Choosing the right softwood?

[novice_but_keen]

Hi folks, i'm new here but would very much appreciate your help

I have been commissioned by a good friend to assist in creating the cladding for the wall of their indoor horse riding arena.

They want tongue & groove vertical boards, 1.5 m tall, probably in softwood. There's 225 m sq to cover and their budget is around £4k (not including VAT).

Thus far, whitewood is coming in on budget but i'm concerned it will age badly. I have been advised they should look at Larch or Redwood but this pushes the cost up.

They want the appearance to remain golden looking and are prepared to finish with sadolin - i did tell them that would cost about £400-500 for a space this size! Would that give whitewood sufficient longevity perhaps?

May i ask, what would you choose for this job? (It's indoor, gets hot in winter, but slightly damp and cold in winter. Durability from scrapes and kicks is important.)

Thanks all. Much appreciated.

 

[custard]

I've been involved in a few similar projects, not building the structures but making the "equestrian furniture", so things like mounting steps, saddle racks, bridle racks etc. The boarding out that I've seen has been Sweet Chestnut, Larch or reclaimed Pitch Pine; but these projects have been at the very top end of the market so I guess there's room to economise. I'm a furniture maker not a joiner so I have zero expertise in this area, but my understanding is that Larch isn't massively more expensive than white deal, but is far more durable as well as being a more attractive timber. I'd certainly get some Larch off-cuts, cost it out, and discuss it with the client.

Good luck!

 

[Beau]

Larch would be ideal. Have you approached a sawmill direct to get a good price?

 

[Jacob]

Redwood is the standard joinery timber and is available in various grades and many sizes.
I'd finish with linseed oil. It'd age slowly and become brown but be much more resistant to scratches and other damage, and easier to re apply.

 

[RobinBHM]

£4k doesnt sound much for the area to be done.

if my sums are right, a cover width of say 112mm would need 2000 linear metres of t&G redwood which is £3 or more a metre for ex 25 x 125

I would've thought ex 1" boards would be best for strength, Im not sure the ex 12 x 100 decorative cladding would be right.

I guess the whitewood must be quite cheap? -but not very tough, as Jacob says redwood is the best option really

 

[Jacob]

I'd buy off the peg redwood matchboard - it wouldn't be much more than the cost of sawn and would save a vast amount of work.
http://www.snowstimber.com/

 

[YorkshireMartin]

I agree with Jacob. Thats a lot of work and a lot of cleaning, as machining softwood in this quantity will deposit a ton of sap on your machinery. If not already, set yourself up with a trade account and stick this in as an initial order, I'd imagine you'd get quite a reasonable discount.

To save cost, half inch up high and inch in kicking range perhaps, with a trim inbetween?

Sorry if teaching grandma to suck eggs. Not my intention.