Thermally modified wood is gaining market share in the U. S. as a chemical-free alternative to treated wood materials for outdoor applications, and domestic alternative to tropical woods. 85404 2249′ 15/16″ Cambia Thermal Yellow Poplar 8-12′ Lengths. But ultimately, thermally modified wood decking is still a natural wood product, and all exterior woods will age differently once they are exposed to outdoor weather conditions. The hardwood maple turned ebony black. Interested In Trying TherMac Lumber? Flooring installation requires extra caution with the degree of brittleness. Richness of the colour is determined by a combination of the species and the amount of time the wood spends in the kiln. Preferably species domestic to Minnesota. I compare it to a boxer who spends a few hours in the sauna prior to weigh in.
Symmetrical, structural end joint can float between joists. Thermal modification is a bit like baking bread. NRRI's journey with thermally modified wood started in 2001 with a referral from the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development that led to Donahue's introduction to Finland's industrial-scaled thermally modified wood industry. Bond sites on cell walls provide for dimensional movement in wood as they attract and release water molecules with environmental changes. Research and testing take off. Wood Weight Reduction From Torrefaction. Owning Our TechnologyOur proprietary process uses advanced technology and 20, 000 square ft. chambers to yield consistent, superior results in every batch. Having the woodworking bug this thermally modified lumber looked incredibly beautiful. BENCHMARK THERMO-ASH C5J. Additionally, tempered tonewoods may resonate louder, or at least differently than non-tempered woods. The Vikings, for example, were scorching the hulls of their ships hundreds of years ago to thwart rot and to keep barnacles and other marine life from hitching a ride.
Products with extraordinary longevity and rich, beautiful color. Ash is particularly well priced, and because it doesn't have to be LOSP treated like most other imported hardwoods, it is only slightly dearer than standard ash - including FSC certification. Environmentally friendly - The closed vacuum steam process is chemical free with lower temperatures, requiring less energy which makes this locally sourced material a better product for the environment. Rot ResistantEvery fiber of the board is naturally enhanced. That was five years ago and McNeil says he now has an "exciting customer base" in Australia, with a rapid demand increase in the last two years. "Joiners are a big part of our clientele and they are looking for alternatives to the likes of New Guinea rosewood and surian from South-East Asia. Cambia is produced from hardwoods that are harvested from North American temperate forests. Thermally modified wood is wood that is cured by raising its temperature to 390 degrees Fahrenheit, which in turn minimizes (if not completely eliminates) any deformities or problems that may occur throughout the natural dehumidification process.
The result is a world class thermally modified wood decking product that you can depend on. But to really make an impact in building interest in thermally modified wood, NRRI needed its own capability to thermally modify wood in pilot quantities for testing. He can be reached at 800-476-5393 / 706-865-3166 or via email. This process makes wood highly rot-resistant without having to infuse it with toxic chemicals as is the case with pressure-treated lumber. Product quality can vary due to initial lumber quality, treatment recipes, and kiln types. As the oils weather off and the wood ages, the color will start to lighten to softer brown tones.
That being said, thermally modified wood is still a great source when looking to build sustainably. If you are interested in learning more about our own Tantimber process, please visit. Thermal Modification is the process of gradually heating any species of lumber to temperatures of 410 - 450º F in a special chamber that has had the oxygen completely removed from the system. "Demand from architects, builders and the general public for certified sustainable products is also increasing, and when it comes to hardwoods, there simply isn't enough to go around - even in Australia. There are two basic treatment systems: open and closed. It follows that attempting to eliminate all water weight is unsafe. AHC operates a closed-system thermal modification plant in Cleveland, Georgia. However, if the wood enters the roasting kiln at the net finish dimensions, you have a problem. MacDonald & Owen Lumber Company stocks all the major species of Northern and Appalachian domestic hardwoods as well as imported lumber sourced from areas known throughout the world for producing the best color, texture and quality. Wood almost doesn't work any more (50-75% reduction in shrinkage/growth, nearly no water uptake). Learn more about the appearance options and life-cycle performance of Mataverde Thermally Modified Wood.
Aro received National Science Foundation funding to test a variety of engineered wood products – bending strength and stiffness, water absorption, screw-holding capability, hardness, and other properties with a prominent U. Current markets, particularly in Europe, consist heavily of three products: cladding, decking, and flooring. Sample products available: #81012 393′ 15/16″ Cambia Ash 8-12′ Lengths. Unfortunately, it also imploded. Take into account that thermally modified wood has lower water absorption than normal wood and needs a longer time to penetrate the wood. It's relatively inexpensive, durable, and can be stained or cut to the homeowner's liking. However, poor growing conditions cause the birdseye figuring.
I noticed this hardness in particular as I turned the bowl on the opposite page. The Thermowood process works exceptionally well with hardwoods, using only heat and steam. Chemicals in wood are dangerous to touch and breathe but you won't have to worry about that with thermally modified wood. Therma Wood Process. What will thermally modified wood look like as it ages? In the second step, the wood is preconditioned by drying it to nearly 0% moisture content. Typically, thermally modified wood is dried to 4. 6'-20' random length odds & evens.
Sherwood brings emerging trends to market and accelerates their growth through education from the homeowner all the way up to the dealer level. Right now it seems to be a niche product even in the decking industry. In: Rapp, A. O., Review On Heat Treatments of Wood. There are zero chemicals used to produce thermally modified lumber only heat and water. Thermally Modified™ Wood may be the first truly green lumber resource that performs better and costs less than the alternative wood species and substitute products developed to replace wood. Sustainably sourced. Wood exhibiting low Equilibrium Moisture Content (EMC) is resistant to cupping, twisting and warping. This wood resists decay, but it's totally free of chemicals. Easy to finish - Hemlock accepts stain easily, giving you limitless color options with a variety of finishes. Based engineered wood products manufacturer. A coat of oil finish with UV inhibitors will darken the color tone to a rich dark brown color, and help protect your wood as it seasons. Additional product information. "So we turned the problem on its head and found naturally nondurable but totally sustainable hardwoods in the United States that have been made durable by the Cambia thermal modification [torrefaction] process. " The decking in your home bears witness to numerous magnificent and memorable moments.
While nearly any wood can be altered in this way, the more commonly available thermally-modified hardwoods are poplar and ash, while softwoods include spruce, and southern yellow pine. Crosscutting produces ragged corners on both faces. Sustainability: By thermally modifying wood, you are increasing its life expectancy. To reduce the risk of discoloration from metal nails, the use of stainless steel nails is recommended. Cherry Forest Products not only has thermally modified lumber for sale but they also have a full line of decking and siding products that are made from thermally modified lumber. Thermally modified lumber is ideal for siding, decking, architectural millwork, cabinetry, furniture, flooring, paneling, trim, and much more.
For some reason, this often catches people by surprise. Becomes brittle: After heating the wood to such a high temperature, one of the most popular complaints is that the wood then becomes more brittle, which leaves one questioning just how stable the wood can be. As a result, the wood does not shrink or expand significantly in response to moisture level changes.
Still leaning on their contacts in Finland, they gleaned what insights they could about what it would take to get U. manufacturers onboard. "And we'll use their capabilities to explore and vet new wood species to bring to market. We provide green-on-lathe lumber in Red Oak, White Oak and Ash. To honor our products, we must first respect the environment they come from and seek innovative ways for the future of wood production. Available species: - Ash. Hidden in the forest, you arrive at a clearing with endless views over the... Real wood cladding has many functional benefits as well as a charming aesthetic. But the wood sands well and, afterward, the surfaces feel like burnished leather. One popular application is its use in making raised garden beds.