Frake Timber Cladding
As members of the TDCA (Timber Decking and Cladding Association), Howarth Timber & Building Supplies is wholly committed to supplying the highest quality, sustainable timber cladding products.
Is Plato Wood Frake a hardwood?
Yes, Frake is a non-durable hardwood sourced from abundant FSC certified forests in West Africa. Because of its light density and cell structure, Frake is ideal for the environment friendly Plato process, making it more durable and much more stable.
How sustainable is Frake?
Plato Wood Frake is arguably one of the most sustainable cladding products available in the market. It is FSC certified, so independently guaranteed as coming from sustainable forests. What’s more, it is a LKS (lesser known species) – so each time Plato Wood Frake is specified and used, some pressure is spared on the more indiscriminately requested cladding species such as Western Red Cedar and Louro. Although these famous species can be sourced with certification, they are still finite. Therefore, to use Plato Wood Frake is to truly make a responsible choice.
What sizes can I get Plato Wood Frake in?
Individual solid sizes range from 18x90 to 40x185mm, with lengths going up to 5m. Larger sizes for Frake are available (up to 650mm) through modern techniques such as glulam and finger-joining.
Can Frake be used in direct ground or fresh water contact?
No. Although the durability of the Frake timber species has been upgraded with the Plato Wood process, it is only recommended for exterior use outside of direct ground and water contact – that’s why cladding is by far its main application.
How strong is it?
Although there are stronger timber species to build bridges with, Plato Wood Frake is perfect for its main intended purpose: cladding. When properly installed, Plato Wood Frake can last you many years.
Is Frake more stable than hardwoods?
Absolutely yes. The unique Plato Wood process carefully kiln dries the timber to very low levels – much lower than typical hardwoods are usually taken to. This ensures the timber has minimum movement.
Can it be stained and fire-treated?
Yes, there are numerous case studies where Plato Wood Frake has been stained and/or fire-treated. Recent projects have also achieved the new Euroclass B for fire treatment, the highest rate of fire protection.
What happens to timber after the Plato process?
The Frake timber species becomes lighter (less water content), darker, more stable, more durable and slightly more brittle.
How does Frake differ from other modified timbers?
Plato Wood Frake is a first on many levels. It still is the only exotic timber to be thermo treated. It has no knots and is available in 185mm widths as a single solid piece. Its treatment and maintenance are free from chemicals and it can be stained and fire treated
Is Frake FSC certified?
Yes, Plato Wood Frake is available with FSC chain of custody certification from your own stockist, making it traceable all the way back to its original source forest.