Thermory™ is made using a unique process that starts with North American woods, such as Northern white ash. The producers of Thermory™ use a very complex and exacting, high-tech kiln-drying process, plus steam, to heat the wood to much higher temperatures and also reduce the moisture content. The wood is then brought back to a ‘normal’ moisture.
This process results in a number of benefits:
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1)the extreme temperatures drive out the sugars inherent in the wood that make it attractive to micro-organisms that consume it (leading to rot, molding, etc.). This is one reason Thermory™ is extremely durable in the outdoors, achieving a Class 1 durability rating (25+ years) in Europe.
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2)The process brings the wood down to a 0% moisture content and then, under very controlled conditions, back up to 6%. This makes the wood “hydrophobic” — that is, very moisture-resistant. Increases and decreases in moisture content, as well as the freeze-thaw that accompanies a higher moisture content, is another factor that causes wood to break down. Differences in moisture also cause wood to warp and twist. Thus, Thermory™ is extremely stable. In fact, it is the only solid wood flooring we can recommend for gluing directly on concrete slab.
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3)The extreme temperatures “toast” the wood to a gorgeous, deep brown color through and through.
Thus, Thermory™is as beautiful and even more durable than ipê, a destructively-logged tropical hardwood that is popular for decks.
There are no toxins, no heavy metals, nor leaching of any sort. Plus, because Thermory™ starts with hardwoods, the material lends itself to more structural applications, such as municipal boardwalks.
Thermory™ is perfect for outdoor decking, whether you are looking for a no-maintenance deck that will go silver like other untreated woods, or whether you want to maintain the deck to retain the material’s original beauty.
Thermory™ also excels as indoor flooring, because of its excellent stability (can you say, “solid flooring over radiant heat”?). Thermory™ may be your one-stop-shop for indoor and outdoor applications!
Call 917/543-4064 or email Earthbilt™ today to explore the possibilities of this innovative material. We are pleased to provide samples and technical specifications.
