Thermo-Treated
Wood: No Chemicals Added:
What is Thermally
Modified Wood?
Thermally Modified wood 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. These conditions are needed to prevent the
wood from combusting, which takes place at temperatures over
300º F.
Why Use Thermally Modified Wood?
- Durability: 25 year life span can be
expected for exterior applications
- Moisture Repulsion: The process seals
the cellular structure of the wood making it impervious
to water and moisture
- Stabilization: Swelling and shrinkage
is reduced as well as cracking and checking
- Color: Consistent brown color all the
way through to the very center of the board
- Chemical Free: Chemicals are not used
in the Thermo-Treatment process which makes this product
an environmentally friendly alternative.
Milling:
Sawing: Sawing does not differ much from
sawing untreated wood. Because of the stabilization from the
heat treatment, distortion of the wood is greatly reduced
after sawing. Since the heat treatment eliminates the resins
in the wood, machines require little cleaning after milling.
Planing: Machines well using all normal
methods. Sharp Cutters provide the best results, as with all
woods.
Milling: Blades must be sharp, otherwise
tearout may occur. Milling across the grain may increase tear
out. Tearout is most likely to take place at the end of a
board where there is a thick piece of wood behind the blade.
Careful planning should be taken into consideration.
Sanding: Material sands generally the same
as untreated wood. Due to the absence of resins in the wood
that has been crystallized in the process, the sand paper
does not load up like it does with untreated woods.
Surface treatment: Use surface treatment
that will protect against Ultra Violet radiation in order
to prevent color changes and surface shakes. Take into account
that thermally modifed wood has lower water absorption than
normal wood and needs a longer time to penetrate the wood.
Oil-based substances work just as well as they would with
normal wood.
Gluing: Longer Processing time is needed
for the glue to be absorbed by the Thermo-treated wood, especially
when using water based glues. Because the thermally modified
wood has a low moisture absorption, penetration and drying
time of the glue is increased.
Screwing: Heat treatment reduces the splitting
strength of the wood. The use of self-tapping or pre-drilling
hardware is recommended. Also, the use of stainless steel
screws with fewer threads and countersunk heads is recommended
for external use and in humid environments. We recommend not
using galvanized fasteners as they tend to leave bleed marks
on the woods surface over time.
Nailing: It is recommended to use a compressed
air gun with depth control since hammer contact with the wood
promotes splitting. To reduce the risk of discoloration from
metal nails, the use of stainless steel nails is recommended.
Small oval head nails help to reduce the risk of splitting
as well.
For more information on thermally modifed
woods, please visit this website
In
Stock Thermally Modified Wood: We are now carrying
a couple of the thermally modified wood species in stock.
We have a little bit of 4/4 and 8/4 Thermo
Poplar on hand as well as some 4/4 Thermo
Ash. We can also bring in other thermally modifed
woods as well, including: Birch, Maple, Red Oak, or Cherry.
Thermally
Modified Poplar Decking: With the "Green"
movement controlling a lot of the markets these days, finding
environmentally friendly alternatives to pressure treated
or exotic decking materials is a must. One alternative we
have found is with the Thermally Modified Poplar decking.
Because of the heat treatment process, the lumber is much
more stable as well as decay and water resistant, which makes
it very suitable for decking material. With the fact that
poplar trees grow rather quickly, they can produce plentiful
amounts of clear, defect free lumber, and very cost effective
compared to other decking products, makes Thermally Modified
Poplar decking a great choice for a "Green" tomorrow.
See
the Thermally Modified Wood in action: We are
going to be occupying booth numbers 131 and 132 at the Pennsylvania
Renewable and Sustainable Living Festival September 18 - 20
at the Kempton Fairgrounds. Come check it out.
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