DesignBuyBuild_16_2015

James Latham Supplies Western Red Cedar for
Luxury Holiday Homes in Cornwall
The UK's biggest independent timber and panel
product distributor, James Latham, has supplied
880m2 of Western Red Cedar for the construction
of four luxury holiday homes in Talland, South
East Cornwall. www.thebaytalland.com.
The Western Red Cedar was machined to a special
tongue and groove cladding profile and
was used for the exterior cladding of the
impressive properties. It was specified for
its durability and low maintenance qualities
as well as its ability to retain an attractive
appearance when weathered.
Award winning London architectural
practice, Mador Architects were
commissioned to design these luxury
properties which have been sold to
individuals for second homes and
investment opportunities. Each boast
bespoke interiors which include
Porcelanosa bathrooms, rooftop hot tubs,
and high end kitchens.
The team, including Nick Wilson, a
partner at Bay Talland Associates, wanted to
create prestige holiday homes that have a natural
appearance and likeness to a modern alpine lodge.
To achieve this look they designed the building to
incorporate wooden cladding in its construction,
surrounded with large terraces to take advantage
of the views over the bay.
It was important that the Timber length was over
3.3m as they wanted to avoid butt joints which
would spoil the façade’s natural look and feel.
This was a hurdle that James Latham was able to
advise on as Western Red Cedar produces long
lightweight lengths of timber with a fine straight
grain making this specie easy to cut, saw, machine
and fix.
It was also essential that the wood used for the
cladding was durable and would require little
maintenance, while providing a quality and
natural looking finish. Nick and the team at James
Latham discussed a variety of wood products that
could be used and that would cope with the South
East of England’s varied an unpredictable climate.
With natural resistance to moisture, decay and
insect damage (fibres in the timber contain natural
preservatives that are toxic to decay-causing
fungi) Western Red Cedar is one of the world’s
most durable species and remains the premier
choice for timber cladding.
James Latham recommended Western Red Cedar
as the perfect solution to clad the exterior of all
four properties, helping to create the luxury
modern take on the alpine lodge that was specified
within the brief.
Nick Wilson said: “We wanted to create a group
of four luxury lodges that would stand the test of
time and enhance the already beautiful landscape.
The lodges were all sold immediately as they each
offered their own bespoke slice of serenity and
seclusion whilst overlooking the beautiful Cornish
coastline.
“We needed to find a company that was large
enough to not only provide the long lengths of
Western Red Cedar that were required,
directly from stock, but one that was also
able to take care of the machining and
adhere to quick turnarounds, as well as
offering technical expertise and an in-depth
understanding of the products they were
supplying. James Latham more than fitted
the bill and we will have no hesitation in
contacting them again for future projects.”
Mark Harraway, Timber Manager at James
Latham’s Yate depot said: “The Bay
Talland project is a fantastic example of
how Cedar cladding can add the finishing
touches to a building and create the natural
looking exterior and eye-catching asthetics
demanded by a brief such as this.
He added, “PEFC certified, Western Red Cedar is
one of North America's great renewable resources.
It is slow grown and naturally durable and it has
one of the longest life spans of any softwood, plus
its low density gives an excellent insulation value
that is superior to most species.”
“It also offers outstanding dimensional stability, is
lightweight and easy to work with and is simple to
finish and stain which all go to make it the perfect
material for exterior cladding applications.”
To find out more about James
Latham’s full range of products please visit
www.lathamtimber.co.uk ,
email marketing@lathams.co.uk or
call 0116 257 3415