Stylish, pre-finished sustainable timber boards for your walls

The use of internal timber cladding has gained huge traction of late, with people no doubt seduced by the warmth and texture that the material brings into a space. But what of the effect on the environment? We profiled a fabulous timber panel company recently and today we bring you another similar find, Glosswood, a Perth outfit with a sustainability focus.

Established in 1998 by husband and wife duo Peter and Pam Thomson, Glosswood’s range not only looks gorgeous but it’s ideal for the eco-conscious too. “Our impressive range of pre-finished timber lining boards are a sustainable alternative to using native hardwoods, as they are made from Paulownia which is a sustainable plantation timber,” says Jess Thomson who manages sales and marketing for the company.

I hadn’t heard of Paulownia before but it sounds like a miracle species. Because it can grow up to two metres a year it can be harvested at 10-12 years unlike pine which is harvested at 20 years and jarrah at 70 years. The timber can also reshoot up to six times before replanting is required and despite being extremely lightweight, it’s a stable hardwood that is renowned for its resistance to cupping and warping. It’s also less attractive to termites than pine or jarrah. What’s not to love?

“In the late 1990’s, native forest logging was the normal practice. Peter and Pam wanted to offer a timber product range that was sustainable and ticked all the green boxes. To do this, they searched for alternatives, and then developed innovative coating applications to make Paulownia look like many other timber species. Paulownia has a beautiful grain and is easily moulded and coated,” says Jess.

Aside from the sustainability of the timber, the product is coated in a low-VOC water-based UV coating system and comes in a range of widths, finishes and profiles. “Mostly the products show the natural woodgrain and celebrate the beautiful attributes of the timber,” says Jess of the range that is designed for walls and ceilings and both internal and undercover use and can be installed by a confident DIY-er or qualified carpenter. “Our boards are lightweight and have a tongue and groove profile, which makes installation an easy process. The timber boards are also pre-finished which means there is no sanding or painting required,” says Jess.

“Our most popular colours are the natural timbers, like cedar, spotted gum and teak, which have been favourites of late. The charcoal colour in the matte range has had a lot of interest, likely due to its rich, darker tone. It suits more contemporary design but still has a natural timber grain, and translates between both residential and commercial projects. Distressed white is another popular look that both designers and DIY-ers love!” says Jess.