Mataverde thermowood deck at pool area

MATAVERDE THERMALLY MODIFIED WOOD

 

Mataverde therma wood logo

What is Mataverde Thermally Modified Wood?

Mataverde thermally modified wood starts out as a standard kiln dried wood species. Then, with a precise scientific method of heating the wood, under pressure, the original wood is transformed into a high performance thermally modified wood.  The thermal modification process makes the wood far more stable and it performs much better than the original wood species.  The thermal modification process essentially  'cooks' the acids and sugars out of the wood. Without the sugars, the food source for mold and insects is gone.  This makes thermally modified far more insect resistant and rot resistant than the original wood. 
 
Mataverde ThermaWood is available in 5/4 x 6 Decking, Tongue and Groove (T&G) siding, and Wood Rainscreen siding.
 
Mataverde ThermaWood FR is a thermally modified fire retardant treated wood siding and decking which works great in high fire hazard zones. It is non-toxic and ignition resistant.
 
Check out all the thermally modified wood siding and decking options:
 

Why use Mataverde thermally modified wood for your outdoor projects? 

  • STABILITY - Thermally modified wood is more stable than non-modified woods. This means there is far less less wood movement throughout the lifetime of the wood.  All woods expand when wetter, and shrink when drier. Thermally modified wood shrinks less when dry and expands less when wet.
  • DURABILITY - Thermally modifying wood changes the wood at the cellular level. Thermally modified wood becomes more resistant to rot and less desirable to insect infestation. So they last far longer than non-modified woods of the same species.
  • LOCAL - Thermal modification transforms several sustainably harvested North American wood species and allows them to perform as well as many tropical hardwood species.
  • NATURAL - The best thermal modification process uses only natural methods, like heat and pressure, to create a high-performance exterior decking, siding or lumber product. A better building material is created, without the need to add any chemicals or toxins.
Whether you are building a deck, recladding a home of building, or designing an award winning architectural project, Mataverde ThermaWood is a trustworthy option to consider.
 
 
 

What Makes Mataverde Thermally Modified Wood Stand Apart?

There are many different modified woods and thermal modification processes (and different wood species) that have been tested over the past several decades.  Not all thermally modified wood processes perform the same. We have researched and tested nearly all of the different modified woods and thermally modified wood processing options.  

Thermally Modified Western Hemlock (Hem-Fir) siding, trim and decking by MataverdeThermaWood Hemlock siding, trim and decking is naturally beautiful

The thermal modification process used to create Mataverde ThermaWood employs a unique method. This process utilizes a Danish autoclave 'vacuum' kiln, applying only high temperatures and pressure. This method consumes far less energy compared to other technologies.

Thanks to the ThermaWood process, which gently modifies wood under pressure at lower temperatures than standard methods, the wood is much less likely to crack, split, or check. This means there's less waste at your job site. Plus, the ThermaWood process is all-natural, using no chemicals or toxins, so you get top-notch wood products that really shine in outdoor settings!

 

The Beauty of Mataverde ThermaWood Hem-Fir: Color, Graining, and Grading

 

When typical Western Hemlock and Western Hem-Fir is modified into Mataverde ThermaWood, amazing things happen to its appearance. The woods become a little darker and richer, and there is less color variation from board to board. The Western Hemlock is transformed into a modified wood that looks a lot like the lighter tones of Western Red Cedar, which is known for its great looks.

Typical color variations in Mataverde ThermaWood Hem Fir can be enhanced with oil based stains or paint

 

Mataverde ThermaWood Hem Fir Grading

Mataverde ThermaWood selects only the finest grades of Western Hemlock available. The top grade is Mataverde A & Better Thermally Modified Hemlock, which features clear vertical grain and boards with a vertical grain appearance. Knots are minimal and confined to one side of the board. There is some mineral streaking, which is not considered a defect but rather a natural characteristic of this wood species.

Mataverde C & Better Thermally Modified Hemlock is the next best grade. In this grading category, you'll find primarily mixed grain and flat sawn Hemlock boards. This slightly more rustic grade of Hemlock features a fair amount of mineral streaking, and some knots are permitted per board. Most of these knots are small and secure.

If certain sections of the boards don't meet your aesthetic preferences, you can simply cut out those parts and utilize the remaining sections in your project.

 
 

Exceptional Physical Properties of Mataverde Thermally Modified Hemlock Wood

Beyond the natural beauty of ThermaWood Hem-Fir wood, you'll find this modified wood has some excellent mechanical properties and characteristics.

 

Highly Durable

  • The thermal process converts the acids and sugars, making the wood very resistant to fungi and insects.
  • The process also makes the cells of the wood nearly airtight, resisting water penetration. 
  • Both of these characteristics create a long-lasting modified wood for exterior usage.

Stronger Than Ever

Thermally modified Western Hemlock has some 'wow factor' strengths. It has a modulus of rupture of 12,693 psi.* That means it would take over 6 tons of pressure per square inch to bend the wood to the breaking point. Most thermal modification processes make the wood more brittle. Interestingly, the strength of ThermaWood Hem-Fir is increased with this unique modified wood process.

Exceptionally Stable

ThermaWood Hemlock is exceptionally stable and shows minimum expansion and contraction with moisture changes. Testing shows an average dimensional change of only 5%.*

*(above information courtesy of testing conducted by the University of Idaho and the University of Minnesota)

 

Interested in discovering more about Mataverde ThermaWood siding and decking options? Check out the pages below for additional details:

 
 
 

Mataverde ThermaWood Decking

 

Would you like to learn more about thermally modified wood decking?

 

DISCOVER MATAVERDE THERMAWOOD HEM FIR DECKING HERE


Mataverde ThermaWood Siding

Ready to see your thermally modified wood siding options?

 

THERMAWOOD HEM FIR RAINSCREEN SIDING INFO

 
 

Mataverde ThermaWood FR Hem-Fir Decking and Siding

Mataverde Thermawood Hem-Fir is also available with a fire retardant treatment for decking, siding and lumber.
ThermaWood FR uses an environmentally friendly, non-toxic formula applied under pressure that lasts outdoors indefinitely under the worst weather conditions.