New Fire-Retardant Treated Wood Siding Building Portfolio

Fire safety is essential in any fire zone building project. But achieving that safety should not have to come at the cost of the desired aesthetics and design flexibility. We are excited to introduce the new Featured Project Portfolio showcasing the inspiring possibilities of Mataverde ThermaWood FR Hem-Fir siding!

In this article: 

• Inspiring Project Portfolio Now Available
  
  

• Huge Benefits for Architects and Home Builder

• There's More To Explore

 

A new downloadable portfolio features four completed projects, submitted by four of our valued and experienced customers, that trusted Mataverde ThermaWood FR Hem-Fir to create stunning results. From modern to rustic, you'll find different design styles that illustrate the versatility of this above-average fire-retardant treated wood siding material.

 

Inspiring Project Portfolio Now Available

When you dive into the portfolio and explore four unique projects, you will quickly see the powerful advantages of Mataverde ThermaWood FR Hem-Fir showcased and why it was selected. See why respected architects, home builders, and discerning homeowners chose it as the perfect material when choosing a fire-retardant treated building material. Whether your next wood siding project in a WUI or IWUI fire zone is modern, rustic, traditional, or anything in between,  learn why it might be right for yours, too. 

Lake Tahoe Lodge:

This stunning lodge inspired home features clean lines and a warm, inviting aesthetic achieved with our FR Hem-Fir siding in a natural finish. Contrasting with gray siding accents, the homeowners wanted a fresh start in the older home they renovated and didn't want to give up the real wood lock they imagined. 

"It fit everything I wanted!"

- Andrew Byer, Homeowner and general contractor of the modern lodge renovation pictured above. 

Bay Area Luxury:

Experience the gorgeous clear vertical grain of this thermally modified Hemlock used in vertical siding on a modern custom home. It was then stained a custom color to create the look they designed. Moisture resistance, stability, and stainability were very important to this project. 

"The bottom line is the performance. It's been installed [for several months] and performed in heat and wet without buckling, cupping, or having any problems.” 

- Tom Wharton, Owner at T J Built Construction, on the custom home built on the San Francisco Bay pictured above.

Sprawling Hillside Retreat:

ThermaWood was used inside and out on this custom home in an area  recently affected by wildfire, and is now zoned for International Wildlife-Urban Interface Code (IWUI) approval by the California Department of Forestry & Fire protection ( or "Cal Fire"). Fire-retardant treated, stained, ThermaWood FR Hem-Fir was used on the exterior and the pool house. It is a consistent, welcoming, and gorgeous look and feel.

"Just the fact that it was cheaper than the Cedar, the same labor to use it and put in the details that we want, I think that made it a no-brainer. Really, there was no reason to not go with it”

- Robin Guilfoyle, Owner, RobinWood Construction, on selecting ThermaWood FR for the wildfire rebuild pictured above. 

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Suburban Escape:

The homeowner of this contemporary home was focused on a warm, natural wood welcome to contrast with cement accents while still meeting the fire codes in his area. The design vision features wood soffits that highlight an angular roofline.

"Working with ThermaWood FR was a great experience” 

- Jeff Fulmer, Builder, on installing the siding pictured above.

Huge Benefits for Architects and Home Builders

With ThermaWood FR Hem-Fir as an option, it's no longer about just settling for any fire-resistant house siding material and making it work anymore. It's about having the option of a strong, better-made fire-retardant treated siding that meets the high requirements for International Wildland Urban Interface (IWUI) and Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) code zones, is real natural wood, and allows you to build your exterior as envisioned and designed. 

The thermal modification process and fire-retardant treatment used on Mataverde ThermaWood FR Hem-Fir offers notable differences to the standard fire-retardant or fire-treated siding options. 

• Safe and non-toxic thermal modification and fire-retardant treatment process
• Fire-retardant is permanent, bonding at the cellular level of the wood not just the surface. 
• Made from sustainable, North American lumber with a small carbon footprint. 
• Recyclable at the end of its long useful lifecycle.
• Adds durability and insect resistance to the wood.
• Classified as "ignition resistant", both WUI and IWUI fire code approved. 
• Passed the California natural weathering tests for exterior use.
• The fire retardant treatment process works so well outdoors it is covered by a limited lifetime warranty.
  
  

Let's expand on some of the optimal benefits:

WUI AND IWUI Approved: Safety first! Mataverde ThermaWood FR Hem-Fir has a permanent fire-retardant treatment approved for International Wildland Urban Interface (IWUI) and Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) zones. It also passed the California 10-Year Weathering Test.

Thermally Modified Strength: ThermaWood FR is hemlock that has been strengthened by heat and steam in a pressure kiln. This gives you a strong siding board without brittleness, (compared to pressure treated Hemlock) so it's easier to work with, and cooks all the wood sugars out making it unattractive to insects. It is proven to be a durable, stable siding material that is moisture resistant and long-lasting.

Get your copy of the ThermaWood FR Hem-Fir Featured Project Portfolio here:

Aesthetics: ThermaWood FR Hem-Fir offers unparalleled beauty. This thermally modified wood boasts a rich, natural color palette deepened by heat and a clear vertical grain that adds depth and character to any exterior design. It has frequently been compared favorably to Western Red Cedar by customers but meets a lower project budget.

A close up detail of the heat-darkened wood tones of thermally modified Mataverde ThermaWood Hem-Fir. 

"The wood looks amazing!"

- Eric Jensen, Homeowner of the "Suburban Escape" project, above and below. 

ThermaWood FR Hem-Fir is well suited to architectural details like soffits, since no additional fire-resistant backing is required to meet IWUI and WUI fire codes like this area in Idaho.  

Design Versatility: Building in a International Wildland-Urban Interface code zone doesn’t have to limit your vision. ThermaWood FR Hem-Fir siding does not need any additional fire treated backing. Unlike many fire-resistant siding materials, fire-retardant treated ThermaWood FR comes in a variety of board sizes and profiles to help create your preferred reveal without additional adaptation. It is even paintable and stainable with the right oil-based finish.

“I didn't want to adapt [fire retardant treated] siding material. I wanted something that was flush and looked very modern and contemporary." 

 - Chris Cahill, Architect, CahillStudio, on creating the reveal he designed for the "Hillside Retreat" project pictured above, below, and the project video below. 

ThermaWood Hem-Fir was used on the interior walls and ceilings of the Hillside Retreat project and ThermaWood FR Hem-Fir was used outside the home including soffits and outbuildings. Learn more in the Featured Project Portfolio. 

RELATED: ThermaWood FR Hem-For Siding Project Photo Gallery has more beautiful design examples

Don't wait, download your copy of the ThermaWood FR Hem-Fir featured project portfolio and get more details on successful these projects here: 

There's More to Explore

Delve into the design stories. Click the link on each project name and read the background behind them, including interviews with the architects, builders, and homeowners.

Take a virtual tour. Experience the beauty of a completed project that captures the craftsmanship and stunning visuals possible with ThermaWood FR Hem-Fir: 

Experience the quality and beauty firsthand. Request a sample today and see for yourself why we are confident it will elevate your next siding design.

Fire-retardant treated wood, superb aesthetics, infinite design possibilities. Mataverde ThermaWood FR Hem-Fir always gives its all to your design. Download your free copy of the ThermaWood FR Hem-Fir Featured Project Portfolio today and get inspired to create your dream home exterior!

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