Mataverde Thermally Modified Wood Decking

What is Thermally Modified Wood Decking?

Thermally modified woods start out as a standard wood species, and through various different scientific heating and steaming processes, are transformed into a thermally modified wood. In general, thermally modified wood become a more stable, and better performing version of the original wood species. The processes also 'cook' the sugars out of the wood. This makes thermally modified wood decking, less appetizing to insects, and much more rot resistant.

Mataverde thermally modified wood decking

Why use thermally modified wood decking?

STABILITY - Thermally modified decking is more stable (less wood movement, less expansion and contraction)
DURABILITY - Thermally modifying wood decking boards changes the wood at a cellular level. Thermally modified decking 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 local North American wood species and allows them to perform as well as many tropical hardwood species.
NATURAL - The best thermal modification processes use only natural methods, like heat and steam, to create a high-performance exterior decking product. Without adding any chemicals or toxins.

Thermal modification is a precise scientific process, using natural means, like heat and steam, to create a higher performance natural wood decking - without adding any chemicals or toxins. The result of thermal modification is that many decking materials (both hardwoods and softwoods) can be made to perform much like high density hardwoods.

The Best Thermally Modified Wood Processes

There are many different thermal modification processes (and different wood species) that have been tested over the past few decades. Not all thermally modified wood processes perform the same. We have researched and tested nearly all of the different thermally modified wood processing options. The two thermally modified wood processes we have found, that perform the best, are ThermoWood and Therma Wood. Although the processes are slightly different, they both enhance the quality of the original wood to create high performance thermally modified wood decking.

Mataverde® Thermally Modified Wood Decking Appearance Options

What will thermally modified wood look like as it ages? Thermowood is well known for its beauty, dimensional stability and durability. But ultimately, thermally modified wood decking is still a natural wood product, and all exterior woods will age differently once they are exposed to outdoor weather conditions.

Typical Color and Graining of Mataverde Thermally Modified Wood Decking


Mataverde Thermowood Thermally Modified Ash hardwood decking	Mataverde Thermawood Thermally Modified Hemlock softwood decking

The thermal modification process give the woods richer, darker brown colors. If the "new wood look" is your goal, Mataverde Thermowood decking may be finished with various sealers and maintained periodically as needed. Oil based sealers, such as Penofin or others, work best to protect your investment.

Or, if you prefer a more natural 'weathered wood' appearance, Mataverde Thermally modified decking can be left untouched and will gradually age to a lustrous silvery gray patina over time, for a low maintenance, real wood deck.

There are appearance and maintenance options to choose from. Learn more about the appearance options and life-cycle performance of Mataverde Thermally Modified Wood. Here is the typical weathering process:

	Initial appearance of Thermowood hardwood is a chocolaty brown color
	A coat of oil finish with UV inhibitors will darken the color tone to a rich dark brown color, and help protect your wood as it seasons.
	As the oils weather off and the wood ages, the color will start to lighten to softer brown tones. At this point, you may either refinish to a darker brown appearance, or
	Allow the wood to 'weather out naturally' to a silvery gray patina for a low maintenance decking option

Want to learn more about the exterior wood decking weathering process?

Download the informative, "How Exterior Woods Weather Guide" today:

How Will Exterior Woods Weather? DOWNLOAD THE GUIDE HERE

ThermoWood Process

The ThermoWood process was developed in Finland over thirty years ago. Through scientific testing and continuous process improvement over the past few decades, this method of thermally modifying wood has been refined and improved. The Thermowood process works exceptionally well with hardwoods, using only heat and steam. No chemicals or toxins are used in the process or in the wood decking.

The result is a world class thermally modified wood decking product that you can depend on. There is nothing artificial about it. All natural. 100% Real wood.

Mataverde ThermoWood Hardwood Decking

CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT MATAVERDE THERMOWOOD DECKING

Thermawood Process

The Thermawood process built on the early work, and the successes, of the Finnish (ThermoWood) method. The Thermawood process creates an excellent exterior wood decking product using a similar, but unique, process for thermally modifying softwoods for high performance. This process utilizes a Danish autoclave 'vacuum' kiln using high temperatures, steam, and pressure.

The chief benefits of this thermal modification method are that the process uses less energy than other systems. And, because the wood in the Thermawood process is modified under pressure, the wood is less likely to crack, split or check. And that means less waste on the job site. The Therma Wood process use no chemicals or toxins to create fine wood products that perform exceptionally well outdoors.