Always use the Face Cover measurement — not the Total Width — when calculating how many boards you need. If you use the Total Width, you’ll end up short. Select your product from the dropdown and the calculator handles this for you automatically.

When ordering cladding, always buy from the same batch where possible. Timber is a natural product — colour and grain can vary between batches, especially with species like Siberian Larch and Western Red Cedar. If you’re covering a large area, it’s far better to over-order slightly than to try and colour-match later.

When measuring for battens, remember to account for vertical airflow if you’re cladding externally. Building regs typically require a ventilated cavity behind the cladding boards, so your battens need to be deep enough to allow air to circulate (usually 25–38 mm). Space them at 400–600 mm centres depending on your board thickness.

The trims calculator includes a 5% mitre waste factor automatically. Mitre cuts at corners always produce offcuts you can’t reuse, and trimming is fiddly work where mistakes happen. For internal corners, consider using a scribing technique instead of mitres — it’s more forgiving and gives a cleaner finish over time as the timber moves.

Timber should be acclimatised before fitting. Store your boards flat in the room (or near the site) for at least 48 hours before installation. This lets the moisture content equalise with the environment, reducing the risk of shrinkage, cupping, or gaps appearing after fitting. This applies to all timber products — cladding, flooring, and trims alike.