Why Design with ThermaWood Thermally Modified Wood Siding?

If you are an architect designing residential or commercial exteriors, you already know that your choice of siding material plays a decisive role in defining the overall aesthetic. Plus, it affects both the longevity and environmental impact of your design. Mataverde ThermaWood Hem-Fir Siding is a smart, compelling solution: a real wood siding with an amazing visual allure, that’s environmentally responsible and offers exceptional performance..

ThermaWood Hem-Fir used on the façade, overhangs and soffits of this contemporary residential project

 

In this article:

What aesthetic options can ThermaWood Hem-Fir offer architects and home designers?

Does it meet the demand for sustainable and environmentally friendly siding material?

How does ThermaWood Hem-Fir compare in terms of durability and maintenance?

What are the performance characteristics ThermaWood Hem-Fir?

Is ThermaWood Hem-Fir a good alternative to Western Red Cedar?

Is there a high return on investment over the lifecycle of the siding?

What if the building site is in a fire zone? 

Why ThermaWood FR fire-retardant treatment is different than the rest.

 

ThermaWood Hem-Fir is a thermally modified wood siding that fulfills your design wish list: Beautiful good looks for curb appeal, impressive long-lasting strength, low maintenance needs, an upfront investment that meets your budget criteria, with a high return on investment for your client. If you haven't considered thermally modified wood siding before, don't miss out now. And if you have, don't overlook ThermaWood Hem-Fir as a possibility. It's a better made, higher quality option that can elevate your design. 

We answered the top 8 questions architects have about ThermaWood Hem-Fir here: 

 

 

Contemporary luxury home chose ThermaWood Hem-Fir FR, installed vertical and custom stained.

 

What aesthetic options can ThermaWood Hem-Fir offer architects and home designers?

ThermaWood Hem-Fir Siding is an elegant, richly colored, thermally modified natural Western Hemlock. The inherent grain patterns and wood tones, slightly darkened by heat during the thermal modification process, create a welcoming appearance and stunning curb appeal. There are more aesthetic benefits to be had: 

• ThermaWood Hem-Fir complements any architectural style, modern to traditional.
• Architects have consistently compared ThermaWood Hem-Fir to the look and color of Western Red Cedar.
• It boasts a coveted clear vertical grain and smooth look. 
• ThermaWood Hem-Fir is stunning when left natural with a clear finish, or allowed to weather to a natural gray.
• Or, it can be painted or stained to match your design palette.
• Suitable for indoor or outdoor use for a seamless design to outdoor living spaces.
• Appropriate for use on soffits, ceilings, and overhangs.
• Can be installed vertically, horizontally, or diagonally. 
  
• If you are building in a wildfire-prone zone, ThermaWood FR Hem-Fir is also available and offers all the benefits, plus permanent fire-retardant treatment. 

 

An example of the natural, color range of ThermaWood Hem-Fir thermally modified wood

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You can also request a sample of ThermaWood Hem-Fir, because seeing is believing.

Lake Tahoe area home renovation with a lodge aesthetic features ThermaWood Hem-Fir with a natural finish.   

Does it meet the demand for sustainable and environmentally friendly siding material?

Yes, and in several ways!

Mataverde is committed to responsibly harvested lumber. Mataverde ThermaWood Hem-Fir is sustainable from harvest to disposal. It's a highly sustainable and environmentally friendly siding choice.

• Sourced from responsibly managed forests in North America, with certification from the Program for the Endorsement of Forest Certification - Pacific Northwest (PFC).

• From forest to thermal modification to our distribution center, transport is a tight circle with a low carbon footprint, especially compared to imported wood species.

• The innovative thermal modification process used for ThermaWood Hem-Fir creates a better result than the rest. Using only high heat and steam in a high-pressure kiln, the result is a non-toxic, all natural treated siding material.

• The modified Hemlock eliminates the need for chemical treatments with a natural resistance to insects, moisture, rot, and decay made even higher through modification. 

• Increased durability equals longer-lasting siding, extending the lifetime use and the need for replacement.

• At the end of its lifecycle, you can safely and responsibly recycle ThermaWood Hem-Fir, instead of adding to the landfill.

Is our environmental policy important to your purchase? We're confident in our support of environmentally conscious, responsible, certified lumber harvesting.

Learn more about Mataverde's commitment to the environment here.

ThermaWood Hem-Fir for interior ceilings and walls and exterior soffits and siding for a seamless look.

How does ThermaWood Hem-Fir compare in terms of durability and maintenance?

It's known for its exceptional durability and low maintenance requirements, making it an ideal choice for both residential and commercial projects.

• ThermaWood thermally modified Hemlock performs over and above its unmodified counterpart, comparable to hardwood characteristics.

• The patented thermal modification process results in a less brittle, higher resilience wood siding than other thermally modified siding materials available.

• Resilient ThermaWood Hem-Fir is easier to install as designed, including custom architectural details, with less waste from breakage.

• The thermal modification process hardens the Hemlock and significantly increases the siding's resistance to rot, decay, and moisture. 

• Modification also removes the natural wood sugars, making it unappetizing to wood-boring insects.

Thermally modified Hem-Fir was used for the wood exterior siding and soffits.

What are the performance characteristics of ThermaWood Hem-Fir?

In addition to its aesthetic and durability benefits, ThermaWood Hem-Fir Siding offers a range of performance advantages.

• Versus unmodified Hemlock and popular softwoods like Cedar siding, ThermaWood gives your project substantial decay, rot, and mold resistance.

• Excellent resistance to warping, cracking, and splitting, ensuring long-lasting integrity and low incidence of repairs.

• Incredible insect resistance.
   

• High stability and bending strength. 

No time like the present to get your sample of ThermaWood Hem-Fir Wood Siding and see what all the excitement is about.

ThermaWood Hem-Fir thermally modified Hemlock siding on commercial small building

Is ThermaWood Hem-Fir a Good Alternative to Western Red Cedar?

Architects, designers and builders tell us they found ThermaWood Hem-Fir to be a viable and more affordable alternative to Western Red Cedar siding.

• ThermaWood Hem-Fir shares a similar warm, rich color with Western Red Cedar

• It offers better performance characteristics to Cedar in terms of durability and resistance to decay.

• It offers a unique clear vertical grain that is often hard to find in Cedar.

• ThermaWood Hem-Fir is much more budget-friendly than the current high costs then the upper grades of Western Red Cedar.

  
  

ThermaWood Hem-Fir soffits, overhangs, façade, and entryway contrasts the stone accents and hardscape to create a more inviting curb appeal. 

Is there a high return on investment over the lifecycle of the siding?

A robust solution to your design client’s wish list.

• A premium quality, real wood siding option at an affordable upfront cost. 

• Long-lasting, attractive curb appeal. Expect the color to last decades with minimum maintenance.

• Low long-term repair and maintenance costs, with less breakage, checking, or splitting than other thermally modified softwood. 

• A sustainable siding material than can be recycled, saving disposal costs. 

Pool house ADU with outdoor kitchen was built to match the main house, incorporating sustainable ThermaWood Hem-Fir in the ceiling, interior walls, pergola overhang, exterior siding, and soffits. 

Mataverde ThermaWood FR Hem-Fir unfinished planks of fire-treated lumber in our distribution center

What if the building site is in a fire zone? 

For projects located in wildfire-prone areas, ThermaWood offers its FR (Fire-Retardant treated) real wood siding option. Mataverde ThermaWood FR Hem-Fir is approved for WUI (Wildland Urban Interface), IWUI (Intermediate Wildland Urban Interface), and ICC (International Code Council) zones. This makes it a valuable choice for architects designing in regions with high fire risks.

Check out this video tour of a residence with ADU pool house, rebuilt with ThermaWood FR after a wildfire. See the gorgeous aesthetics and design versatility up close:

Why the ThermaWood FR fire-retardant treatment is different - and better - than the rest:

• A real wood fire-retardant treated siding option approved for WUI, IWUI, and ICC fire zones, meeting or exceeding the criteria.
• It boasts a permanent fire treatment that bonds at the cellular level of the wood.
• Increases your design versatility in fire-zone projects.
• Uses a non toxic, environmentally friendly pressure treatment, safe for people and pets to work and live around.

Would you agree that ThermaWood Hem-Fir Siding offers a compelling combination of curb appeal and performance? Its versatility, durability, and the fire resistant option make it an ideal choice for architects looking to create high-quality exteriors that match their vision. By specifying ThermaWood Hem-Fir, architects can enhance both the aesthetics and longevity of their projects, while also contributing to a more sustainable built environment.

If you have a project in mind for ThermaWood Hem-Fir or ThermaWood FR Hem-Fir and want to know more, please don't hesitate to Contact Us. Our team is ready to help you launch your project.