{"id":8023,"date":"2026-09-07T12:34:59","date_gmt":"2026-09-07T10:34:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.backforce.be\/?p=8023"},"modified":"2026-09-08T10:14:15","modified_gmt":"2026-09-08T08:14:15","slug":"wooden-or-aluminium-supporting-structure-for-cladding-which-is-actually-better-value","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.backforce.be\/en\/houten-of-aluminium-draagstructuur-voor-gevelbekleding-wat-is-echt-voordeliger\/","title":{"rendered":"Wooden or aluminium support structure: which is actually better value?"},"content":{"rendered":"

When installing cladding, a timber support structure often appears to be the most cost-effective option. The cost of the material is generally lower than that of aluminium. However, if you only consider the purchase price, you are only seeing part of the picture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After all, what happens when you also take into account material wastage, installation time and long-term performance? We compare wood and aluminium using the example of a fa\u00e7ade clad with Alinel<\/a> cladding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How much does a wooden or aluminium support structure cost?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

For a timber support structure <\/strong>In this example, you\u2019ll pay approximately \u20ac20 per m\u00b2<\/strong>. For a aluminium support structure <\/strong>As with RGL8, the cost of materials is approximately \u20ac25 per m\u00b2<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That is a price difference of approximately 25%. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Material loss reduces the price difference<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Wooden battens are not always perfectly straight. Because of warped or unusable battens, you need to allow for a wastage of approximately 15% when constructing a wooden supporting structure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a result, the actual cost of timber in this example quickly rises from \u20ac20 to around \u20ac23 per m\u00b2. This reduces the difference compared with aluminium to just \u20ac2 per m\u00b2.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And the installation hasn\u2019t even started yet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A wooden support structure takes longer to assemble<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

A traditional timber support structure for vertical Alinel cladding usually requires both horizontal and vertical battens. This dual structure requires extra material, but above all, extra labour hours.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Furthermore, the wooden slats must be carefully selected, positioned and aligned. Any irregularities in both the substrate and the wood must be accommodated during installation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That takes time. And time costs money.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Alinel cladding on top of a timber supporting structure<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Alinel cladding mounted on an RGL8 aluminium supporting structure<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

RGL8 has been developed to speed up installation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

RGL8 by Backforce<\/a> is an adjustable aluminium support structure suitable for all types of cladding. The system is easy to align and quick to install, meaning that fitters spend less time creating a level and stable base for the cladding. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In practical terms, this means the following for the installation of Alinel:<\/p>\n\n\n\n