Why Use Thermally Modified Hemlock For Your Replacement Siding?

When it comes to selecting replacement siding, your siding material decision is crucial. This guide explores the advantages of using a thermally modified, budget friendly, real wood option. One that stands out in the realm of high-quality replacement siding, and you might be missing out. 

A cabin in the woods shows off gorgeous replacement wood siding using ThermaWood FR hemlock

In this article:

Assessing Your Choices: Exploring High-Quality Replacement Siding Options

Thermawood FR is well suited to contemporary design, used above on the exterior walls, soffits and overhangs

What to Consider:

Choosing the right replacement siding involves careful consideration. Factors such as durability, maintenance, and visual appeal should be at the forefront of your decision-making process.

If you are considering Western Red Cedar or other kiln-dried wood siding, or non-wood siding materials like fiber cement, there's one more that should make your list. It might just land at the top of it: Mataverde ThermaWood FR Wood Siding. 

What is so special about ThermaWood FR? It a thermally modified hemlock siding that is also treated with Thermex-FR, a non-toxic fire retardant that permanently bonds with the hemlock at a cellular level. These two processes create a modified siding material that is harder, stronger, easier to work with. The processes also significantly increase the hemlock's resistance rot, decay, insect damage and moisture like a champ.

RELATED: What Is Thermally Modified Hemlock Wood Siding? 

Consider the comparison of ThermaWood FR compared to other popular replacement siding like fiber cement siding or kiln dried siding. Both of these materials are known to be brittle, susceptible to breakage, and moisture damage.

Thermawood FR siding is lower maintenance. If left natural, the modified wood requires very little finishing or re-finishing, especially compared to softwoods like Western Red Cedar and Redwood. The strength also saves you on repairs and replacement compared to more brittle fiber cement or less resilient non-modified softwoods.

Meets Your Exterior Project Budget and Timeline:

Another view of the beautiful cabin exterior renovation project using ThermaWood FR

RELATED: See more about the above project in "Remarkable Fire Retardant Wood Siding Transforms Exterior Design"

The high price and limited availability of the upper grades of softwoods like redwood and red cedar, may make them price prohibitive. The strongest wood siding is made from hardwoods like Ipe, Jatoba, Machiche, or Garapa. These hardwoods are known for their high density fiber strength. However, they may have a higher upfront cost that may not match your budget.

ThermaWood FR is:

• more budget-friendly compared to hardwoods like Ipe and Garapa, while still giving you some comparable characteristics
• significantly less costly than Western Red Cedar but is comparable in looks.
• much more readily available than Cedar
• sustainable sourced and has a low carbon footprint

ThermaWood FR not only provides a visually appealing solution but also offers cost savings. Its durability and resistance to various elements is made significantly higher than its non-modified counterpart. These characteristics make it a wise investment with long-term benefits for your home.

RELATED: Remarkable Fire Retardant Wood Siding Transforms Exterior Design

ThermaWood FR helps you meet your sustainability goals, too. Learn how with the

Ultimate Guide to Building Green with Wood Rainscreen Siding

"One of the biggest pluses of ThermaWood FR is that it’s a sustainable product. It’s produced here in North America and it’s also available as a PEFC Certified Canadian timber. The carbon footprint is low. It’s a pretty tight loop between Western Canada, where the Hemlock is from; Montana, where it’s thermally modified and milled; and Washington State, where it is fire-treated."

- Perry Alibrio, Western Regional Manager for Mataverde

From Is ThermaWood FR Redefining Fire Treated Wood Siding?

Prioritize Durability and Visually Appealing Siding Materials:

In the quest for replacement siding, prioritize materials that offer both durability and visual appeal. ThermaWood FR excels in providing a balance between: curb appeal for a home you can be proud of; siding resilience, ensuring a wise investment for your home.

Although high-density hardwood siding options are difficult to stain and impossible to paint, ThermaWood Hemlock siding takes stains and paint very well. Most of the popular brands of exterior oil-based exterior stains and finishes work very well with ThermaWood.

RELATED: ThermaWood FR Wood Siding Project Photo Gallery

The Ultimate Guide to Building Green with Wood Rainscreen Siding includes more pro tips and design ideas for replacing your siding with a longer lasting siding system. Download your free copy here. 

What Benefits Will Thermally Modified Wood Siding Give You?

For home or business, small or large, ThermaWood FR is an inviting contrast material. 

ThermaWood FR brings a host of benefits to the table versus non-modified hemlock. And other popular siding softwoods, like Western Red Cedar and Redwood.

Thermal Modification Process:

Stability and resistance to rot, decay and moisture damage. The resilience of thermally modified wood siding is significantly increased. 

Better resistance to insects and decay versus non-modified hemlock, and other popular softwoods such as Western Red Cedar and Redwood. This equals not only siding longevity but also less maintenance!

Thermally Modified Wood siding can still be painted or stained, or show the heat deepened natural colors off,  using oil-based finishes re-applied as needed. ThermaWood FR can also be naturally aged to silver-gray with less maintenance than its non-modified counterpart requires.

RELATED: Finish Options for Wood Siding

Fire Retardant Treatment:

When the thermally modified Hemlock undergoes Thermex-FR fire retardant treatment, it becomes:

• Harder, more durable. While the fire retardant treatment makes your exterior siding more resistant to ignition by flames in an emergency, it also gives the everyday bonus of the unique fire retardant treatment that bonds at the wood's cellular level is that it  increases the hardness and durability of your siding.  
• Lightweight and Easy to Handle: Unlike traditional kiln-dried lumber, ThermaWood FR is lighter and easier to handle during installation.

RELATED: Request a Sample of ThermaWood FR here and see it for yourself

Click the photo below to watch the non-toxic Thermex-FR process:

Choosing ThermaWood FR for your replacement siding is a good decision because it goes beyond just the immediate benefits. It's an investment in the durability, aesthetics, and long-term value of your home. Prioritize a siding material that not only enhances your home's appearance but also minimizes the need for future repairs and upkeep. Make the smart choice with ThermaWood FR and enjoy the benefits for years to come.