The Planners demand I use real timber cladding on my build. And also insist on it being horizontal, lapped somehow (shiplap, feather edge, t&g are all fine) and painted a defined colour. (Natural wood colour is not allowed) They will in no way entertain fibre cement at this time. I am not prepared to argue because I am very unlikely to get anywhere based on previous examples.

 

So I am now looking at wooden cladding and am getting concerned about shrinkage especially on the south side in summer. My preference is for the look of a shiplap or bevel type interlocking scheme and these don't seem to have much overlap.

 

One of my thoughts was to use a cheap tanalised redwood knowing that within 10 years I would replace it with fibre cement because it isn't Planning's problem then. But it needs to look right until then. The other thought would be to go for a more expensive wood and have it last until after I retire and have downsized in the 30 year time frame. Does anyone have any feeling for shrinkage rates and longevity of painted cladding?

I Cedar cladded a building that had been done 13 years ago when the site was put in mothballs 

It had never been treated or painted or maintained I was amazed at how good of condition it was in Especially since they hadn’t used a membrane 
The building was in a very exposed place in the lake district 

+1 for cedar 

I would really like cedar but for it seeming a waste when it gets painted! (And the cost of course)

We have cedar and the cost is extortionate,  if you are painting it I would buy a standard builders merchants off the shelf product. 

I think you could push back on the fibre cement.  If you use one without an embossed grain it could be identical to smooth painted timber but without the maintenance, the shrinkage or the fire hazard.

@dnb

if you're painting you may as well save a shed load of money and use pressure treated timber

@Mr Punter

 

I did write a reply earlier in the day, but my phone ate it while I made coffee at work. The short version is that my site is in an ANOB and next door to an SSSI. Planning have enough plausible things (and a few less plausible things as well) to say that will tie up any discussion/appeal etc for a considerable time, and whether I ultimately win or loose, it hurts my timescales, budget and risk management on the build for a number of logistical reasons - quite a lot more than the cost of me putting up cheap cladding for a couple of years while I pursue the fibre cement I really want in slightly slower time. There's a some local politics too that I would rather not discuss on a public forum.