1. Natural beauty of green oak cladding

Over time, oak’s honey-brown colouring will weather to a soft silvery-grey and small splits and cracks may appear.  This gradual, natural aging process results in the building developing a unique character and charm.

When used as cladding, it creates a timeless aesthetic that enhances the architectural features of any structure, blending effortlessly into rural landscapes or providing a strikingly organic contrast in urban settings. Its adaptability makes green oak cladding an excellent choice for a wide range of projects, from traditional barns to modern extensions. See photos of our green oak cladding here in some of our projects to see its transformative impact.

Fresh sawn (green oak) cladding is naturally beautiful and authentic.

2. Green oak cladding is sustainably sourced

As timber is renewable, recyclable and biodegradable, it is a more sustainable option than many other building materials, such as brick, concrete and plastic. When shopping for green oak cladding online, it’s important to research the sustainability practices of your chosen supplier. Look for certifications like FSC or PEFC, which ensure the timber has been responsibly sourced from well-managed forests. Choosing a supplier with strong environmental commitments not only supports sustainable forestry but also guarantees a high-quality product that aligns with eco-conscious values.

At WL West Timber, all our oak is sourced from legal, well-managed woodlands in France. WL West are committed to sourcing timber sustainably and have FSC and PEFC Chain of Custody certification. We are members of Timber Development UK (TDUK) and adhere to their Responsible Purchasing Policy. 

3. Fresh sawn oak cladding has a low carbon footprint

As our green oak cladding is sourced from France, transport miles are significantly lower compared to materials like Canadian Western Red Cedar. By choosing British or European  timber, the carbon footprint associated with transportation is reduced, making it a more environmentally responsible choice for your project.

Further, green oak cladding is used in its unseasoned state, which eliminates the need for energy-intensive kiln drying and further reduces energy consumption. Compared to heavily processed cladding materials like uPVC, metal, and tile, green oak cladding boasts a much lower embodied carbon, making it one of the most sustainable options available.

4. It has excellent longevity

European Oak is a dense and heavy timber, known for its strength and durability, making it an excellent choice for external cladding. It has a natural resistance to decay and insect attack and can withstand harsh weather conditions. The expected life for our green oak cladding is 30 to 60 years!

Installing green oak (fresh sawn) cladding.

5. Fresh sawn oak cladding is low maintenance

Green oak cladding is incredibly low-maintenance, requiring no chemical treatment either before or after installation. Unlike many other materials, it does not need to be painted, stained, or sealed, as its natural properties provide excellent resistance to decay and weathering. Over time, green oak weathers beautifully to a silvery-grey finish without any intervention, allowing it to develop a natural patina that adds to its charm. Maintenance is limited to occasional cleaning to remove surface dirt or debris, ensuring it continues to look its best with minimal effort. 

This low-maintenance quality makes green oak cladding an ideal choice for homeowners and project managers seeking a durable, hassle-free solution for exterior cladding.

6. Insulating & acoustic properties

Fresh sawn oak cladding is not only visually striking but also highly practical, offering excellent thermal insulation and acoustic properties. The installation of green oak cladding can help to regulate indoor temperatures, due to its natural density, keeping spaces cooler in summer and warmer in winter, which can reduce energy usage. 

Additionally, it effectively absorbs external noise, mitigating the impact of noise pollution and creating a more comfortable environment. This combination of beauty and functionality makes fresh sawn oak cladding a smart choice for any building project.

7. Green oak cladding is cost-effective

Although fresh sawn oak is generally more expensive than softwoods such as western red cedar or douglas fir, its durability makes it a worthwhile investment. 

Compared to air or kiln-dried oak, green oak is usually a more affordable option, perfect for those seeking the beauty and strength of oak for their exterior timber cladding, without the premium price.

Green oak timber cladding is a cost-effective choice when choosing timber cladding for your next project.

8. It is easy to install

Green oak is easier to work with and install than air or kiln-dried oak because it’s softer, easier to cut, and more pliable. This ease of handling allows for quicker and more efficient installation, making it an ideal choice for both professional builders and DIY enthusiasts. 

When it comes to installing timber cladding, there are a few tips and steps that we often share with cladding installers to ensure they achieve the perfect finish. Read more on how to install timber cladding in our extensive blog here. 

9. Fresh sawn oak is breathable

As oak is a breathable and permeable material, it allows moisture to escape from the building. This helps to prevent issues like mould that can arise from trapped moisture in non-breathable materials, such as uPVC cladding. 

For green oak cladding, this breathability is especially beneficial, as it ensures the timber remains stable while maintaining the health and integrity of the building’s structure over time.

10. It is versatile

Suits a number of sawn profiles, such as feather-edge, waney-edge and square-edge. At WL West Timber we have standard profiles but are also able to machine bespoke profiles to meet your specific requirements. Find out more about our cladding profile options here.

Shop green oak cladding UK

If you are looking for an attractive, sustainable, long-lasting and low-maintenance exterior cladding material, then put green oak at the top of your list!

If you have an upcoming oak cladding project which you need to source timber for, visit our Oak Cladding webpage for more information. Alternatively, you can contact us via our web enquiry form. We’re here to help!