“Thermally modified wood is a spectacular material that is really gaining traction and trending in design,” says Pioneer Millworks sales manager Jered Slusser.

With the rise in sustainable building materials, thermally modified wood is one of the most chemical free and human-health-focused methods of extending the life of wood products, while also increasing their performance. Thermally modified wood represents an important advancement in the construction and architecture fields, presenting a number of eco-friendly benefits.

Thermally modified wood’s genesis came in 1915 when Harry Tiemann, a kiln specialist at the Forest Products Laboratory in Madison Wisconsin, heated wood in 150-degree Celsius steam. His findings illustrated that there was a reduction in hygroscopicity (tendency of absorbing moisture from air) of this newly modified timber. The thermal modification process reduces the moisture and sugars that are held inside the cells of the wood and in doing so permanently alters the structure of the timber.

While fire had been used as a preservative for wood for centuries (see the Japanese technique of Yakisugi or Shou Sugi Ban) thermal modification was confirmed to be a modernized, repeatable, and consistent way to extend the life of wood.

Unlike pressure treated wood, the thermal modification process is free of Red List chemicals, fungicides, insecticides, and plastics making it the perfect choice for both exterior and interior applications, while ensuring the safety of you and your loved ones. Additionally, this preservative procedure provides the cladding with added water repellency, protection from insects, and allows it to sequester more carbon than is used during its manufacturing process. Wood is good, but thermally modified wood is better!

Slusser says, “The great thing about thermally modified materials is that they can be cut, planed, and sanded just like a normal wood and they are an environmentally smart choice for commercial buildings as they’re resistant to rot, fungus and inclement weather.” 

We are excited to announce two new thermally modified additions to the Pioneer Millworks product line: ABODO® Vulcan siding and ABODO® Vulcan decking.

Sustainable, stable, and stunning, users can expect a lifetime of beauty and durable climate conscious design from our ABODO® modified wood, as well as a specialized color array that will fit most any aesthetic. 

Crafted for longevity, beauty, and the environment our ABODO® Vulcan siding and decking are sustainably harvested from responsibility managed New Zealand forests and crafted to finish in our US mills from FSC®- certified Radiata Pine. 100% recyclable and renewable, and with a stable supply chain it is an obvious alternative to: vinyl siding, cement board, and pressure treated lumbers. The thermal modification process results in a reduced resin content giving the wood an enhanced stability and long-term viability, all supported by a 15-year warranty.   

Safe enough to be used inside and tough enough to be installed outside, ABODO® Vulcan thermally modified decking and siding checks all of the boxes of sustainability, beauty, and forward-thinking design options.

Pioneer Millworks ABODO® Vulcan is also available in our five proprietary finishes:

ABODO® Vulcan Black: Our classic ebony that effortlessly emits elegance and sophistication and will assimilate seamlessly into any design intent whether commercial or residential.

ABODO® Vulcan Marmot: An expressive earthen hued brown that brings the organic shadings and internal textures of wood to the forefront.

ABODO® Vulcan Dove: Our achromatic contribution to the Abodo color array, Dove pulls its aesthetic from stone, slate, overcast days, and cloud sailing avians.

ABODO® Vulcan Kodiak: A hearty brown hue imbued with elements of nature’s palette, spotlighting pigments found in bark, tannins, and furs.

ABODO® Vulcan Morel: A neutral creamy hue that contains trace elements of sky and earth culminating in a smooth tone that harkens to the honeycombed shading on the fleshy fruit of a mushroom.

For use in above grade decking, at grade decking, and transition spaces from inside and out:

ABODO® Vulcan Decking is finished with ABODO Protector Oil, the latest in water borne oil technology combining refined plant oils, UV protection, advanced water barrier composition and an enhanced fungicidal package for superior exterior performance, backed by a 15-year warranty.