Rabat is a timber profile with an overlap. The overlap parts are called rabatdelen. You use it to finish board screens, facades and fences so they stay tight and clean. It is the standard pick for cladding, fencing, garden houses and roof boards. At Houthandel Jan Sok in Meppel we supply rabat mostly in Douglas. Douglas is a softwood with a warm red brown colour and class 3 per EN 350. Two kinds lead the market: Swedish rabat, with a slanted overlap, and potdeksel boards. Both close tight against rain and give a straight, clean wall. That is a good fit for any cladding that faces weather and wind.
What it is
Rabat (from the French raboter, "to plane off") is a timber profile where one board overlaps the next. The overlap — the rabatdeel — sends rain down the joint instead of through it. That makes rabat a natural pick for facades, fences and garden houses that face weather and wind. In the yard rabat is almost always made in softwood. That is often Douglas (class 3 per EN 350). Douglas is strong, light and easy to work. It has a warm look that can grey on its own or be finished with oil.
Kinds: Swedish rabat and potdeksel boards
Swedish rabat — The most common kind. The board has a slanted overlap with a clear rabatdeel, so the joint falls a little inward and rain is carried away. Swedish rabat gives a clean, closed wall and is the standard for cladding and fencing.
Potdeksel boards — Here the boards overlap across, like roof tiles. The upper board covers the lower one, hence the name. Potdeksel is widely used for roof boards and side gables where extra water shed is wanted. Both kinds are in stock in Douglas from Houthandel Jan Sok — see our Douglas rabat.
Uses
Cladding — Rabat is the standard for timber cladding. The overlap closes tight and gives a clean look, modern or classic by the finish. How you fix it is set out in our rabat cladding fit guide.
Fencing — For a closed, wind tight fence without gaps, Swedish rabat is used. The board screens give privacy and shelter.
Garden house — Wall and roof of a garden house are often built in rabat. You can add a tight finish on the roof.
Roof boards — Rabat acts as the base under the roof cover. The tight finish stops rain getting under the roof cover.
Plus and minus
Plus — tight against rain through the overlap, clean look, light (softwood), easy to work. In Douglas it costs far less than hardwood. You can leave it grey or oil it as you prefer.
Minus — Douglas (class 3) is not right for lasting ground contact. Place posts on concrete pads or post feet. Wood with no oil greys, which is only the look and does not harm the frame. A clean look needs yearly care.
Care
Leave rabat with no oil and it greys on its own to a silver grey tone. That is only the look, with no harm to the frame. To keep the warm colour, treat the wood each year with oil or stain. Clean the facade once a year with water and a soft brush to lift algae and dirt. Check the overlap joints for damage and replace damaged boards in good time, so damage does not spread under the overlap.
Common questions
What is the difference between Swedish rabat and potdeksel?
Swedish rabat has a slanted overlap with a rabatdeel and is often used up and down for facades and fences. Potdeksel boards overlap across, like roof tiles, and are widely used for roof boards and side gables.
Can rabat go in the ground?
No. Rabat in Douglas (class 3) is not right for lasting ground contact. Place the posts on concrete pads or post feet. For lasting ground contact choose hardwood such as Okan or Azobe (class 1).
Do I have to treat rabat?
Not a must — rabat with no oil greys on its own, which is only the look and does not harm the frame. To keep the warm colour, treat it each year with oil or stain.
Is rabat weathertight?
Yes. The overlap (rabatdelen) sends rain down the joint, so the wall closes tight. For roof boards, rabat forms the tight base under the roof cover.