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 these and James Latham’s full range of products please visit www.lathamtimber.co.uk , email marketing@lathams.co.uk or call 0116 257 3415

To find out more about Bay Talland Associates please visit: www.thebaytalland.com.