How Much Does Timber Cladding Cost? (2025)

Timber Cladding Costs in Australia: Types, Factors, and Budgeting for Your Building Project

Timber cladding still brings out the beauty and functionality of structures for buildings in Australia. Relatively common today for its natural appearance, timber cladding is available in a variety of choices to fit any design preference and price range.

Varieties of timber used include spotted timber, ironbark timber, softwoods like pine, and cedar timber, which gives the building a classic outlook apart from the durability and insulation it provides.

Indeed, the costs of timber cladding can differ greatly depending on such parameters as the type of timber, its quality, treatment, and the difficulty level of installation of cladding. This cost guide on timber cladding in Australia gives information on the types of timber, factors affecting the costs, and budgetary considerations that you need to know for your project. In a way, whether the project is for residential use or commercial use, the components of cost are important factors that need to be accounted for in a cladding process.

Types of Timber Cladding and Their Costs in Detail

Shiplap timber shows the natural timber look and provides a variety of choices according to the design and cost requirements. Different kinds of timber are available in Australia for cladding, and all of them possess different qualities and different price ranges. The most popular types of timber cladding and approximate prices are listed below.

1. Hardwood Cladding:

Curved and brushed hardwood has several advantages; it is hard-wearing, very strong, and offers a subtle appearance. It costs much more than softwood most of the time because it is a premium type of wood and is very durable.

Spotted Gum:

• Appearance: Spotted Gum has a natural colour range from brown to grey and has strong contrasting grain patterns.


• Durability: Very resistant to termite attacks as well as to the harsh forces of nature, such as sun and rain.


• Cost: $100 – $150 per square meter.

Ironbark:

• Appearance: Dark reddish-brown to deep brown with somewhat rough skin.


• Durability: Of exceptionally long-wearing nature and very much resistant to both rot and insects.


• Cost: Cost ranges from $120 to $180 per square meter.

Blackbutt:

• Appearance: Vary from pale yellow to brown colour and characterized by a close and fine grain.


• Durability: Generally good resistance to pests and fairly good to moderate weathering aspects.


• Cost: Range from $90 – $140 per square meter.

Red Ironbark:

• Appearance: Dark chocolate brown, relatively smooth walnut-like grain.


• Durability: This is well known for its hardness next to diamond and resistance to decay.


• Cost: They cost between $110 and $170 per square meter, while a structure of wood and steel is $130 to $195 per square meter.

2. Softwood Cladding:

Softwood is cheaper than hardwood versions and may be utilized in several residential and commercial applications. It is not as hard-wearing as hardwood, but when well-treated or protected and cared for adequately, it is a good performer.

Pine (Radiata Pine):

• Appearance: Pale straw to pale to light honey colour with a straight grain.


• Durability: Usually used to improve the protection against pests and decay.


• Cost: $30 – $60 per square meter.

Western Red Cedar:

• Appearance: It is a warm reddish-brown colour with fine grain age.


• Durability: Undoubtedly, this material is rather natural for ‘indoor’ usage as it can hardly decompose, and insects cannot damage it.


• Cost: $70 – $120 per square meter.

Douglas Fir:

• Appearance: Pale reddish-brown; straight grain throughout.


• Durability: Reasonably sturdy and relatively chemically and rot, and bug-resistant.


• Cost: The cost is within the range of $50 – $90 per square meter.

3. Treated Pine Cladding:

Treated Pine is favoured because of its low cost and the improvement of its durability by undergoing some treatment. This is especially used when constructing individual houses or small residential units are in the process.

Treated Pine (Generally of H3 or H4 Treatment):

• Appearance: Mainly, they come in light shades of brown however, they can be stained or painted.


• Durability: Treated for repellent against termites, decay, and moisture.


• Cost: $30 – $60 per square meter.

4. Specialty Timber Cladding:

Specialty timbers provide worktops with different looks and feel, together with different performance capabilities, but they retain higher prices.

Australian Cypress:

• Appearance: It is of a light yellow to brown colour with a clear grain pattern.


• Durability: Termite and decay resistant, as a result, making it extremely suitable for use as external cladding.


• Cost: It will cost $80 – $130 per square meter.

Ironwood:

• Appearance: Heavy and dark red-brown to dark brown.


• Durability: It is strong and dense, and very resistant to both weather and insects.


• Cost: $100- $150 per square meter.

Factors Influencing Timber Cladding Costs

Variations in the prices of timber claddings can be attributed to key factors that affect the total amount of money that has to be spent. Knowledge of these factors will enable one to work out the budget and choose the right cladding for the project.

1. Type of Timber:

The species of timber chosen also plays a very critical role in affecting the cost of the entire process. The spotted gum and ironbark species of timber are costlier because of their hard-wearing and luxurious quality, and cost between $90 and $180 per square meter. Pine and Cedar are examples of softwoods that are cheaper and normally range from $30- $120 per square meter. Special and imported ones may also be a bit costly.

2. Timber Quality and Grading:

Specifically, the basic product is known to be made of timber with many knots, while a better quality timber that is free from stocky and uniform in appearance will cost more. Some grades are superior to others in terms of appearance and mechanical properties, which in turn result in higher prices.

3. Treatment and Finishing:

Options include timber that is treated for resistance to pests and weather, or timber that has already been given a factory finish will cost more. Treatments improve durability and cycles, and hence change first cost and recurrent expense patterns. Other costs, such as staining or sealing of floors are also considered in the cost.

4. Installation Complexity:

There is a correlation between cost and installation, as the larger the structure, the more complicated the installation process is. Houses with frame or truss structures are cheaper to install than those that have complicated designs or those that need to be cut to specific sizes. This work also affects the costs since preparation of the surface and framing requires effort and time, which is bound to cost some amount of money.

5. Geographic Location:

As it is well known, regional circumstances are capable of significantly influencing costs based on differential rates of labour, materials, and transportation. This is especially the case in developed countries, where the cost of products varies depending on the region; more so, urban areas are relatively more expensive than rural regions.

6. Building Size and Design:

The size of the structure and the plan influenced the quantity of material, workmanship, and this always leads to a higher cost of production. They also increase the cost of the material and installation since they are considered as custom elements for structures or patterns that have additional designs or detailing on them.

Budgeting for Timber Cladding

When getting ready to embark on a timber cladding project, it is important to have in mind the cost of the material and its installation. Here are some tips for managing your budget effectively:

1. Obtain Multiple Quotes:

There are differences in the pricing of supplies and contracts, and try to get a quote from several suppliers and contractors to know how much your particular project costs on average. It is especially important in case one wants to make choices as to whether he needs car insurance, but the prices will differ, and by figuring this out, one will not spend extra cash to be covered under a service that he does not require.

2. Choose the Right Timber:

Choose timber that is affordable to your pocket and one that possesses the necessary performance standards. Some of the things to look at when choosing include the durability of the material, how often it will need maintenance, and your preferred look.

3. Plan for Long-Term Costs:

Don’t forget to take into consideration the future expenditure for maintenance or any repairs. The purchase of superior quality timber may at first be slightly more expensive than if one bought substandard timber, but the realization is that there are definite costs in terms of maintenance and replacement in the long run.

4. Explore Financing Options:

Transcendent timber cladding may require looking into credit available for home improvement, like loans or credit lines, so the cost might be spread out over a certain period.

Conclusion

Timber cladding offers a durable and visually appealing option for enhancing the exterior of any building, with costs influenced by several factors. The choice of timber type, its grade, and how it's cut, along with the processes used for carving or surfacing, all play significant roles in determining the final price.

Additionally, costs can vary based on installation methods, geographical location, project size, and the architectural style of the building.

When considering options like wall cladding, stone cladding, or vinyl cladding, evaluating these factors against your budget and material density is crucial to making a cost-effective choice that remains attractive. Selecting the right timber cladding not only elevates the aesthetic value of the building but also impacts its overall performance.

Whether you opt for premium hardwoods or more affordable softwoods, understanding these cost implications will contribute to a successful and satisfying cladding project, especially when facilitated by skilled cladding installers.