Find Out New Ideas For Your Succeeding Home Project
If you’re looking to enhance your home’s exterior, consists of American hardwoods in the mix. New, eco-friendly treatment procedures now help to make hardwood an excellent and great looking material selection for outdoor living spaces.
“American hardwoods throughout outdoor applications used to be taboo,” claims Linda Jovanovich of the American Hardwood Information Center. “These days, constraints and concerns are distant memories, and hardwoods are boldly being set up outdoors as siding, decking, fences – you name it – thanks to non-chemical heat treatments that strengthen the dimensional solidity and durability of this wonderful product.”
- A formula for accomplishment
Thermal modification is a non-toxic method that simply “cooks” wood in heat. During the procedure, oxygen is removed from the oven to avoid the wood from burning. The high heat – greater than 400 F – makes a naturally durable wood which is permanently resistant against water, insects as well as rot.
Bob Miller, director of sales and marketing intelligence at Frank Miller Lumber Company, states that because the treatment process noticeably reduces modified wood’s moisture content and limits its capability to absorb moisture, products are more dimensionally even – which makes them less prone to cupping, warping, expansion, and contraction with changes in humidity.
“The process also removes organic compounds from wood’s cells, getting rid of a food source for insects and fungi,” Miller adds. “Simply put, thermally modified wood is known as a natural as well as healthy alternative to chemically preserved, pressure-treated wood. And it’s really reasonably priced, too.”
- At home in the out-of-doors
Productively used in Europe since the eighties, thermally modified wood has been slow to migrate to America. But, Scott Seyler, who deals with export sales at Northland Forest Products, states that the resilience and dimensional constancy of thermally modified hardwoods are major advantages that interest homeowners who are looking at outdoor home-improvement projects.
“With all that thermally modified wood offers, it’s swiftly becoming trendy for siding, decking, trim, and flooring,” Seyler explains. “Depending on the specific course of treatment, locally sourced ash, poplar, maple, and other hardwoods are performing just as well, if not much better than cedar, popular imported species, and composite materials.”
- Finalizing it off
From the thermal modification process, a rich chocolate colour results, highlighting the wood’s natural beauty as well as displaying a deluxe look. But like any other wood, over time, if it’s not sealed, thermally modified hardwood will naturally weather to a shade of gray because of exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet rays.
“Most homeowners prefer the rich, dark hue of the modified wood, and decide not to apply a stain or to cover the grain pattern with paint,” claims Hal Mitchell, vice president of domestic sales at Atlanta Hardwood Corporation. “We do, however, highly recommend applying a UV-inhibitor sealant to all sides and ends of the wood, to retain its hue and avoid graying.” He added that, “Since thermally modified hardwood is resistant against water, water-based finishes might not perform well. We’ve learned that oil-based sealants and finishes perform best.
“I have a screened-in porch with tongue-and-groove flooring manufactured from thermally modified sweet gum,” Mitchell says. “It looks great and it is performing well simply because it doesn’t cup from contact with the elements. The material is great for outside applications if sealed properly. No other wood can do that based on my experience.”
- Seeking for ideas?
Consider adding timeless beauty to your home’s exterior with thermally modified American hardwoods. To find out more, check out the American Hardwood Information Center at www.HardwoodInfo.com for design ideas as well as inspiration.
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