Thermally Modified Wood

[crokett]

I read about this in Wood magazine and did a little research. Short version is, wood is baked in a kiln at ~500 degrees. This makes the sugars inedible to insects and the wood is highly resistant to decay. It also makes it extremely hard and resistant to damage.

Here's a link:
http://www.naturalwooddecking.com/Process.html

[Uncle Cracker]

I read about this in Wood magazine and did a little research. Short version is, wood is baked in a kiln at ~500 degrees. This makes the sugars inedible to insects and the wood is highly resistant to decay. It also makes it extremely hard and resistant to damage.

But won't that also kill the tree??

[crokett]

But won't that also kill the tree??

I'm pretty sure that by the time they get to this step the tree is long past caring.

[leehljp]

But won't that also kill the tree??

But at least it will "preserve" it . . . in a slightly different and more useable form!

[LCHIEN]

I suppose that treatment goes all the way through the wood uniformly?
so is the wood still going to machine in the same way it did before thermal modification? I.e. can we still work it, i.e. plane it and cut it, with woodworking tools?
I suppose that's the end goal, eh?

[Uncle Cracker]

Kiln-dried wood works fine. Isn't this the same principle, with perhaps a bit higher temperature?

[cabinetman]

Kiln-dried wood works fine. Isn't this the same principle, with perhaps a bit higher temperature?

Steam is also used.
.

[cabinetman]

It's a similar process as PT'ing, but without any chemicals. They will likely add to the stamping identification codes this process.
.

[cabinetman]

I'm pretty sure that by the time they get to this step the tree is long past caring.

Maybe they do care...the Weeping Willow Tree.
.

[germdoc]

Of course it was developed in Finland. They use the same machine to modify the molecular structure of humans, it's called THE SAUNA.

Been there, done that.

[docrowan]

I suppose that treatment goes all the way through the wood uniformly?
so is the wood still going to machine in the same way it did before thermal modification? I.e. can we still work it, i.e. plane it and cut it, with woodworking tools?
I suppose that's the end goal, eh?

I read the article in Wood, also. It indicated that it still machines the same, although it is harder and has more of a tendency to split than the untreated wood of the same species. They recommended not nailing too close to the ends to avoid splits.

[naturalwood]

Hey,

I just saw that you were discussing thermally modified wood and had visited our site. I have enclosed a picture of a deck for a show prize home we did last summer. If you have further questions feel free to ask.

Lorne