Hardwood

There are literally hundreds of hardwood species, however, SeasonWood utilizes a new technology that allows for less ‘exotic’ species to attain the attributes of well-known tropical hardwoods. Known as thermal modification, the technology subjects hardwood stock to steam and high temperatures and ‘cooks’ the wood to a darker color.  Species can be darkened as little or as much as needed to resemble more exotic woods.

Besides the benefits from color darkening, other physical attributes of the wood are also enhanced.  The heat modification process makes wood more biologically durable and rot resistant, in addition to improving the dimensional stability.  In application this means that wood will not shrink or swell as much and will last much longer when built into outdoor products such as decking or patio furniture.  For example, in Europe, thermally modified Ash has challenged more expensive species like Teak and Ipe in appearance, durability, and stability applications such as hardwood flooring or decking.

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Thermal Modification has been done on many wood species including white and red oak, maple, birch, hickory, ash, elm, alder, beech, poplar, and aspen.

The opportunities for SeasonWood Hardwood range from indoor and outdoor furnishings, to any specialty application where wood is used.

Below are a few examples of the most common current applications for SeasonWood Hardwoods:

Solid Hardwood Flooring – SeasonWood makes great heat-modified hardwood flooring.  One of the biggest disadvantages of regular hardwood flooring is the cupping or crowning that occurs within each board when moisture in the environment changes.  Unmodified hardwood flooring will shrink and swell during seasonal changes, ultimately affecting the gap and spacing appearance between boards.  Because SeasonWood is thermally-modified to be more dimensionally stable, flooring shrinks and swells about 50 percent less and cupping is virtually eliminated.

Furniture and Cabinetry – Darker-colored woods are often preferred by consumers.  This is perhaps the number one reason why manufacturers of furniture and cabinetry choose SeasonWood heat-modified hardwoods.  Natural wood can be darkened to look like more exotic or tropical species.  In addition the wood also becomes more dimensionally stable during its lifetime so furniture and cabinet components will fit consistently throughout its lifetime.

Decking – Species like Ash can be thermally modified to a very pleasant dark brown tone.  Ultimately this also makes the wood much more durable and dimensionally stable.  Both these reasons extremely benefit the wood that is exposed to the elements, moisture, and rot –causing fungi.  SeasonWood Hardwood ultimately uses thermal modification technology to rival hard-to-find exotic species like Teak and Ipe in durability, appearance, and dimensional stability but at a fraction of the cost.

Specialty Products– Many other hardwood products have their performance enhanced by SeasonWood thermal modification.  Examples include carvings, gun stocks and fine musical instruments.  These are all enhanced by a color change and the improved stability of the wood for a longer lifecycle.  Currently there are studies being carried with a musical instrument manufacturer in California to research the opportunity of thermal modification in fine crafted guitars

For SeasonWood Hardwood inquiries contact us here or please call us at 604-762-7075