Key Takeaways Four practical finish options: Uncoated (natural silvering), pre-oiled, grey weathering oil, and charred Ironbark (Shou Sugi Ban). Uncoated cladding is zero-maintenance and covered by warranty: Leaving Class 1 reclaimed hardwood uncoated is a valid specification, not a compromise on durability. Same NZBC detailing for every finish: All four paths use standard NZBC-compliant profiles and cedar-equivalent detailing, so you do not need to redesign cavity details if the finish changes. Base your choice on site and maintenance: Let climate exposure (coastal, alpine, urban) and your client’s willingness to maintain the timber guide the decision alongside aesthetics. Choosing an exterior timber finish often feels like balancing what the client wants it to look like against how much maintenance they are willing to do. With reclaimed Australian hardwood, that decision is much simpler than it looks. Because Class 1 hardwoods get their durability and weather resistance from their natural density rather than surface coatings, the finish choice comes down to aesthetics and upkeep rather than timber protection. When looking through reclaimed hardwood cladding options, four main paths emerge: uncoated natural silvering, pre-oiled colour retention, grey weathering oil, and charred Ironbark. Here is how to match the right finish to your project brief across New Zealand climate zones. What Finish Options Are Available for Reclaimed Hardwood Cladding? All four finishes can be applied in the factory across LMA’s exterior cladding range. Factory pre-finishing ensures full coverage on all sides, consistent drying, and fewer trades to coordinate on site. Importantly, all four options use identical NZBC-compliant profile dimensions, so you can change the finish selection late in concept stage without redesigning cavity details. Uncoated: The Zero-Maintenance Path Leaving reclaimed hardwood uncoated allows the timber to weather naturally, shifting from rich native tones into a silver-grey patina over time. Unlike softwoods that rely on oils to stop surface cracking and water absorption, Class 1 Australian hardwoods (like Spotted Gum, Ironbark, Blackbutt, and Tallowwood) are dense enough to resist rot and moisture on their own. Uncoated timber goes through a transitional phase where sun and rain weather different elevations at varied rates. In typical NZ conditions, uniform silvering takes about 12 to 18 months. LMA Timber’s product warranty covers uncoated cladding, meaning leaving the timber natural will not void performance guarantees. This makes it a smart choice for coastal baches, multi-residential projects, or commercial builds where ongoing painting budgets do not exist. If a building owner decides years later that they want the original timber colour back, the surface can simply be cleaned and oiled. Pre-Oiled: Colour Retained, Low Maintenance If your client wants to keep the warm, rich honey and amber tones of freshly milled hardwood, factory pre-oiled timber is the right path. Factory pre-oiling applies deep-penetrating natural timber oils under controlled conditions before the cladding arrives on site. This coats all four sides and cut ends, protecting the timber from sudden moisture changes during construction. It also avoids common on-site issues like weather delays, lap marks, or uneven coating thickness. Keeping that rich timber colour requires maintenance. Depending on site exposure, orientation, and UV levels, a fresh coat of oil will be needed every 3 to 5 years. North and west facing walls usually need attention earlier than shaded south walls. Re-oiling is straightforward: wash the timber down and reapply a compatible oil. There is no need for sanding or stripping because quality penetrating oils do not form a brittle film that peels or flakes. Grey Weathering Oil: Controlled Silvering Grey weathering oil gives you the look of silvered timber immediately while providing an even tone across the entire building from day one. Natural silvering happens gradually, which means north faces silver faster than shaded walls under eaves. Grey weathering oil combines a penetrating protective oil with a subtle grey pigment, delivering a uniform grey appearance right after installation. As the pigment slowly wears away over 2 to 4 years, the timber underneath naturally silvering takes over smoothly. This option works well for commercial or high-end residential briefs where the client wants an immediate silvered look without waiting through the patchy intermediate phase of natural weathering. Charred Ironbark (Shou Sugi Ban): Maximum Durability, Bold Aesthetic Charred Ironbark uses the traditional Japanese Shou Sugi Ban (Yakisugi) method, burning the timber surface to create a durable carbonised outer layer. While charred timber in New Zealand is usually made from softwoods like Cedar or modified Pine, LMA applies this process to Class 1 Ironbark. Combining an extremely dense hardwood substrate with a charred exterior creates a facade that naturally resists fire, UV damage, insects, and fungal decay. Visually, Charred Ironbark provides a deep, textured black finish. After charring, the timber is factory-sealed to bind the carbon layer so it does not rub off during handling and installation. It offers a striking architectural option for harsh coastal or alpine sites where painted softwoods struggle to last. Summary of Finish Options Uncoated: Zero ongoing maintenance, silvering covered by warranty, great for low-maintenance briefs. Pre-Oiled: Preserves warm natural hardwood colours, needs simple re-oiling every 3 to 5 years. Grey Weathering Oil: Delivers an immediate, even grey appearance on day one that ages naturally over time. Charred Ironbark: Heavy-duty Class 1 hardwood with a carbonised layer for a bold, lasting black finish. Which Finish Is Right for Your Project? Three Questions to Ask To narrow down the right finish quickly during concept design, run through these three questions: What is the client’s appetite for maintenance? If they want zero maintenance costs and no upkeep schedule, specify Uncoated. If they prefer the original timber colour and accept a wash and re-oil every 3 to 5 years, specify Pre-Oiled. If they want a bold black feature with minimal upkeep, go with Charred Ironbark. What is the site exposure zone? Severe coastal locations with salt spray and high UV suit Uncoated or Charred Ironbark options well because there is no surface film to degrade. In sheltered urban zones, all four finishes perform reliably. What visual outcome does the design call for? Match the finish directly to the look you want: immediate grey (Grey Weathering Oil), long-term natural patina (Uncoated), warm timber tones (Pre-Oiled), or solid black (Charred Ironbark). Finish Decision Matrix Finish Option Maintenance Required Visual Outcome NZ Exposure Suitability Warranty Covered Uncoated / Natural None Natural silver-grey patina over 12–18 months All zones (Coastal, Alpine, Urban) Yes Pre-Oiled Re-oil every 3–5 years Warm natural timber tones retained All zones Yes Grey Weathering Oil Low (one transition cycle) Even grey on day one, ages into patina All zones Yes Charred Ironbark Very low Deep carbonised black with rich texture All zones (Extreme Coastal & Alpine) Yes Does Reclaimed Hardwood Cladding Need a Finish to Meet NZBC Requirements? Architects often ask whether leaving timber uncoated will cause issues during building consent. LMA reclaimed hardwood cladding meets New Zealand Building Code (NZBC) clauses B1 Structure, B2 Durability, and E2 External Moisture regardless of the finish you choose. NZBC Clause B2 requires cladding materials to last at least 15 years. Class 1 Australian hardwoods naturally achieve an above-ground durability rating of over 40 years without needing chemical treatments or protective coatings. Hesitation around reclaimed timber usually stems from concerns about old bolt holes or split grain. The milling process involves recovering large hardwood timbers like telegraph poles and wharf beams, which are then demetalled, inspected, and precision-cut into new profiles. You can read more about how reclaimed timber is sourced and processed to see how old fixings and surface defects are removed entirely, leaving clean heartwood ready for standard cavity installation. For quick specification work, LMA profiles are listed on EBOS and MasterSpec for easy access to CAD details and technical datasheets. How Does LMA Reclaimed Hardwood Perform Across NZ Climates? New Zealand climate conditions vary widely, from salt winds in Northland to freeze-thaw cycles in the Southern Alps. Reclaimed hardwood has proven performance across all of these environments, which you can see showcased across various regions in recent architectural projects. In alpine areas like Castle Hill (600 metres above sea level with winter temperatures down to −8°C), rapid temperature changes can cause softer timbers to split around fixings. The high density and stability of Class 1 hardwood resist thermal shock and moisture movement, keeping the building envelope tight. Reclaimed timber also gives you a clear sustainability story for clients focused on environmental footprint. Reusing existing hardwood avoids the processing footprint of new timber. Independent testing shows reclaimed Australian hardwood locks in carbon stored decades ago, offering 2 to 3 times the embodied carbon benefits of newly harvested softwoods over its lifetime. Frequently Asked Questions Does reclaimed hardwood cladding need to be oiled to stay durable? No. Class 1 Australian hardwoods have natural density and extractives that protect against rot, decay, and insects. Oiling is purely an aesthetic choice to keep the warm timber colour. Leaving the timber uncoated will not affect its structural life or void the warranty. How long does it take for hardwood cladding to turn silver in NZ? In typical NZ weather, uncoated hardwood starts changing colour within a few months and reaches a full silver-grey patina in about 12 to 18 months, depending on building orientation and rain exposure. What is the difference between grey weathering oil and natural silvering? Grey weathering oil gives you an immediate, uniform grey look from day one. Natural silvering happens gradually over 12 to 18 months as UV light and rain weather the raw wood face. Is Charred Ironbark cladding suitable for coastal areas? Yes. Ironbark is a Class 1 hardwood, and the charred surface layer adds extra protection against salt spray, heavy rain, and harsh UV rays without breaking down. Does my choice of finish affect building consent? No. All four finish options use the same NZBC-compliant profiles meeting B1, B2, and E2 requirements. Code compliance comes from the Class 1 timber itself, so changing finishes does not require new detailing or consent changes. Can factory-applied finishes be ordered directly from LMA Timber? Yes. LMA supplies pre-oiled, grey weathering oil, and charred finishes directly from the factory. Factory coating ensures consistent coverage on all sides and avoids weather delays on site. Specify Reclaimed Hardwood with Confidence Selecting a finish for reclaimed hardwood cladding does not have to mean choosing between appearance and performance. Whether your project needs the simple zero-maintenance path of natural silvering, the warm tones of pre-oiled timber, or the strong presence of Charred Ironbark, LMA reclaimed hardwood offers a warranty-backed, NZBC-compliant option built for New Zealand conditions. If you have further technical questions, feel free to browse our frequently asked questions or get in touch directly to request timber samples for your office.
