Thermally Modified — Catalog

Thermally Modified Wood

Thermal modification is durability without density. The wood is heated to high temperature in a low-oxygen kiln, which permanently changes its cell structure: the sugars that feed fungi are cooked out, and the wood's ability to absorb moisture drops sharply. What comes out is a board that resists decay and barely moves with the seasons — and, because the change runs all the way through, an even color through the full thickness rather than a surface treatment that can be sanded or weathered off.

The trade-off is worth understanding: a modified board is lighter and softer than a tropical hardwood, which makes it excellent for cladding, trim, soffits, and pergolas, and less suited to high-traffic decking.

We modify two species: Nova Ambara (Ayous, an even caramel, very light) and Nova Korina (Limba, medium brown, similar in weight and strength to oak and maple). Compare with tropical hardwood.