THERMALLY MODIFIED WOOD SIDING & DECKING

Nova is a leading supplier of thermally modified wood and dually modified wood. Architects and designers are specifying thermally modified decking and siding because these products are more stable and more durable. Nova USA has developed a program of products to meet these needs.

Thermal modification is applied to a broad range of timber species. When selecting the species, the focus is on utilizing species that are plantation grown, fast growing, or a secondary timber species. Our intent is to better utilize the resources that nature has provided us through our forests.

Nova aims to ensure proper forest management as well as high quality production across the entire program of thermally modified woods. As part of this effort, we try to ensure that all our thermally modified products fall under one of the above categories.

Nova aims to ensure due diligence is done in regards to proper forest management, as such, Nova is fully FSC certified. All efforts are made to ensure that all of the products brought in under this program fall either under FSC or OLB certification.

Thermal modification is a process that uses high heat to alter the properties of the wood. As with most things in life, there is a cost benefit analysis to be made in relation to this process and the end use of the product.

During thermal modification the cell structure of the wood is changed and the free movement of water in and out of the cell is inhibited. As a result of this process the wood will decrease in strength and hardness, making it more likely to break or dent. At the same time the process increases the stability and durability of the wood, making it more suitable for exterior uses and decreasing the tendency of the wood to expand and contract with fluctuations in moisture content.

Careful consideration has to be made in regards to the timber being modified, and its intended end use. A lighter wood species such as Pine or Ayous will benefit from the modification process but will lose strength and weight, making the end product useful for a siding application but unusable in a decking application without a second modification to enhance the density and strength - As is done with Rhino wood for example. A medium or heavy density wood, such as Korina or Ash, will retain sufficient strength and hardness to be used for decking applications but may not be suitable for heavy construction. In most cases the benefits of the thermal modification process outweighs the cost, provided the end use is suitable for the final product.