Sustainable Cladding Choice with Brushed TMT Taiga for Greenhithe’s Ecological Retreat

Project background

This Greenhithe home, designed by Gary Lawson of Stevens Lawson Architects, is situated in a Significant Ecological Area (S.E.A.). The homeowners aimed to build a sanctuary that seamlessly integrates with its native bush surroundings while maintaining sustainability. Given the ecological sensitivity of the location, the choice of materials was critical, and JSC’s Thermally Modified TMT Taiga (Lunawood), a premium grade Nordic Pine, was selected for the exterior cladding.

The timber, sourced from Lunawood, reflects JSC’s commitment to sustainability. Lunawood’s timber is harvested from PEFC-certified forests and undergoes a chemical-free modification process, known as Thermowood, which enhances the timbers’ durability using only heat and steam. Additionally, Lunawood's timber products are carbon-storing, capturing more carbon than emitted during production. Their approach to responsible forestry, including planting several new trees for each one harvested, ensures ecological balance. This, combined with the renewable energy powering the process, results in a sustainable and long-lasting cladding solution that complements the ecological vision for this home.

Product selection

The homeowners selected JSC’s Brushed TMT Taiga for its natural rustic character and resilience. The Thermally Modified Timber (TMT) was a perfect fit for the project due to its enhanced durability and stability, properties achieved through a chemical-free heat treatment process. The dark-stained brushed TMT Taiga was used to reflect the rugged, natural beauty of punga trunks, while a lighter-stained version welcomed guests with subtle charm at the entryway. This feature-grade timber, with its unique “butterfly knots,” paired with the wire brushing of the timber added texture and personality and a distinctive three-dimensional grain effect to the exterior.

A key benefit of TMT Taiga is its ability to accept darker coatings, like JSC Scumble Nightfall, without compromising on dimensional stability. This non-laminated timber solution offered the perfect mix of aesthetics and performance, allowing the cladding to blend harmoniously with the natural surroundings and design vision, while withstanding the outdoor elements.

Final result

The Thermally Modified Timber provided a beautiful and sustainable cladding solution that enhanced the architectural design. The homeowners expressed their satisfaction with the final result: "Our home isn’t just a place to live; it’s a sanctuary that embodies our connection to nature and our commitment to sustainable living." The TMT Taiga cladding not only mirrors the surrounding bush but also offers low-maintenance durability, ensuring the home remains in harmony with its environment for years to come.

Project credits:
Architect: Stevens Lawson Architects
Client: Tree Tops Build
Year Completed: 2023
Imagery: JSC & Mariaan Veuger
View the full project

Products Used:

Vertical Shiplap Cladding
Brushed TMT Taiga (Lunawood)
JSC Scumble Nightfall on TMT Taiga

View JSC's Thermally Modified Timber Guide
Learn more about the sustainability of Lunawood

JSC Scumble Wood Oil

JSC

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JSC Scumble® is an advanced water-based product for protecting timber, containing natural plant-based oil ingredients.

NZ-Owned Business

JSC has worked on specifically developing a product to cater to the New Zealand market that is suitable for the unique and varied climatic conditions. JSC Scumble® is perfect for all a variety of timber applications such as exterior timber cladding, soffits, timber joinery, interior panelling, sarking, ceilings and decorative screens.
JSC timber boards will be factory coated using the JSC factory coating system. This involves coating boards/weatherboards under controlled conditions using our vacuum coating technology. Vacuum coating ensures 100% coverage over the entire surface area of any profile in one pass. Factory coated product is delivered on-site dry, well stacked, and ready for installation.
10 colours to choose from with high-quality pigments & UV inhibitors. A clear coating option is available that is free of colour pigments for applications where the raw beauty of the timber is the key requirement.

Longer lasting
Fast drying
Weather resistant
Ease of maintenance

JSC Vertical Shiplap Timber Weatherboard Cladding

JSC

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JSC are recognised as leaders in timber cladding and cavity system development in New Zealand, offering an extensive range of carefully selected quality products, profiles, and colour coatings to suit every design need.

NZ-Owned Business

JSC installation and specification guide and CodeMark certificate guidelines must be followed.

JSC VertiClad — Vertical Shiplap Weatherboard Cladding System – CodeMark Certificate: CM-GM30084

Location:

In wind zones up to and including extra high, as defined in NZS3604:2011 or situated in specific design wind pressures up to a maximum design differential ultimate limit state (ULS)of 2.5 kPa, where the building has been specifically engineered
In all exposure zones, excluding microclimates as defined in NZS3604:2011.

Building:

Has the scope limitations of NZBC Acceptable Solution E2/AS1, Third Edition including amendment 9 (27/06/2019), Paragraph 1.1; and,
New timber framed buildings with building wrap or rigid air barrier that comply with the NZBC Acceptable Solution E2/AS1 Third Edition including amendment 9 (27/06/2019),
Existing timber framed buildings where the designer and installer have satisfied themselves that the existing building is suitable for the intended building work
With a risk score of 0-20 when calculated in accordance with NZBC Acceptable Solution E2/AS1, Third Edition including amendment 9 (27/06/2019), Table 2
The System must only be installed vertically on vertical, flat, surfaces
The System is certified for use with aluminium window and door joinery that is installed with vertical jambs and horizontal heads and sills
The wall cladding system is located more than 1m from a relevant boundary.

Note: See CodeMark Certificate for full and up to date information. Please refer to installation instructions and maintenance guide available for download under Documents.

The JSC Weatherboard Systems if designed and installed as per the JSC VertiClad installation and specifications guide, will meet the following provisions of the New Zealand Building Code (NZBC):

Clause B1 Structure: Performance B1.3.1, B1.3.2, B1.3.4 (a), (b), (c), (d) and (e) for the relevant physical conditions of B1.3.3 (a), (e), (f), (h), (j), and (q)
Clause B2 Durability: Performance B2.3.1(b) and B2.3.2(b)
Clause E2 External Moisture: Performance E2.3.2, E2.3.3, E2.3.5, E2.3.7(b) and (c)
Clause F2 Hazardous Building Materials: Performance F2.3.1

JSC Western Red Cedar Weatherboard System, if installed and maintained as per manufacturer’s documentation, will meet the minimum 15-year durability requirement in respect of clauses B1 and B2 of the first schedule of the New Zealand Building Code for external cladding. In a typical installation, it is likely to have a serviceable life exceeding 30 years.

CodeMark

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