🌲 Larch Cladding Installation – A Beautiful, Breathable Facade in the Making
At DSN+BD Construction, every surface tells a story — and that’s especially true with our latest Larch cladding installation. More than just a weather barrier, this cladding is an architectural feature in its own right: sustainably sourced, beautifully detailed, and built to evolve gracefully over time.
🪵 Why Larch?
Larch is a go-to material for modern external cladding — and for good reason. It’s naturally durable, resistant to rot and pests, and ideal for UK climates. But it’s not just practical — it’s visually stunning, offering rich golden tones that age beautifully into soft silvers and greys when left untreated.
For this project, we’re using specially prepared Larch boards, sourced from a trusted supplier to ensure the highest standard of quality and consistency. Each board is tailored to fit the design, bringing the facade to life with both form and function.
✏️ Design-Led Detailing
We’ve taken extra care in how these boards are cut and installed. Each one is carefully chamfered along the sides, creating a smart shadow-line detail that does more than just look great.
From straight on, the chamfered edges hide the gaps between boards, creating a crisp, continuous appearance. From the side, the gaps reveal depth, rhythm, and texture — a subtle architectural feature that gives the facade visual interest throughout the day as light moves across it.
🌬️ Built to Breathe
But this design isn’t just about aesthetics — it’s about performance.
Those intentional gaps between boards allow the cladding system to breathe, promoting airflow behind the facade. This:
🌫️ Helps moisture escape
🧱 Keeps the structure and insulation dry
🌡️ Improves long-term thermal performance
⏳ Extends the lifespan of both the timber and the building envelope
It’s passive design done properly — reducing the risk of trapped moisture and ensuring the cladding works with, not against, the rest of the build.
🎨 Finishing Touches: To Oil or Not to Oil?
Larch cladding can be treated with natural oils to preserve its vibrant colour — but for this project, the client has chosen to let the timber weather naturally.
Over time, it will transition into a soft grey/silver tone, giving the facade a beautiful, organic patina that helps it blend seamlessly into its environment. It’s a low-maintenance choice that enhances the building’s connection to nature, while still offering all the functional benefits of this high-spec material.
🏡 Functional Beauty That Lasts
This Larch cladding isn’t just a rain screen — it’s a carefully considered part of the architecture. It enhances the thermal performance, weather protection, and aesthetic appeal of the home, while also ageing gracefully and requiring minimal intervention.
At DSN+BD, we believe in materials that perform beautifully and age with character — and this installation is a perfect example of that ethos in action.
Looking to enhance your home with natural materials and smart detailing? We design and build high-performance cladding systems that balance aesthetics, performance, and sustainability — from concept to completion.
📩 Get in touch to find out how we can bring thoughtful, lasting design to your next project.