Quickboard is a timber-look lining and cladding board used on walls, ceilings and feature areas, and profiles, species and finishes vary by supplier, so confirm the exact specification before you buy. Installed timber-style cladding in Sydney commonly runs about $100–$300 per m² (indicative — get itemised quotes), depending on the board, the wall and the finish. You’ll find where quickboard suits, how it compares with slats and composites, and the mistakes that cause cupping, staining and leaks.
Key points
- Quickboard suits feature walls, soffits and ceilings best, and exterior use needs a cavity, flashings and a maintained finish.
- Aluminium and Colorbond slats cost more up front but need far less upkeep than any timber board.
- The cheapest cladding on the day is rarely the cheapest over ten years once you count repainting or oiling.
- Check for asbestos and your bushfire rating before you cut, drill or order, especially on older homes.
What is quickboard? Timber cladding explained
Use this table to decode the terms you’ll see on supplier sites and quotes.
| Term | What it means | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Quickboard | A lining and cladding board range sold for walls and ceilings | Specs differ by supplier, so check the data sheet for profile and finish |
| Permatimber quickboard | The quickboard range sold under the Permatimber name | Ask the supplier for installation and finishing instructions before ordering |
| Castellated timber cladding | Boards with a stepped, tooth-like profile that creates deep shadow lines | Looks bold, but the grooves collect dust and water outdoors |
| Lining boards | Narrow tongue-and-groove or shiplap boards fixed in sequence | Common for ceilings and walls, with hardwood and softwood versions |
| Batten cladding | Spaced timber strips fixed over a backing or open to a cavity | Gives a slatted look, but the gaps need a weatherproof backing outside |
| Cavity | An air gap behind the cladding that lets moisture escape | Prevents rot and mould behind exterior boards |
Quickboard for timber house cladding
Exterior timber looks great on a Sydney street, but sun, rain and salt are hard on it.
- Choose exterior lining boards rated for outdoor use, and check the supplier’s data sheet, because interior boards swell and split in the weather.
- Fix over a drained cavity so water that gets behind the boards can escape, which is what protects the frame.
- Flash every opening around windows, doors and penetrations before the first board goes on.
- Use corrosion-resistant fixings near the coast, because ordinary screws stain and fail in salt air.
- Seal every cut end and edge before fixing, since end grain drinks water first and starts rot.
- Plan a regular recoat, because timber facade cladding fades and greys without an exterior finish applied to the label.
Our exterior cladding guide compares timber with fibre cement and metal, and our cladding panels guide covers sheet products.
Quickboard timber vertical cladding and batten options
- Run boards vertically to shed water faster and make low ceilings look taller.
- Use vertical timber batten cladding over a breathable wrap and a cavity, never straight onto brick or render.
- Choose outdoor wood panels with a profile that drains, not flat boards with tight horizontal joints.
- Stagger joints on long walls so end joins don’t line up and form a visible seam.
- Allow for movement by leaving the expansion gap the manufacturer specifies at each end.
- Keep timber off the ground and clear of garden beds, which splash soil and moisture onto the lowest boards.
Quickboard ceiling lining and internal timber cladding
Indoors, quickboard is easier to install and finish because it’s protected from weather.
- Use quickboard ceiling lining in hallways, verandahs and alfresco rooms where you want a warm timber look without heavy beams.
- Pick hardwood lining boards where you want durability, and softwood where budget matters, and check the grade before ordering.
- Consider interior plywood wall cladding for a lower-cost, flatter look that you can paint or clear-coat.
- Add acoustic or insulation batts behind timber ceiling lining boards if noise or heat bother you.
- Keep boards away from heat sources such as flues, downlights and heaters, which need the clearances on their instructions.
- Have a licensed electrician move wiring and lights before the lining goes up.
Our internal timber cladding guide covers wood cladding interior details, and our VJ panelling guide covers the traditional grooved look.
Quickboard vs aluminium slats, Colorbond slats and fencing
| Option | Look | Upkeep | Price band |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quickboard and timber boards | Natural grain and warmth | Regular oiling or repainting | $$ |
| Aluminium slats | Wood-grain or powder-coated finish | Wipe down occasionally | $$$ |
| Colorbond slats (also searched as colourbond slats) | Clean, modern lines in factory colours | Rinse, with no repainting | $$$ |
| Horizontal aluminium slat fencing | Privacy with a contemporary line | Very low | $$$ |
| Aluminium slat fencing vertical | Taller look, easier to rack on slopes | Very low | $$$ |
| WPC and composite boards | Timber look without the oiling | Low, with occasional washing | $$ to $$$ |
Fencing is a separate trade, so book a licensed fencing contractor for those rows. For a closer look at composites, read our WPC composite cladding guide.
Japanese burnt wood cladding and rustic finishes
- Understand the process: Japanese burnt timber cladding is charred, brushed and sealed, and the finish varies from deep black to silver.
- Don’t assume charred means fireproof, and check the bushfire attack level for your site before choosing timber.
- Use a sealed product outdoors, because loose char rubs off on clothing and brickwork.
- Choose rustic sawn or reclaimed boards for texture, and expect knots, colour variation and gaps.
- Consider plywood panel systems such as Shadowclad where you want a grooved, sheet-based look.
- Ask for a sample and view it in sun and shade before you commit.
Read our rustic timber cladding guide for weathered looks, and our Shadowclad guide for plywood panel details.
Cheapest cladding: quickboard costs against the alternatives
| Cladding | Typical installed cost (AUD per m²) | Hidden costs |
|---|---|---|
| Quickboard or lining boards | $100–$300 (indicative — get itemised quotes) | Finish, sealing, cavity battens and flashings |
| Treated pine boards | $80–$200 (indicative — get itemised quotes) | Regular repainting and movement |
| Interior plywood | $60–$160 (indicative — get itemised quotes) | Interior use only, plus painting |
| Aluminium or Colorbond slats | $180–$400 (indicative — get itemised quotes) | Fixing rails and end trims |
| WPC composite boards | $150–$350 (indicative — get itemised quotes) | Clips, trims and expansion gaps |
Quickboard installation and finishing essentials
- Test pre-1990 walls and ceilings for asbestos before cutting or drilling, and stop work if the result is positive.
- Check council and bushfire rules for exterior cladding, since some areas restrict timber on the building face.
- Acclimatise the boards on site, off the ground and under cover, before fixing.
- Fix battens first to create a flat, ventilated plane that lines up with the framing.
- Finish with a product made for the use, following the label for coats, drying times and ventilation.
- Book a licensed painter for exterior finishing, because ladders, scaffolding and coating prep are not a weekend job.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Fixing exterior boards tight to the wall, which traps moisture and invites rot behind them.
- Leaving cut ends bare, so water wicks in and boards swell, split or stain.
- Using the wrong fixings, which rust and leave streaks down the face.
- Skipping the sample, so the colour looks different once it’s on a full wall.
- Ignoring bushfire and council rules, and paying to rip boards off later.
- Comparing quotes by price only without matching board, finish, flashings and cavity.
Timber cladding FAQs
Is quickboard suitable for exterior cladding?
It can be, if the specific product is rated for outdoor use, which you must confirm on the data sheet. Outdoors, timber needs a cavity, flashings and a maintained finish. Interior-grade boards swell and split in the weather, so don’t assume a lining board works outside.
What is the cheapest cladding for a house?
Treated pine and plywood boards usually cost least up front, but they need regular repainting. Composites and metal slats cost more at first and save on upkeep. Compare installed prices over ten years, and ask for itemised quotes that include finishes, flashings and trims.
What is Japanese burnt wood cladding?
It’s timber that has been charred, brushed and sealed to create a dark, textured surface, often called yakisugi. Charring does not make a wall fireproof, so check your bushfire rating. Sealing matters, because loose char marks clothing and brickwork if left untreated.
Can you use interior plywood as wall cladding?
Yes indoors, if you finish it properly. Interior plywood suits feature walls and rooms with stable humidity. Don’t use it outdoors or in wet areas, because it delaminates when it stays damp. Fix it to a flat frame and seal every cut edge.
Next step: get your cladding checked and quoted
Before you order boards, confirm the wall, the rules and the finish. Book a licensed painter or cladding installer to measure up, check for asbestos and give you an itemised quote in Sydney.
