Arbor Wood

Arbor Wood Co. produces Thermally Modified Wood for a variety of outdoor and indoor applications including siding, decking, and architectural millwork. Our process begins with a select grade of domestically grown and responsibly harvested timber which undergoes a thermal modification process using heat and steam. The result is a high-quality, performance-driven material that sustains the natural beauty and design element of wood all without the use of harsh chemicals.

High heat and steam replace chemicals to fundamentally modify Arbor Wood’s hemicellulose, making it one of the most natural, chemical-free ways to extend the service life of a wood product. The wood is less absorbent resulting in increased material stability with less warping/cupping and minimal expansion/contraction. Importantly, certain organic compounds are eliminated during modification thus removing the food source for rot and insects. The conversion of sugars to a nonfood source also turns the timber into a darker, richer through color, providing an appealing and refined aesthetic.

Arbor Wood Thermally Modified Wood is produced in a specialized, 3-phase kiln process using only heat and steam. In phase 1 an initial gradual increase in temperature reduces the equilibrium moisture content (EMC) of the wood. Phase 2 sees a rapid spike in temperature and is where the magic really happens. The cellular composition of the wood is altered in this high-heat, oxygen-deprived environment which breaks down the natural acids and sugars so as to no longer be a food source for mold, rot, or fungal decay. This change also renders the wood ‘hydrophobic’, meaning it loses much of the natural tendency to absorb water. As a natural byproduct of the process, Arbor Wood takes on a richer, darker tone throughout giving it a look similar to that of exotic species. The 3rd and final phase introduces steam to cool the wood down and bring the EMC back up to a suitable level. A benefit of this process is that Arbor Wood is dimensionally stable (meaning it won’t warp, rot, or chip), making it longer lasting and resistant to heat and weather, with an expected lifespan of 25+ years.

1. Improved resistance to mold, rot and fungal decay as the naturally occurring food sources for these sorts of deterioration are converted or removed during the modification process. Arbor Wood is a natural wood product with the durability of an engineered material.

2. Improved dimensional stability, means that the wood is less susceptible to expansion and contraction due to temperature or humidity fluctuations. The process of thermal modification changes Arbor Wood’s relationship with water, thus creating a natural building material with the stability of an engineered product.

3. Lightweight and easy to work with! The reduced moisture content makes Arbor Wood lighter in weight than traditional wood building materials such as pressure-treated pine or even exotic hardwoods. As a result, many people find Arbor Wood easier to work with.

Because our modification process can be applied to a range of wood species, there’s a good chance that options exist within most budgets. When compared to alternative options including composites, exotic hardwoods, and premium softwoods, Arbor Wood is competitively priced. And since we manufacture in the USA, our carbon footprint is lower than its exotic competitors.

Arbor Wood Co. thermally modified wood can be used without additional finishes and expected to last 25+ years without any signs of serious physical degradation, warping or buckling.

However, a UV coating is recommended if color retention is an important factor to the client (we recommend CUTEK Extreme). If no UV coating is used, the wood will patina out to a natural silver.

CUTEK Extreme should be reapplied when the wood is no longer beading or as frequently as necessary to retain the natural or altered color of the wood. Timing will differ depending on many variables including the age and porosity of the wood, species, situation, design, aspect, weathered exposure and adequacy of preparation.

When considering frequency of maintenance there are two factors to consider:

Protection: CUTEK Extreme diffuses deeply into wood to provide long-term, cumulative, inside-out protection. Even when the wood surface has grayed and weathered, CUTEK Extreme will remain permanently mobile in the wood, meaning protection is not compromised even if the outward appearance of the wood has changed. Each additional coat of CUTEK Extreme provides further additional protection against moisture.

Appearance: To maintain the natural color of freshly oiled wood for longer or alter the appearance of your wood, CUTEK Extreme with an added CUTEK Colortone should be applied. Over time and with exposure to sunlight and UV, the color will slowly fade to a silver patina, or ware/erode with use. Color durability and the rate at which this fading, or wearing/eroding occurs is dependent on many factors, such as age and porosity of the wood, species, situation, design, aspect, and degree of exposure to the weather. CUTEK Extreme with an added Colortone should be reapplied as frequently as necessary to maintain desired color vibrancy.

Thermal modification is a natural process using heat, steam, and a bit of pressure to significantly improve the durability and stability of many wood species. There are no harsh chemicals used during production and nothing nasty that can leach out over time. We support good forest stewardship to ensure that the wood we use is sourced domestically & sustainably to ensure a gentler footprint from start to finish.