Storage

Store timber well clear of the ground on level supports spaced no more than 600mm apart and 150mm off the ground. Protect from sun, rain and extreme heat, preferably by storing under cover and above or away from any ground splashing. Exercise care in handling and keep clean and dry because marks and stains may not be hidden by clear or stain finishes.

If left for more than a few weeks in a “block-stacked” pack, unseasoned timber may develop a slight superficial reddish discolouration between boards. To avoid this, you can rack the timber using dressed racking sticks of seasoned pine or similar, spaced at 600 centres over supports, stored as described above.

Fixing

F7 Structural Timber

All fixings should be either hot dipped galvanised or stainless steel.

Timber Decking

Even though Golden Cypress exhibits extremely low shrinkage, Golden Cypress decking products are available air-dried* (seasoned) to acclimatise each piece closer to its expected equilibrium moisture content in service so that any shrinkage is minimised. Notwithstanding the above, good construction practice dictates leaving a gap between each board if seasoned.

Unseasoned decking timbers can be used where consideration of longitudinal shrinkage is unimportant (e.g. boardwalks with free ends) or has been considered and detailed accordingly (e.g. arrising the crosscuts where boards would butt join).

Fixing is generally by a minimum of two hot-dipped galvanised nails through the face a minimum penetration depth of 50mm into solid timber joists. As a minimum, nails at ends of boards should be pre-drilled. Screws are also suitable and twist-shank nails perform better than plain shank. Ensure Golden Cypress is always above direct ground contact.

* Note that long lead times may apply so plan to place your order early in the construction schedule.

Shiplap Cladding

Fixing is generally by a minimum of two hot-dipped galvanised nails through the face a minimum penetration depth of 50mm into solid timber noggings (when fixed vertically) or solid timber studs (when fixed horizontally) behind at a maximum of 600 centres. Do not fix through the laps. If boards are seasoned, good construction practice dictates leaving a 2mm gap between each board.

As a minimum, nails at ends of boards should be pre-drilled. Screws are also suitable and twist-shank nails perform better than plain shank. Stops or folded metal covers are recommended for vertical corners. Ensure Golden Cypress is always above direct ground contact.

Unless protected by a permanent roof, a waterproof, vapour permeable or breather type sarking should be installed behind all claddings and other timber, which is fixed vertically or diagonally to prevent penetration of water under severe rain and wind conditions. Sarking should be fixed on the outside of studs using disc type nails at 600 mm centres. Horizontal laps must not be less than 50 mm and vertical laps must be on studs.

Note: The use of non-permeable aluminium foil or plastic sarking directly behind Gold-CladTM used externally is not recommended as trapped vapour may cause problems.

Garden Sleepers

To fix your garden sleepers, we recommend hot dipped galvanised fixings.

Maintenance

Indoors timber can be oiled, painted, stained, coated with a clear finish or simply left uncoated.

Good building practice requires that all freshly cut surfaces have an application of a water repellent preservative. End-grains require particular attention, especially post tops.

On all timber to be painted, ends in particular, are to be primed with a compatible primer. If painting, light coloured paint will last longer.

All exposed, uncoated external timbers will tend to oxidise to a silvery grey colour, the degree and rate of greying dependent upon the exposure level of each element to sun, wind and rain. Although Golden Cypress has its own natural durability when used in conjunction with good building practices, we suggest using a high quality penetrating oil with effective fungicidal properties and re-coating according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Should you want a quick and even greying effect, your paint supplier should be able to add a grey tint for you.

Should you want to want to bring the natural colour back from grey,  oxalic acid has proven effective.

Regardless of what you choose, always refer to the manufacturer’s recommendations.

Some customers have suggested these options:

• Cutek as a preservative
• Wattyl Exterior Deck Teak Tallow – its tint colour closely matches the colour of fresh-sawn Golden Cypress
• Livos products (for the health conscious)

Although some products require more frequent re-coating , you should also factor in the ease of re-coating.