Responding to increasing demand from specifiers and suppliers the TDA is looking at opportunities to extend its activities to support the promotion of exterior timber cladding and landscape joinery.

The TDA has achieved considerable success in driving decking from a niche market of £5million in 1998 into a major sector of the wood industry with a value of approximately £130m in 2006. A key part of this success is the TDA’s ability to match specifiers’ technical needs with quality approved sources of supply. The TDA is recognised as the voice of authority on deck specifications and this is reflected in the adoption of TDA guidelines by other leading bodies like the NHBC.

Professionally designed decks are increasingly sophisticated multi level structures, incorporating other features such as revetments, pergolas, roofs, cladding, outdoor leisure rooms and spas. In the commercial sector, the specification of wood for permanent outdoor surfaces and landscape structures is growing significantly. Architects, surveyors and contractors now routinely contact the TDA for help with projects including: piers, marinas, bridges, retaining walls, timber buildings, shelters, balconies, roof gardens and street furniture. Exterior cladding is a popular subject. Specifiers are seeking not only species, technical and aftercare/surface maintenance guidance but also recommendations on quality assessed sources of supply. For those TDA members who also specialise in exterior cladding the outcome of this activity has already been a commercially beneficial bonus.

TDA strategy is focused on promoting quality materials and good installation and aftercare practices. Whilst the future prospects for timber decks remain good, the TDA recognises the major opportunities within the complementary market sectors of landscape joinery and exterior cladding. According to TDA Director Steve Young, “Both sectors prospects would benefit from improving technical guidance, quality assurance, marketing and supply chain coordination and promotion. The TDA’s brand strength, quality and guarantee schemes, proven marketing and pr ability and close relationship with the manufacturing and supply chain provides an excellent model on which to develop these opportunities working in close collaboration with its manufacturing members and Wood For Good.”

Many existing TDA members are already involved in supplying materials into the landscape joinery and exterior cladding and would benefit from the TDA repositioning to support these sectors of the market. Such a move would undoubtedly attract new members and the resources to help develop and grow the market in a way that is complementary to the roles of existing industry organisations.

The TDA is continuing to work with its members to identify and exploit opportunities for added value exterior wood applications and the products to keep them looking good. The Board of the TDA is inviting any organisation with a long-term interest in exterior wood to consider the TDA as the best business model to build awareness of and demand for quality landscape joinery and exterior cladding.

ENDS