Free tool
Cladding a wall, building a slatted screen or putting a bit of height on a wall? Put in the size and we'll work out the boards, uprights and fixings you need, with today's prices.
Your cladding
This board locks together, so it goes up with no gap.
You choose how much extra to allow. Most people allow 5% to 10% for cuts and waste.
What you need
| Qty | Item | Price |
|---|
Uprights 1.8m apart. Quantities are a guide, so if your wall has corners, windows or an odd shape, call or call in and we'll check it with you.
Please note: These quantities are an estimate only, worked out from the measurements you enter. Every job is different, so please check your own measurements and quantities before you order. The final calculation and order quantity are your responsibility. Abwood can’t be held responsible if you end up short of materials or with materials left over.
How we work it out
What's in your list
Rows of boards run horizontally along the full length, with your chosen gap between them. We pick the board length that gives you the least waste.
On a wall, uprights go at the gap you choose and are fixed with 8mm wall fixers every 600mm or so up the upright.
The rule of thumb is to have your uprights going down the wall as much as they go up, so a 600mm extension needs 1.2m uprights.
100 x 100 posts at the gap you choose, with 600mm in the ground, and a 50 x 22 brace in the middle of each bay to support the boards.
Tips from the yard
Before you start
Cut a small block the size of your gap and use it between every row. It keeps the gaps dead even all the way up.
Get the first board dead level and the rest will follow. Work from the bottom up.
If your wall is longer than a board, join boards on an upright and stagger the joins from row to row.
Brush end grain preserver on any cut ends so they last as long as the rest of the board.
Questions
Cladding FAQs
What timber is best for garden cladding?
Our most popular are Glan 70 x 12mm and planed PAO 40 x 19mm. Both are pressure treated and give that clean, modern slatted look. Glan is lighter and cheaper, 40 x 19 is chunkier and stiffer.
How far apart should the uprights be?
That’s up to you. Choose 1.2m, 1.5m, 1.8m or put in your own gap. The closer the uprights, the stronger and straighter the cladding will be.
What gap should I leave between the boards?
For a slatted look most people go for 10mm to 20mm. A smaller gap gives more privacy, a bigger gap lets more light and air through. You can also butt them up with no gap for a solid finish.
Can I use cladding to make my wall higher?
Yes. Fix uprights to the face of the wall and let them rise above it. As a rule of thumb, the uprights should go down the wall as far as they go up, so a 600mm extension needs 1.2m uprights. Pick Extending a wall in the calculator and it works it out for you.
Can I use TG&V, Barrelboard or Weathersheeting?
Yes. They lock or overlap together, so they go up with no gap. The calculator works them out by the width each board covers once fitted, not its full width.
What do I fix the boards with?
Two screws per board at every upright. We suggest 4 x 30mm screws for Glan and 4 x 40mm for 19mm boards. The uprights go to the wall with 8mm wall fixers.
Do you deliver?
Yes, we deliver timber across Wicklow, Dublin, Wexford, Kildare, Meath, Carlow and Kilkenny. The delivery charge is shown at checkout, or you can collect from our yard in Newcastle, Co. Wicklow.
Not sure what you need?
Send us a photo of the wall or call in to the yard and we'll go through it with you.