We recover beautiful, vintage structural timbers to make indoor & outdoor cladding.
These Australian hardwood timbers were previously hidden away in the bones of old buildings - before being salvaged and delivered to our workshop to be re-sawn and milled into indoor & outdoor cladding boards.
The surface of the cladding boards can be left rough sawn, or dressed lightly to leave a rustic sawtooth patina, or fully dressed for a clean appearance showing the colour and grain of the timber. We can mill cladding with different profiles to suit the application and the look required.
We supply recycled timber cladding to Canberra and the surrounding region, and can ship Australia-wide. Our re-milled recycled timber cladding is made to order in our Canberra workshop.
About Internal Cladding
We offer a range of cladding profiles suitable for internal applications. Tongue and Groove profiles (T&G) are primarily used internally or in covered external areas such as eaves and porch ceilings. T&G boards create a tight fitting finish but are not suitable for areas exposed to rain and the elements.
Shiplap cladding is designed for external use but can also be used internally if you like the look of the profile. Batten cladding is another popular option for internal spaces, with an extra central groove creating a finer mid-century look. Square edge cladding is usually used internally, but can be used externally over weather protective base sheeting. Our design team can advise on the most suitable profile for your cladding installation.
Internal Cladding Gallery
About External Cladding
Shiplap cladding is designed specifically for external use. The overlapping boards provide weather protection, and the slight angle on the top of the rebate ensures rain sheds to the outside of the wall. Batten cladding and screening profiles also perform well externally and can be used to create strong visual contrast and shadow lines.
Tongue and Groove profiles can only be used externally if the area is fully protected from rain and the elements, as the thinner tongue isn’t as resilient and the profile isn’t designed to shed water. Book a design appointment with our team to talk through the most appropriate profile options for your external cladding project.
External Cladding Gallery
Knockdown Rebuild
For knockdown rebuild projects, depending on the species of timber recovered, we can remill timber from your existing home and turn it into cladding for your new one. We can recommend demolition companies we regularly work with and advise on which timbers are suitable for recycling and reuse.
CLADDING PRODUCTS
Tongue & Groove Lining Boards
RECOMMENDED USES Tongue & Groove (T&G) Lining Boards are designed for internal use or for protected external areas like eaves and porch ceilings.
OPTIONS Boards can be machined with a v-joint where they meet, or with a shadowline profile added to the tongue and groove.
SIZING We usually make our T&G Lining Boards from thinner recycled house roof timbers. They have a cover width of 80mm and are 12mm thick when clean dressed, or 13mm thick with a sawtooth finish.
AVAILABLE FINISHES The T&G aligns the boards together neatly and works well with a clean dressed or a sawtooth finish.
Shiplap Cladding
RECOMMENDED USES This profile is designed for external use but can also be used internally if the aesthetic suits your space. The overlapping boards provide weather proofing, and the angled rebate helps ensure rain sheds away from the wall.
OPTIONS Shiplap boards can be machined with a square profile for vertical or internal cladding. We can also add an extra groove to create a batten style profile..
SIZING We usually make our Shiplap Cladding from old house roof timbers. It has a cover width of 78mm and is 18mm thick clean dressed or 19mm thick with a sawtooth finish.
AVAILABLE FINISHES Shiplap Cladding is available with a rough sawn, sawtooth or clean dressed finish.
Square Edge Cladding
RECOMMENDED USES Most of our internal sawtooth cladding is made with a square edge, in keeping with the more rustic style of the sawtooth look. Square Edge Cladding is designed to be fixed to a wall or ceiling that is already lined with ply or another suitable substrate.
OPTIONS Edges can be left rough sawn to enhance a rustic look or dressed back for a neater join.
SIZING We make our Square Edge Cladding from thinner house roof timbers. Standard thickness is 14mm with a sawtooth finish. With rough sawn edges, board widths vary but average around 95mm. With dressed edges, boards are a consistent 85mm wide.
AVAILABLE FINISHES Square Edge Cladding is typically supplied with a sawtooth finish but can also be left rough sawn or clean dressed.
Batten Cladding / Screening
RECOMMENDED USES Internal and external walls can be enhanced with battens or boards fixed with spacing between them to create contrast and depth. This style often works well over a black substrate. Our Square Edge Cladding can also be installed with spacing for a similar effect.
SIZING The options are flexible, but commonly used sizes include wire brushed 50 x 50mm battens spaced 15 to 50mm apart. Other popular options are clean dressed battens at 40 x 40mm or 85 x 40mm.
AVAILABLE FINISHES Batten Cladding can be supplied rough sawn, wire brushed, lightly dressed for a sawtooth look or clean dressed.
The Process
As our recycled timber cladding is made to order, production lead times apply. These vary by timber species availability, and typically range from 4 to 8 weeks. Please speak with your builder or installer to ensure cladding supply aligns with construction timeframes and installation stages. We recommend contacting Thor’s Hammer early in your project to avoid delays.
How to purchase cladding:
You choose a size, timber species and cladding profile.
Provide the total quantity required, usually in square metres, and your desired timeframe. Allow approximately 10 percent extra for installation wastage.
We will supply a design drawing for custom profiles and will always provide a formal quote.
Once the quote is accepted, a 50 percent deposit commences production.
Timber is sawn, solar kiln dried if required, and machined to your order. Packs are carefully wrapped and stored to maintain low moisture content. We will contact you when your order is ready for pickup or delivery.
Our recycled timber internal cladding is kiln dried and can be installed immediately. Acclimatisation is only required when installing in significantly different climates outside Canberra.
Maintenance
There are several maintenance options for cladding. External cladding can be left to weather naturally and turn grey without reapplication of Osmo Oil if you prefer that look.
Alternatively, you can maintain the original colour and appearance by applying Osmo Oils. Coating retains the timber’s tone, while leaving it uncoated allows natural weathering and reduces ongoing maintenance time and costs. UV Protection Oil generally requires reapplication every 12 to 18 months, depending on the level of exposure.
Internal cladding requires little to no maintenance to retain its original appearance, as it is protected from the elements.
Osmo Oils can be purchased from Thor’s Hammer.
Things to keep in mind
Cladding packs are supplied in mixed lengths, and board ends will need to be docked or squared on site. Recycled timber availability varies, and wider boards are more scarce. Wide boards are also less stable, and increased movement can be expected, particularly in exposed applications. This movement may result in gaps between boards or some cupping over time.
Make a design appointment today
The Thor’s Hammer design team can guide you through every step, from timber species and cladding profiles to finishes and board widths. Our showroom displays sample boards so you can see the colour range and character of different species and finishes in person.
Book a design appointment today to explore our current stock and find the recycled timber cladding solution best suited to your project. Visit our showroom at 10 Mildura Street, Griffith, ACT 2603.
RECOMMENDED SPECIES
available finishes
Cladding FAQs
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Recycled timber has already undergone decades of natural seasoning. This makes it more stable than new timber, with reduced movement from shrinkage, cracking or warping.
Recycled timber was originally harvested from old growth forests, and is often higher density and with a deeper colour and richer grain than new timbers. When properly installed and maintained, recycled timber cladding offers excellent durability and long term performance.
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We do not install cladding. However, we can provide a list of tradespeople in the Canberra region who have experience working with recycled timber cladding. You will still need to confirm that your chosen installer is the right fit for your project scope, budget and timeline.
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External cladding installation requires allowance for natural timber movement. Boards should be installed with a small expansion gap, typically 2mm, to accommodate changes in moisture and temperature. This helps prevent issues such as bulging, cracking or fixings working loose over time.
There are also different fixing methods to consider, such as nails or screws, and whether fixings are concealed or exposed. These decisions are best discussed with your builder or installer. Once these details are confirmed, we can help you select the most suitable timber and profile.
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All cladding, whether recycled or new, is supplied in random lengths. Recycled timber has already been cut to its original use, and the lengths we supply reflect the maximum lengths that can be salvaged and reprocessed from each piece.
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Cladding is supplied unfinished. As recycled timber is provided in random lengths and typically requires cutting and docking onsite, finishes and coatings are best applied after installation to achieve a consistent and durable result.
cladding PROJECTS
