Most renovations in and around Dendermonde run into the same question: padauk, thermowood, Douglas fir or hardwood — which timber suits this house, in this spot, for this budget? A façade in the shade of a castle estate in Grembergen tells a different story from a new build in Oudegem.
Bear Wood delivers cladding throughout the municipality of Dendermonde (9200): Grembergen, Oudegem, Appels, Sint-Gillis-bij-Dendermonde, Baasrode, Schoonaarde and Mespelare.
Three timbers compared at a glance
| Timber | Indicative service life | Stable in damp conditions | Maintenance | Price range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Padauk | 25-30 years | Excellent | 0-1× every 5 years | €€€ |
| Thermowood | 20-25 years | Very good | 1× every 2-3 years | €€ |
| Douglas fir | 15-20 years | Good (treated) | Annually to retain colour | € |
Padauk is the safe choice for a house you do not want to maintain yourself — it weathers to grey naturally and needs no annual care. Thermowood is the middle road: dimensionally stable, a handsome dark brown, more affordable. Douglas fir is the budget option if you are willing to keep the colour up with care.
Permits and exceptions in Dendermonde
In the municipality of Dendermonde, façade renovation follows the Flemish rules: small changes in the same plane and without adding volume usually require notification rather than a permit. For landmark buildings in the centre (around the Grote Markt) an opinion from the municipal spatial planning committee is often required — check this in advance via [email protected].
New builds or substantial changes to a façade require an environmental permit.
Installation in three steps
1. Fit the substructure (horizontal battens at 40-60 cm centres, depending on wind load). 2. Add insulation if it is part of the renovation — rock wool or wood fibre board. 3. Fix the timber boarding with open joints (3-5 mm) for ventilation.
Installation by a professional takes an average of 2-4 working days for a standard terraced-house façade in Dendermonde.
What does it cost at Bear Wood?
Indicative material prices for an average Dendermonde façade (±40 m²):
- Douglas fir: from €1,850
- Thermowood: from €2,600
- Padauk: from €4,200
Excluding delivery — you will see that at checkout based on your address. The price becomes binding when the quotation is confirmed.
Cheaper elsewhere? Under our Lowest Price Guarantee we will match the price on proof of a competing, equivalent offer.
Delivery and collection
Delivery 2-3 weeks after a confirmed quotation. Delivery cost is calculated at checkout based on postcode. Collection at one of our Flemish locations is possible — availability depends on timber type and volume.
Common mistakes on a façade project in Dendermonde
A façade renovation lasts 20+ years if the basics are right. Four pitfalls we regularly see customers in and around Dendermonde make:
- The wrong timber for the local climate. Untreated spruce or Douglas fir without protection will fail within a few years in a damp spot. For a long service life choose padauk or thermowood, or plan active annual maintenance if you go with a cheaper species.
- Substructure at the wrong centres. Battens spaced too far apart means sagging boards and visible waves after a couple of seasons. Keep to 40-60 cm centres, depending on board thickness and wind load.
- No ventilation gap behind the cladding. Timber needs air to shed moisture. Open joints of 3-5 mm and a substructure at least 22 mm deep are standard good practice.
- Skipping the permit or notification. Where the façade mass stays the same, a notification through the Omgevingsloket is usually enough. Landmark buildings often need an additional opinion. Ignoring either leads to a penalty payment or a stop-work order.
Frequently asked questions — cladding in Dendermonde
Which timber suits my façade best? Three common choices for Dendermonde: padauk (25-30 year service life, virtually maintenance free, weathers to grey), thermowood (20-25 years, dark brown, oil every 2-3 years) and Douglas fir (15-20 years treated, annual protection to retain colour). Send us a photo of your façade and your preferred style and we will match the right option.
How long does delivery take? Normally 2-3 weeks after a confirmed quotation. Delivery cost is calculated at checkout based on your postcode and volume.
Roughly what does cladding cost per m²? Indicative material prices vary widely by timber: from around €45/m² for Douglas fir, about €65/m² for thermowood and €95/m² for padauk (boards only, excluding substructure and fixings). You will get a complete material price for your square metrage in the quotation.
Can I combine insulation with timber cladding? Yes. In a renovation where the façade is being opened up anyway, this is the ideal moment to place rock wool or wood fibre board between the batten structure. Mention in your quotation request that you want to include insulation.
Do you offer collection as an alternative to delivery? Yes, collection is possible at one of our locations in Flanders. Which location is available depends on timber type and volume — we arrange that after your order.
Does the Lowest Price Guarantee apply here too? Yes. Found an identical offer (same timber, specification, volume, Belgian supplier) cheaper elsewhere? Send us the quotation. We will match our price.
Request your free quotation — ideally send a photo of the façade plus the timber you have in mind, and you will get a fast answer.
