Build Project BriefOutdoor Living & Architecture · Timber systems guide
Architectural timber should be specified as a complete assembly rather than as a board or species in isolation. Application, exposure, profile, finish, substructure, drainage, ventilation, fixings, maintenance and destination requirements all belong in the project brief before the final timber package is released.
Cladding, decking, screens, gates, ceilings, outbuildings and prefabricated frame elements perform different jobs. Record whether the assembly is interior or exterior, horizontal or vertical, sheltered or exposed, coastal or inland, and how people will use or maintain it.
The destination and building type also determine which local structural, fire, moisture, accessibility or consent requirements need review by the project team.
The visible timber sits within a system of rails, joists, clips, battens, membranes, cavities, connectors and fixings. Profile geometry and the support arrangement affect drainage, ventilation, spacing, replacement and installation sequencing.
Where concealed-fix systems are selected, confirm the matching rails, clips, spacing and release or replacement pathway from current product information rather than mixing components from unrelated systems.
Thermally modified woods, Accoya, oak, Douglas fir, bamboo and reclaimed timber can have different appearance, movement, availability and finishing pathways. Not every profile is available in every species or treatment.
Samples and current finish information are useful where colour, brushing, pre-weathered appearance or architectural relief matters. Natural timber will still change with exposure and maintenance; avoid presenting one sample as a permanent colour guarantee.
Exterior timber assemblies need a deliberate path for water to drain and materials to dry. Open joints, cavities, membranes, end conditions, deck falls and substructure interfaces should be coordinated with the building or landscape rather than added after the boards are selected.
Apollo can provide current product and accessory information where available; project-specific weatherproofing and building-envelope design remain with the appointed design team.
Fire classifications, structural information, sourcing documentation, declarations, treatment data and other technical evidence may exist for selected products. Their relevance depends on the exact species, profile, treatment, assembly and destination.
Do not transfer a fire, structural or certification claim from one timber product to another because the appearance is similar. Where the exact evidence is incomplete, hold the claim and move the project into technical review.
Made-to-measure kits and factory-prepared components can reduce site fabrication, but the receiving project still needs foundations, access, lifting, dry storage, installer sequencing and a controlled drawing set.
Apollo supplies the agreed product package and current supporting information. Site measure, local engineering, consent, foundations, installation, weatherproofing interfaces and destination approvals remain project-specific responsibilities unless expressly included in writing.
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