1st May 20121 A cladding I shall go.. tra-la!

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Saturday 1st 45-56F, cloudy start clearing to sunshine. Then cloud and sunny periods.

Working on the final, rear, lower, cladding panel. Four extra cross braces added to hold it all firmly together. All was safely closed up before I needed a rest.

I have yet to start on the external, larch, skirting boards. These provide an improved boundary to the wildlife. By being buried deeper than the plywood cladding. Which stops just at the gravel level. Or will do, when it is finally levelled and the pea gravel reinstated. The pea gravel topping stops the self compacting sand/gravel from erosion.

Plus, the boards give a nice, cosmetic lift to the plywood junction with the gravel. It just looks far more finished to my eye. Unlike the image alongside. The difference in lightness is already very obvious. I rather like the eventual, weathered look. When the grain becomes more visible and the wood turns dark brown. 

It is important to use lots of screws around the edges to keep the boards flat on th structure. They warp quite readily if left to their own devices. Even standing on edge in the sunshine they will bend like a banana. Fortunately they will flatten again. Just by reversing the side exposed to the sun. 

The grooves provide a pleasing "planked" appearance compared to plain, bare plywood. The boards are described as Radiata Pine and are produced in Chile in 2440x1220mm sheets. I find the weight just tolerable for manhandling.

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