Thermal modification is a process that utilizes high heat to alter the dimensional composition of wood. The cellular structure is changed by applying heat without oxygen, which creates a controlled chemical reaction. The thermal modification process permanently modifies the cell walls of the wood and results in improved durability of the wood as well as increased dimensional stability.
Three Falls Residence – GRAPHITE Abodo Vulcan Cladding
The aim of modified wood is to overcome the shortcomings of standard timber. The modification process enhances the performance of the wood, resulting in improvements in the longevity of timbers – dimensional stability, decay resistance, reduced water absorption, less expansion/contraction, etc. In addition, since most advanced modification processes are environmentally friendly, the materials can still be disposed of properly at the end of the product life cycle.
Vancouver Residence – KOS Shou Sugi Ban Charred Kebony
What Are The Benefits of Using Thermally Modified Wood?
Durability: Wood becomes instantly more durable after being thermally modified. Water absorption in regular wood can cause warping, discoloration, and even the growth of bacteria or fungi. This is not an issue with thermally modified wood. Water cannot warp or deform it because the modification process naturally changes the cellular structure of the wood.
Aesthetics: Thermally modified wood has a beautiful, consistent chocolate-brown color from surface to core.
Sustainability: Solid wood building materials have a net-negative CO2 profile – better than any conventional building material. It requires less energy to create the finished product than other building materials such as concrete, metal, or plastic.
Environmentally Friendly: Many exterior wood products are treated with wood preservatives – some more toxic than others. The thermal modification process uses heat and steam to cure the wood. There are no harmful toxins or chemicals that are used in the process.
Corwith Residence – SVERTE Shou Sugi Ban Charred Kebony
Thermally Modified Wood Manufacturers
Abodo Thermally Modified Wood
Abodo wood is a great option for thermally modified wood that is durable and rapidly renewable. The timber has exceptional weatherability and maintains its durability and beauty for a lifetime.
Based in New Zealand, Abodo prides itself on producing a range of beautiful and durable thermally modified timber solutions that are safe, sustainable, and renewable. The company has a strong ethos around ensuring its timber is ethically sourced. From milling to building, they respect their material, the people who use it, and where it comes from. For every tree milled, Abodo ensures it provides more than 30 years of service, which is as long as it takes to grow a replacement tree.
Twin Gables ft. reSAWN TIMBER co. SiOO:X Abodo Vulcan Cladding
Benefits of Specifying Thermally Modified Abodo Vulcan Cladding
All Abodo wood is produced from well-managed sustainable sources including FSC® and other regionally certified woods. reSAWN TIMBER co. holds an FSC® Chain of Custody Certification, as well.
Abodo Vulcan cladding is virtually completely knot-free and has a Durability Class 1 Rating.
Patented glue lamination is used for a modern, clean vertical grain orientation. This provides superior weathering characteristics, greater stability, and less surface cracking. The wood ages with grace as it’s left to weather outdoors.
Outstanding dimensional stability results in less aesthetic maintenance and therefore less coating over the product’s lifetime.
Low carbon footprint: Abodo wood is an environmentally compatible substitute for carbon-intensive materials.
100% recyclable and reusable, naturally renewable.
Warranty: 15 years against fungal decay*.
Moisture content: Approx. 7% MC (+/- 2%) at the time of dispatch. It does not require acclimation prior to installation.
Glue: New generation polyurethane adhesive – VOC, solvent, and formaldehyde-free.
SFM 12-7A-1 – WUI Exterior Wall Siding and Sheathing.
Phase 1 – The kiln is slowly elevated in temperature until the moisture content of the wood is essentially zero %. The wood in the kiln is then heated further until it reaches the desired modification temperature – in most cases 230 degrees Celsius for outdoor end-use applications.
Phase 2 – The kiln is held at the modification temperature for a prescribed time to achieve full modification. This time is the critical point in the process.
Phase 3 – The kiln is allowed to cool, and the wood is reconditioned with steam (we bring the moisture content back to around 7%). Once cool enough the wood can be extracted from the kiln.
reSAWN TIMBER co. is proud to be the exclusive manufacturer and distributor of Abodo® thermally modified Vulcan cladding and decking products in the USA.
Kebony Thermally Modified Wood
A second example of the thermal modification method is Kebony wood. The Kebony technology modifies wood by forming stable, locked-in furan polymers in the wood cell walls. These increase the dimensional stability, as well as durability and hardness, of the wood. This process is based on impregnation with furfuryl alcohol produced from agricultural crop waste. Kebony thus uses a plant-derived waste product to give enhanced strength and durability to another plant product – namely wood.
Kebony Clear Decking
Kebony wood is safe since the wood does not splinter and doesn’t contain toxins or chemicals, nor does the wood get too hot in the summer. Furthermore, Kebony wood is resistant to rot and fungi, and other wood-destroying microorganisms in an above-ground context. Kebony is a low-maintenance material that does not require any additional treatment beyond normal cleaning, thus, no oils or other impregnation solutions are needed.
Thermally Modified Red Oak
Thermally modified red oak is a popular option for locally sourced timber from the United States. In North America, red oak trees are prevalent and grow to a height of around 70 feet and a trunk diameter of 36″. Being the largest species group, it is highly sustainable.
While there are copious amounts of international building material manufacturers, local suppliers can offer benefits that overseas vendors cannot.
Carbon Footprint Reduction – Our relationship with our environment truly matters. Building materials that are locally sourced means shorter trips to haul, less greenhouse gas emissions, and less diesel fuel consumption.
Support Products Made in the USA – By specifying local materials, a product’s sustainability profile extends to extraction, manufacturing, and transportation practices.
Samples of our standard products and thermally modified wood offerings are available for architects and designers at no cost and shipped via UPS Ground. Click the button below to explore reSAWN’s complete product offering – sort by species, color, or application.
The building enclosure (envelope, skin, facade, etc.) represents one of the greatest risk elements of construction. It is subjected to various weather conditions and must be constructed to endure long-term deterioration and weathering. There are numerous options for installing exterior cladding. In order to combat water penetration, air leakage, and increased energy consumption, hygroscopic materials such as wood are best suited for rainscreen applications.
Building Enclosure
Rain and snow, the two most common types of water that fall on an exterior wall, are either pushed downward by gravity or pushed sideways by the wind. A rainscreen deploys an outside surface – a rainscreen cladding layer – to break the power of sideways, wind-driven water movement, allowing any water that passes through the microscopic gaps in the surface to lose speed. The majority of water merely bounces off the surface or runs down the side of the building.
Rainscreen Sub-StructureRainscreen Sub-Structure
Moisture-Control Functions Within a Rainscreen:
Drainage: Lapped or interlocked exterior wood cladding resists most moisture from the elements, but it is not watertight. An air gap behind the cladding combined with a means of egress provides a path for moisture to escape the wall assembly. Open-joint rain screens that maintain physical openings between the boards also have a gap and a drainage path behind the boards. In a wood cladding installation, the drainage gap is created by installing furring strips or girts over the water-resistive barrier.
There are also drainage matrix products that are designed to create drainage stand-off within their own thickness, eliminating the need for furring strips. These are commonly known as building wraps that combine the functions of a drainage plane, water-resistive barrier, and an air barrier into one product. reSAWN conventionally views assemblies that employ a matrix as less desirable for overall drying when compared to fully gapped assemblies that include furring strips. Though, drainage matrix products can be better suited for retrofit projects where a true rainscreen application isn’t feasible.
Break: The presence of an air gap limits the wicking transfer of absorbed moisture from material to material into the wall assembly.
Vent: Adding a ventilation path at the top of a rainscreen allows the vented opening – with the drainage opening at the bottom of the wall assembly – to enable convection in the air gap behind the cladding. The airflow promotes additional drying within the assembly.
Successful rainscreen designs consist of numerous chosen components that allow for a range of options to fit any project’s needs. A thorough understanding of a project site’s climatic dynamics should inform rain screen design.
SIOOX Abodo Vulcan Cladding
There are numerous high-quality components on the market that aid in the design of a successful rainscreen. Making high-quality detail choices throughout the design process and taking into account the whole wall assembly – from the exterior to the interior – can assist in the long-term utility and durability of a given rainscreen.
Membranes: Wall assemblies need to dry after wet weather conditions. Based on their design, wall assemblies dry inward, outward, or in both directions.
Water-resistive barriers block moisture and are often code-mandated in residential applications. In simplest form, these barriers are building wrap products attached to a building’s sheathing with mechanical fasteners or adhesives. In most cases, they are continuous or layered shingle-style across an entire facade.
Air barriers block air movement. Many building components in a wall assembly have air-blocking characteristics. To create fully effective air barriers, these materials should be combined with a system to ensure an envelope effect. Special attention must be given to openings such as windows and doors, transitions from wall to roof planes, and penetrations for mechanical and electrical intakes and outlets. An air barrier system is composed of a membrane supported by sheathing, seam tape, and specialized gaskets and seals at penetrations. Air can carry high amounts of moisture, so limiting the amount of air that can move through a wall assembly can help the likelihood of the enclosed portions of a wall staying dry.
Vapor barriers limit vapor diffusion. How much vapor movement a material experiences is known as its permeance value. Virtually all sheet, bat, or board building products have specific permeance determined by their composition and thickness. Vapor membrane products are specifically designed to limit vapor diffusion. Other products such as insulation have permeance as well. While their primary purpose is not vapor diffusion, as a component of the wall assembly, they have an impact. Efforts should be made to thoroughly research materials that make sense for the climate zone and project specifications. Negative impacts can occur within a wall assembly by the incorrect placement of a barrier with high vapor-blocking characteristics such as a polyethylene sheet. One of the greatest challenges occurs when a vapor barrier intended to keep a wall assembly from getting wet actually prohibits it from drying1.
The primary functions of water, air, and vapor barriers can be combined. While the needs of every application are project-specific, reSAWN sees repeat success in wood-clad rainscreen assemblies with the application of combined water and air barrier membranes that are also breathable, to allow any moisture present in the wall assembly to escape outwards.
Details:
A wall assembly’s success starts with attention to detail – including the project site conditions and material selection. The list below includes a limited sampling of some high-impact items.
Material Movement: When specifying wood cladding, an understanding of wood and its movement is imperative. Intentional allowances for the expansion and contraction of all wood components should be considered. Adequate interlocking (i.e. tongue and groove)or lap conditions should be planned to inhibit separation between boards for material contraction. Depending on the cut of the wood cladding (specific to grain orientation), the primary axis of movement in relation to the board’s orientation as installed may vary.
Material Stability and Sizing: The stability of wood, meaning how the wood maintains its original shape and dimension, is important within a rainscreen. Properties such as wood grade and wood modification can increase stability. Stability should play a central role in the cladding selection process, and this same process should be applied to the selection of the furring strips to which the cladding is fastened. The width and thickness of furring strips should allow for the intended depth of the drainage gap and also ensure a durable target for both the fasteners that tie the furring strips back into the wall’s structure as well as the fasteners that attach the wood cladding to the strips.
Fastener Choice: A stainless steel wood-to-wood fastener is an important component of a wood-clad rainscreen assembly. A project site’s geography can influence the grade of steel fastener used, as some may be more appropriate in coastal or other specialized climates. Nails should be ring shank siding nails. Screws should be appropriately sized to limit the potential of breaking and splitting when driven into the cladding. Head shape, size, color/coating, and the appropriateness of piloting fastener holes as well as fastener length in light of the self-synching/sealing properties of the water-resistive and air barriers should all be considered.
Penetrations: All penetrations through a rainscreen from windows to exhaust ducts should be thoroughly flashed and air sealed.
Continuity of Detailing: Detailing at corners, facade transitions, trims, sills caps, and like conditions can be challenging. Taking into account allowance for expansion, rear drainage, mitigation of pest infiltration, or vented channels are all important details to keep in mind during all project stages.
Durability During Construction: Components of a project will likely be exposed to the elements during the construction phase. Care should be taken to review how these components weather and react to UV exposure, as they will likely have exposure to the elements before the full assembly is complete. Many products sold specifically for applications in rainscreens are designed to be durable throughout the more rugged challenge of a project’s construction timeline.
Adherence to Product Guidelines: All application-specific information provided by component manufacturers should be reviewed during the design, pre-construction, and construction phases of a project.
reSAWN’s specification reps can help building owners, architects, designers, builders, and all team members navigate rainscreen applications. Starting these conversations early in the design process allows reSAWN to suggest mock-up best practices and project-specific solutions. Our exterior installation guidelines were made with years of experience in a multitude of geographies, unique site locations, and countless specifications.
This reSAWN-made mockup was placed at an elevation of 7,000 feet in Northern, California. The materials endured two consecutive harsh winters with heavy snowfall, ice, wind, and rain. The materials are weathering well despite the exterior conditions.
Contact us today to be connected with a local specification representative to discuss your project needs. We can advise on species and finish selection for your desired aesthetics, and product life cycle performance.
In this video & article, we discuss reSAWN’s Accoya modified wood offering which is prefinished with a waterborne exterior oil. Our one-coat (1C) and two-coat (2C) product offerings provide specifiers with the choice of a more saturated color if desired.
1C Option – Finished with 1 Coat
‘1C’ denotes Accoya wood that is prefinished with one coat of our proprietary exterior oil in the factory. There is no need to apply a second coat of finish post-install.
2C Option – Finished with 2 Coats
‘2C’ denotes Accoya wood that is prefinished with one coat of our proprietary exterior oil in the factory AND will require the installer to apply a second coat of finish post-install. This finish will be included on the sales order and shipped with the materials. Applying a second coat of finish post-install will further saturate the initial color of the cladding and extend the duration of the deeper color.
The video focuses on RAILAY 1C and RAILAY 2C, two of reSAWN’s Accoya wood products with a waterborne exterior oil.
Video Transcript:
Hi, I’m Diane with reSAWN TIMBER, and I’m here today to talk to you about several of our Accoya products that are available with 1C or 2C exterior finish. 1C indicates Accoya is prefinished with one of our exterior oils in the factory, and this does not require a second coat. 2C indicates Accoya is prefinished with one of our exterior oils in the factory, which will require a second coat onsite by the installer.
The big difference between 1C and 2C is the color saturation on day one and as it weathers over time. Applying a second coat of Accoya does enhance the initial color of the exterior cladding and it extends the life of that deeper color over time. However, if you choose not to apply that second coat of finish, that can be a cost savings for your project.
I’m here at the factory in Pennsylvania and we do testing of our own products outside on our weathering rigs. We test for aesthetics and performance. So here are two examples. This is RAILAY 1C and RAILAY 2C – these have been outside on our weathering rigs since September 2021. That is 10 months of accelerated weathering. It’s considered accelerated weathering because it’s on our rigs on a 45 degree angle facing due South.
reSAWN TIMBER co. Accelerated Weathering Rigs
So 10 months of accelerated weathering represents approximately 30 months on the job site. So you can see they are weathering a little bit differently, but yet they’re weathering beautifully. So as you have your project needs or requirements for exterior cladding and Accoya modified products, give us a call at reSAWN TIMBER and we’d be happy to help you out. Thanks!
RAILAY 1C – Day oneRAILAY 2C – Day one
What are the benefits of Accoya wood?
Performance: Tried and tested in the USA. Accoya wood is stable, water and rot-resistant, and comes with a warranty. Accoya wood is thoroughly tested and designed to perform with minimal movement (swell/shrink/distort). Accoya is indigestible by various insects, including termites, resulting in an effective barrier. With a 50-year above-ground and 25-year below-ground and freshwater warranty, Accoya wood can be specified with confidence and enjoyed for decades.
Finish: reSAWN’s carefully crafted Accoya products are thoroughly vetted and tested via reSAWN’s research and development processes to test the aesthetics and performance of the wood in addition to how it weathers. Materials will arrive on-site prefinished, with the option to apply a second coat if desired. Our proprietary finishing process combined with Accoya wood provides a beautiful, low-maintenance exterior siding option.
Sustainability: Sustainability is at the core of Accoya’s business and is part of the entire life cycle of the material, including sourcing, production, and recycling at the end of life. Accoya wood products are FSC® certified, have a low carbon footprint, and are non-toxic to people, pets, and the environment. Accoya wood is the only construction material to achieve Cradle to Cradle Platinum Certification™ for Material Health. Accoya wood siding specifications have a minimal environmental impact.
Sunset Hill featuring reSAWN TIMBER co. NIGIRI and YOSHIMI shou sugi ban charred Accoya
How is Accoya wood modified?
Accoya wood is modified through a process known as acetylation. Accoya takes radiata pine, a softwood, and subjects it to a vinegar known as acetic anhydride. Acetyls are naturally present in wood, and acetic anhydride enhances the hydroxyl groups, providing water-repelling characteristics. This process turns the softwood into a hardwood by preventing the cells in the wood from being able to absorb water. This vinegar is verified as non-toxic with Cradle to Cradle Certified Gold, scoring ‘Platinum’ for Material Health. This modification process gives Accoya its durability and rot and decay resistance.
Accoya wood accetylation process
Does Accoya wood require a lot of maintenance?
Not only is Accoya’s durability proven, but it has also been shown to retain its appearance, requiring much less frequent maintenance than other wood species. Since Accoya wood undergoes the acetylation modification process, it requires little to no maintenance. The modification process enhances the performance of Accoya wood, providing outstanding dimensional stability that results in lower maintenance frequency and therefore less coating over the lifetime of the product.
Accoya wood doesn’t require recoat maintenance. However, if the desire is to get back to that day one color, we do recommend a recoat for aesthetic purposes. Maintenance and recoating guidelines vary by product. Contact reSAWN TIMBER co. for product-specific information.
Samples of our Through Body Color Accoya products are available for architects and designers at no cost and shipped via UPS Ground. Click on the button below to order samples.
reSAWN TIMBER co.’s offering of Accoya® wood is expanding to include Accoya that has been impregnated with a non-toxic grey pigment for a through body color that is intended to be a living finish that will weather naturally in place and requires no maintenance – OXFORD, MARENGO, and GREY MATTER.
The advantage of these materials is that they are grey from day 1 and can be used to achieve consistent color on all exterior surfaces regardless of facing (north, south, east, west) or application orientation (cladding, roofing, soffits, underside of canopy). This grey color can also be seamlessly carried into the interior walls or ceilings.
OXFORD Through Body Color on Accoya Cladding
WHY SPECIFY ACCOYA?
Accoya is wood, but not as you know it. It is modified timber in which a process called acetylation, a cutting-edge patented technology, enables it to resist rot, defy the elements and stay strong for decades. With warranties starting at 10 years and going up to 50 years, its performance and properties are remarkable. From joinery for the home to bridges submerged in water, Accoya wood is a leading material that stands up to every application challenge – decking, cladding, and more.
OXFORD Through Body Color on Accoya Decking
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF THROUGH BODY COLOR ACCOYA?
Guaranteed durability backed by warranties:
Commercial Warranty: 10 year warranty on Decking; 50 year warranty on cladding, trim, and millwork
Residential Warranty: 25 year warranty on Decking; 50 year warranty on cladding, trim, and millwork (except in Florida – for Florida commercial warranty length applies)
Beautiful grey color: The day one grey color means no wait time for a naturally grey product. The through body color grey ensures a consistently beautiful appearance from day one.
No maintenance: Due to the through body grey color, OXFORD, MARENGO, and GREY MATTER do not have to be re-oiled regularly or re-colored after scratches.
Barefoot friendly: In addition to Accoya’s durability and dimensional stability, Accoya wood rarely warps and hardly cracks or splinters. OXFORD, when used as decking, will feel soft underfoot in the long term.
OXFORD Through Body Color on Accoya Decking & Pool Deck Surround
WILL OXFORD, MARENGO, AND GREY MATTER STAY GREY?
Through body color Accoya products are colored grey from the surface to the core, requiring less maintenance. These products are grey from day one, so there is no need to wait for the wood to weather or naturally patina. The coloring will stay grey without oiling or re-dying. Since the grey color is all the way through the board, it also means scratches and scrapes are not visible.
WHY SPECIFY reSAWN’s THROUGH BODY COLOR ACCOYA?
We work with woods’ natural tendency to grey, not against it. Our products look beautiful on day one and continue to as nature takes over – with little to no aesthetic maintenance needed. Each board works cohesively together yet each board has its own visual story. The result is modern originality & inherent textural beauty with each and every project.
Samples of our Through Body Color Accoya products are available for architects and designers at no cost and shipped via UPS Ground. Click on the button below to order samples.
Using sustainable building materials in the built environment is a top priority now, more than ever. Building and designing a structure in the modern era should include consideration for the long-lasting impact of all facets of the design and build process. Due to this shift in focus on sustainable building materials, wood flooring and exterior wood cladding are frequently sought out as sustainable building materials to specify. In addition to its environmental and sustainability attributes, wood has multiple benefits, including its aesthetic qualities, versatility, structural stability, and availability.
Environmental & Structural Benefits of Using Wood Cladding as an Exterior Building Material
According to the Environmental and Energy Study Institute, residential and commercial buildings are responsible for almost 40 % of U.S. carbon dioxide emissions1. Fortunately, utilizing exterior wood cladding helps to offset the emissions.
Wood is a carbon sink: Trees absorb carbon from the environment and hold onto the carbon through their life cycle – from a tree to building material. They use the energy from carbon dioxide in the air, sunlight, and water from the roots to create nutrients that fuel the rest of the tree. This means that solid wood building materials have a net-negative C02 profile, which helps reduce carbon emissions.
Source: Building Information Foundation, RTS; CEI-Bois
Wood has low embodied energy: Embodied energy is the total energy needed for extraction, processing, manufacturing, and delivery of building materials to a building site. Wood requires minimal energy to produce and install when compared to other building materials such as steel and concrete.
Wood has low thermal conductivity: Structures built with real wood cladding require less energy to heat and cool since wood is a natural insulator.
Renewable resource: Real wood is renewable, recyclable, and biodegradable meaning it will have less of an impact on the environment throughout its lifecycle.
Durability: When properly maintained, exterior wood cladding can stand the test of time. This makes wood an eco-friendly choice compared to other materials that require more maintenance or replacement. Different finishing processes can also help extend the life of the cladding.
Dimensional stability: Wood’s superior dimensional stability helps it perform well when exposed to the elements such as the sun, snow, and rain.
Source: Lignum June 2012
Benefits of Wood Based Designs in Interior Applications
Americans spend a whopping 93 percent of their lives indoors breathing in recycled air. What most don’t realize is the air we breathe indoors is on average 2X to 5X more toxic than what we breathe outdoors due to insufficient ventilation, synthetic building materials, and volatile organic compounds (VOC) from a variety of products and materials. Thus, for many people, the health risks related to indoor air pollution may be greater than that of outdoor exposure.
Incorporating natural materials such as real wood flooring into a built environment helps to reduce blood pressure, heart rates, and stress levels, whilst improving well-being, creativity, cognitive abilities, and the air we breathe. Wood flooring is a timeless option, as it has been a favored building material for years. With multiple species, finish options, color variations, widths, and grade options, it can easily match any design aesthetic. When properly installed and maintained, wood floors can outlast many other flooring materials. reSAWN offers solid and engineered construction wood flooring that not only looks great but is sustainable as well.
Long-Lastingand Durable: Whether solid or engineered construction, wood flooring is durable and can withstand the wear and tear of everyday life. This durability means a longer lifecycle for the product, especially when refinishing is considered instead of replacing. A recent report from Bona found a 78% carbon footprint reduction when refinishing rather than replacing wood floors2.
Better Air Quality: The EPA found that wood flooring improves overall air quality3. Wood flooring minimizes the acclimation of dust, dander, and other pollutants due to its solid surface. Choosing a finish that has a low to zero VOC content is also attributed to the air quality. reSAWN’s Hardwax-Oil finish is non-pollutant and completely non-toxic. It does not contain biocides, preservatives, or lead-benzene and is 100% VOC-free.
Biophilic Design: Numerous studies have found incorporating aspects of nature into the built environment, such as real wood flooring, can help the mental health and wellbeing of the building’s occupants.
reSAWN TIMBER co. KIP European White Oak flooring
reSAWN TIMBER co. provides new and reclaimed wood products for architectural specifications for flooring. Our carefully curated offering includes modern finishes on reclaimed woods and newly harvested wood species. We provide only the highest quality materials milled to our exacting standards and finished in a way that enhances the natural beauty of the wood. Our extensive offering includes solid & engineered construction, wide plank flooring, and FSC® woods.
Certifications for Green Building Initiatives
There are many certification programs that are often used by architects, designers, homeowners, and builders as guidelines and a solid framework for sustainable building initiatives. Although different programs have varying levels of standards, they all focus on building a healthier, more sustainable future in both the commercial and residential building sectors. At reSAWN TIMBER co. we focus on LEED®, Forest Stewardship Council (FSC®), and The Living Building Challenge.
LEED
LEED, also known as Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, is the most widely used green building certification system in the world. LEED-certified buildings save money, improve efficiency, lower carbon emissions, and create healthier places for people. Most projects, whether it’s new construction, a renovation, or an interior fit-out can apply for LEED credits.
A project earns LEED points/credits by following guidelines relating to carbon, energy, water, waste, transportation, materials, health, and indoor environmental quality. Points can be earned for each recognized green building feature. The more points obtained, the higher level of certification a project can achieve. The different levels of certification include LEED Certified, LEED Silver, LEED Gold, or LEED Platinum. A 2014 UC Berkeley study4 found that by building to LEED standards, buildings contributed 50% fewer greenhouse gasses than conventionally constructed buildings due to water consumption, 48% fewer greenhouse gasses due to solid waste, and 5% fewer greenhouse gases due to transportation.
Nixon Peabody – LEED Platinum Certified – reSAWN TIMBER co. Rift and Quarter Sawn White Oak Fooring
According to LEED:
35% of credits are related to climate change
20% of credits directly impact human health
15% of credits impact water resources
10% of credits affect biodiversity
10% of credits related to the green economy
5% of credits impact the community
5% of credits impact natural resources
A factor of LEED certification is material selection. Material selection can affect many aspects of a project, including comfort, air quality, and human health. reSAWN TIMBER co. lists earnable credits on all our products, so you can know firsthand what credits your project qualifies for. Some of the common credits reSAWN products qualify for include certified wood, rapidly renewable materials, and low-emitting materials.
FSC®
FSC®, also known as the Forest Stewardship Council, focuses on responsibly managed forests as a way to extend trees’ natural carbon sequestration throughout their lifecycle. FSC’s mission is to promote environmentally appropriate, socially beneficial, and economically viable management of the world’s forests. Two types of certification are offered, Chain of Custody and Forest Management. The certifications provide an honest, transparent look into the path the products take from the forest to a finished FSC® certified product.
reSAWN TIMBER co. – IKIGAI Shou Sugi Ban Charred FSC® Certified Accoya Exterior Cladding and Roofing
FSC® chain of custody certification assures that products sold with an FSC® claim originate from well-managed forests, controlled sources, or reclaimed materials. It includes the multiple stages of the product, including sourcing, processing, trading, and distribution. Certificate holders are also required to implement the FSC® core labor requirements in their operations, ensuring the organization does not partake in forced labor or discrimination in employment. reSAWN holds a Chain of Custody certificate, allowing most reSAWN products to be certified in 1 of 3 categories: FSC® 100%, FSC® Mix, and FSC® Recycled.
Living Building Challenge
The International Living Future Institute is leading the transformation toward a civilization that is socially just, culturally rich, and ecologically restorative. They understand that humanity needs to reconcile its relationship with the natural world and leave it better than it was found. ILFI offers many certifications and challenges to better the built environment, including the Living Building Challenge, Living Product Challenge, Living Community Challenge, and Zero Energy and Zero Carbon certification.
The Living Building Challenge is a philosophy, advocacy tool, and certification program for sustainable buildings. The challenge’s goals focus on resource conservation and sustainable practices in the architecture, design, and construction of all buildings while connecting the communities and their inhabitants to the world surrounding them. These goals can apply to new construction, existing buildings, landscape or infrastructure, and internal projects in the residential and commercial sectors. The program is constantly evolving – the current standard is The Living Building Challenge 4.0. They use a flower with seven petals, or Imperatives, of actionable standards to build and design for a Living Future.
Place: The Place petal focuses on understanding and honoring the place where the built environment stands while honoring, protecting, and enhancing the ecology surrounding the project.
Water: The Water petal focuses on an inherent understanding of the value of water – minimizing waste, avoiding pollution, using less, and not using potable water for irrigation to ensure responsible water use.
Energy: The Energy petal focuses on renewable energy that helps the building operate in an energy-efficient and pollution-free manner, minimizing carbon emissions related to energy.
Health & Happiness: The Health & Happiness petal focuses on creating healthy spaces that allow natural light, healthy air, and a healthy interior environment that benefits the project’s occupants and the nature surrounding it.
Materials: The Materials petal focuses on building materials that are non-toxic and ecologically restorative while being transparent about their ingredients. 50% of wood products must be FSC®, salvaged, or harvested on-site either for the purpose of clearing the area for construction or to restore or maintain the continued ecological function of the site. The remainder must be from low-risk sources5. The project must also contain one Declare label product per approximately 2,153 square feet of gross building area.
Equity: The Equity petal focuses on creating and nurturing communities that are just and inclusive, enabling all people to prosper and reach their full potential. This includes making the building accessible to all while ensuring that the building is mutually beneficial for its inhabitants and the community it supports.
Beauty: The Beauty petal focuses on connecting to nature through biophilic design. A beautiful building starts with people and nature and their symbiotic relationships to place, climate, culture, and community.
As of April 2019, ILFI reported 563 registered Living Building projects in 29 countries. Abodo Vulcan Cladding received the Declare label from the International Living Future Institute, affirming their products are Red List Free, making it an excellent building material choice. reSAWN TIMBER co. is proud to be the exclusive manufacturer and distributor of Abodo thermally modified Vulcan cladding, slats, and decking products in the USA.
Sustainability: A Pillar of Who We Are at reSAWN TIMBER co.
Aside from offering FSC® certified wood products and our contributions to LEED-certified projects, reSAWN is committed to the goals of sustainable building through the use of non-toxic finishes, reclaimed woods, FSC® certified modified woods and new products that are sustainably sourced.
reSAWN TIMBER co. was founded in 2009 by offering sustainable, low-VOC finishes to the architectural and design community in the Philadelphia area. From our humble beginnings 13 years ago to today, sustainability has and always will be a core value of our business.
reSAWN TIMBER co. is committed to working with Architects and Designers to create sustainable products that highlight wood’s natural beauty. We believe in making only high-quality products that are durable and meant to last for many years, which reduces building waste.
Net Zero Energy McDonald’s at Walt Disney World – Bay Lake, Florida – reSAWN TIMBER co. HALLO Charred Kebony® Slats
reSAWN’s extensive offering includes products that are:
FSC®certified – Accoya and Abodo modified wood products are FSC®-certified. Most of our flooring is available FSC® certified. (FSC® C122513)
Carbon negative – Abodo Vulcan Cladding’s release of their Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) included that Abodo Vulcan Cladding is carbon negative.
Cradle to Cradle Certified – Accoya is Cradle to Cradle Gold certified, due to the products’ environmental credentials and sustainable long life
Low to Zero VOC Finished Products– reSAWN’s versatile product offering includes finishes that are plant-based, low VOC, and Zero VOC.
Reclaimed offering – reSAWN’s reclaimed wood preserves the unique beauty of antique wood and comes from a variety of sources throughout the Appalachian Region.
LEED point eligible – Numerous reSAWN products qualify for LEED credits that range from rapidly renewable resource to low-emitting materials.
Locally sourced species– With Cypress sourced in the Southern United States, Alaskan Yellow Cedar sourced along the North American Pacific Coast from the California-Oregon border to Southern Alaska, and Western Red Cedar from the Pacific Northwest region; we offer wood cladding options that are sustainably harvested in the USA.
Backed by warranties – Our Modified wood offering includes Kebony, Abodo, and Accoya wood. Kebony is backed by a 30-year outdoor warranty, Abodo offers a 15-year warranty against fungal decay, and Accoya offers a 50-year above-ground warranty and a 25-year at/below ground level warranty.
Dune House ft. IRUKA shou sugi ban Cypress utilized passive building principlesCorwith Residence ft. SVERTE shou sugi ban Kebony cladding – Net Zero Home
We are continually improving our techniques and finishes; based on the needs in the building materials market, the observations of experienced industry leaders, and a first-hand understanding of customer desires and expectations.
reSAWN products can assist you in achieving your project goals in aesthetics, performance, and sustainability – all at the same time. Contact us today to connect with the local reSAWN representative in your area to learn more about our sustainable product offering.
In this video & article, reSAWN shows you how to clean & recoat charred exterior siding. The video focuses on IKIGAI which is one of our charred Accoya materials. IKIGAI is first burnt in the Japanese style of shou sugi ban which accentuates the natural grain pattern. It is then brushed to remove most of the charcoal layer and finished with an exterior oil top coat.
Video Transcript: Hi, this is Ryan with reSAWN TIMBER co. ‘s R+D Department.
Today we’re going to be showing you how to clean an exterior cladding product in preparation for a recoat.
Keep in mind, that Accoya is a modified wood and doesn’t require recoat maintenance. However, if the desire is to get back to that day one color, we do recommend a recoat for aesthetic purposes.
So the first step in this process is knowing when your cladding was installed. So we know – our test board for IKIGAI has been out on our testing rigs. We know this was put outside 3 years ago (1 year of weathering = 3 years of accelerated weathering). So, that falls in the 3-4 year window of when we recommend recoats.
reSAWN TIMBER co. Weathering Rigs
Accelerated Weathering Correlation
Accelerated weathering means exposure of our products facing South on a 45-degree angle. One year of accelerated weathering equals approximately three years of natural weathering.
Visual Inspection of Cladding
The next step would be to visually inspect the product for any kind of damage, fading, mold – things like that. And after taking a look at this, and knowing how long it’s been outside, we’ve decided to do a recoat on this product.
This product here is IKIGAI. This is a shou sugi ban product or a charred Accoya product.
And I think after we clean it and prep it and we get the finish on there, it’ll look just as good as the day it got installed*. So, let’s do that.
NOTE*: Maintenance and recoating guidelines vary by product. Contact reSAWN TIMBER co. for product-specific information.
IKIGAI Accoya – Before Cleaning & RecoatVisual Inspection of Exterior Cladding
Part 1 – Cleaning IKIGAI Accoya Exterior Wood Cladding
Step One – dampen the surface with water, using a garden hose if possible.
Step Two – apply reSAWN’s ready-to-use exterior wood cleaner using a soft-bristled brush.
NOTE: For lighter cleaning, the product can be diluted with water at a ratio of 1:2.
Step Three – scrub the treated area with a soft-bristled brush. That’s a nice soft-bristled brush. Working lengthwise along the wood until it is clean. For stubborn stains, repeating the treatment may be necessary.
Step Four – rinse thoroughly with water until all of the foam has been washed away.
Let the wood dry for a minimum of 24 hours before starting the recoat process.
Part 2 (Optional) – Recoating IKIGAI Accoya Exterior Wood Cladding
Step One – stir the oil finish provided by reSAWN thoroughly before use.
Step Two – once the clean surface is dry, apply a layer of oil finish supplied by reSAWN with a foam pad. Work length-wise across the boards. Maintain a wet edge to prevent any lap marks.
Step Three – wait for 1 to 3 minutes, allowing oil to penetrate. Then buff off traces of excess product with a piece of cloth.
Step Four – Let the surface dry for about 24 hours.
IKIGAI Accoya – AFTER Cleaning & Recoat
NOTE: Complete curing takes place after 7 days.
Cloths that are soaked in oil may spontaneously combust, and must therefore be submerged in water after use.
Accelerated Weather Testing at reSAWN TIMBER co.
At reSAWN, our Research & Development department ensures the quality assurance necessary to specify our exterior cladding products with confidence. Testing begins at the conception of a new product by placing the product on our accelerated weathering rigs. Our R & D team studies the finish performance and quality and structural performance of each product.
Accelerated Weathering is done at our facility in Telford, PA. Telford is located in the southeastern part of Pennsylvania in the Northeastern United States in the humid continental climate zone, with some characteristics of the humid subtropical climate that lies in Delaware and Maryland to the south. A humid continental climate is a climatic region typified by large seasonal temperature differences, with warm to hot (and often humid) summers and cold (sometimes severely cold in the northern areas) winters. Precipitation is usually distributed throughout the year. Telford experiences average temperatures of 25 °F to 45 °F in the winter and 65 °F to 85 °F in the summer. The average precipitation per month is around 3.5 inches with an average yearly precipitation of 41 inches. The average relative humidity for the year is 65%. The average UV index ranges from low-moderate in the winter (2-5) to high-very high in the summer (8-9).
Accelerated Weather Testing at reSAWN TIMBER co.
Materials are installed facing due South with approx. 8 hours of direct sunlight per day at a 45-degree angle to accelerate weathering. The actual weathering appearance and time frame at your site will be different depending on several factors including climate, altitude, and facing. In general, the acceleration factor is roughly 3:1 and so for example, 1 year of accelerated weather testing can be correlated to roughly 3 years of natural weathering. However, taking into consideration the usual high variation of test results obtained with wood samples and the variations in climate zones, facings, and weather — it is impossible to make an exact correlation to the time associated with weathering at your site.
[3:1 has to be qualified as it relates to the material being installed as vertical cladding in a Southern exposure in the Northern Hemisphere. 3-5 Years for Northern exposure. In both conditions, this assumes full UV Exposure. Cladding blocked by UV exposure will alter these estimated time frames. If reSAWN material is used as roof cladding (specifically 12:12 pitch) it’s a 1:1 correlation.]
At reSAWN TIMBER co. we celebrate and visually leverage wood’s inherent tendency to weather over time by designing modern, high-performance products that are meant to age in place with grace.
Six Square House, Bridgehampton, NY – IKIGAI Shou Sugi Ban
We work with woods’ natural tendency to grey, not against it. Our products look beautiful on day one and continue to as nature takes over. Each board works cohesively together yet each board has its own visual story. The result is modern originality & inherent textural beauty with each and every project.
While vertical and horizontal wood siding and cladding have been used as a building material for more than 10,000 years, a little rotation in woods orientation dramatically transforms how we understand building envelopes. When used as an architectural means of expression, unexpected wood slat assemblies can turn an ordinary project into something refined and special.
The MPavilion – Melbourne, Australia – Custom Abodo Vulcan Screening
Westmere House – Auckland, New Zealand – NERO Abodo Vulcan Slats & Cladding
Timber screening, which consists of multiple pieces of wooden slats is typically used for exterior & interior walls, ceilings, or as a second layer of a facade and constructed from long, narrow sections of high-performing real wood. Moving beyond timber’s traditional role as cladding or framing material, slats offer various design arrangements. Whether vertically or horizontally placed, they exude an element of style, warmth, and sophistication.
Westmere House – Auckland, New Zealand – NERO Abodo Vulcan Slats & Cladding
reSAWN TIMBER co. Headquarters – Telford, PA – Custom North American White Oak Slats
Wooden slats in architectural applications provide an aesthetically appealing way to soften facades while offering a solution for privacy, climate control, and shade from the sun. When combined with other adjacent materials, wooden slats can also act as enclosures.
Concern for the climate and environmental impact is propelling architects and designers to turn to an age-old building material with a new perspective. Since sustainably harvested wooden slats are durable, versatile, easy to work with, and beautiful they are increasingly utilized over traditional, unsustainable building materials. Wood grows naturally using energy from the sun, it’s renewable and recyclable. It is an effective insulator and uses far less energy to produce than concrete or steel. Additionally, technological advancements have introduced high-performance modified woods that perform well in diverse project applications and geographical locations.
What are Modified Timber Slats?
The aim of modified wood is to overcome the shortcomings of standard wood [timber]. The modification process enhances the performance of the wood, resulting in improvements in the longevity of timbers – dimensional stability, decay resistance, reduced water absorption, and less expansion/contraction. In addition, since most advanced modification processes are environmentally friendly, the materials can still be disposed of properly at the end of the product life cycle.
reSAWN’s modified wood offering for slats includes Accoya, Kebony, and Abodo. Our non-modified offering includes Alaskan Yellow Cedar and Western Red Cedar. The designs used vary greatly in color and aesthetics – from black to light, subtle grays and browns.
6 Square House – Bridgehampton, NY – reSAWN TIMBER co. IKIGAI Charred Accoya Wood Slats
What is Accoya Wood®?
An example of a chemical modification method in use is Accoya wood. It’s manufactured through the acetylation of plantation-grown Radiata pine. Accoya wood has been thoroughly tested for dimensional stability, durability, paint retention, and in-ground conditions to ensure optimal performance.
All of our Accoya products are FSC® certified and come with a 50-year warranty on the wood when used above ground; a 25-year warranty when used at/below ground level.
An example of the thermal modification method is Kebony wood. The Kebony technology modifies wood by forming stable, locked-in furan polymers in the wood cell walls. These increase the dimensional stability, as well as durability and hardness, of the wood. This process is based on impregnation with furfuryl alcohol, which is produced from upcycled agricultural crop waste. Kebony offers a 30-year warranty against rot for above-ground use.
McDonald’s at Walt Disney World – Bay Lake, Florida – reSAWN TIMBER co. HALLO Charred Kebony® Slats
McDonald’s at Walt Disney World – Bay Lake, Florida – reSAWN TIMBER co. HALLO Charred Kebony® Slats
What is Abodo® Wood?
Abodo thermally modified wood is another option that is durable and rapidly renewable. reSAWN TIMBER co.’s Abodo Vulcan slats are sourced from FSC® certified rapidly renewable New Zealand plantations. Engineered with a unique vertical grain, Abodo Vulcan slats have exceptional weatherability and maintain durability and beauty for a lifetime. Plus, with the release of an Environmental Product Declaration (EPD), Vulcan wood is the first verified carbon-negative feature timber. Abodo offers a 15-year warranty against fungal decay.
The Cottesloe House – Perth, Australia – Custom Abodo Vulcan Slats
The Grounds – Hobsonville Point, New Zealand – SiOO:X Abodo Vulcan Slats
The Grounds – Hobsonville Point, New Zealand – SiOO:X Abodo Vulcan Slats
The Grounds – Hobsonville Point, New Zealand – SiOO:X Abodo Vulcan Slats
The Grounds – Hobsonville Point, New Zealand – SiOO:X Abodo Vulcan Slats
Benefits of Utilizing reSAWN’s Wooden Slats in Architectural Applications
Research & Development – For each wood species, a certain understanding of how that species accepts finishes and how it will weather is crucial. reSAWN has the research, industry knowledge, and expertise to guide a specifier, builder, or end-user through the specification process.
Pre-Finished Options – reSAWN offers a variety of aesthetically pleasing, low maintenance, plant-based, environmentally responsible factory finishes in a wide range of color options.
Natural Durability – Our product offering is naturally durable, and does not include any chemical preservatives.
Energy Efficiency– Exterior wooden slats mitigate harsh sun and heat by blocking the sun’s rays.
Full Enclosure Wood Slat Facades – Slats can cover roofs in addition to facades which creates a delicate, one of a kind, seamless timber structure.
Project in Progress – Twin Gables Residence – Watermill, NY – SiOO:X Abodo Vulcan Slats
Builders can rest-assured when choosing a wall assembly that utilizes reSAWN TIMBER co.’s products, the result is durable, high-performance exterior building materials that are impervious to hazardous weather conditions.
Since reSAWN’s wooden slats are pre-finished in modern, beautiful tones, architects and designers can confidently specify our carbon sequestering, high-performance, aesthetically pleasing exterior options. Clients are left with a stunning, natural, one-of-a-kind facade that can be easily maintained throughout the product lifecycle.
If you’d like to learn more about specifying reSAWN TIMBER co.’s slats get in touch with us. We’re happy to assist.
Given rising labor & material costs and ever-expanding lead times, even the smallest element executed incorrectly can have detrimental implications to a project’s budget and schedule. Solid execution is particularly critical for exterior features that safeguard a structure from the elements. That is why field mockups for exterior wall assemblies have become such an essential part of planning during residential and commercial projects.
Mockups provide architects, designers, contractors, and owners the opportunity to assess an in-person, three-dimensional representation of a design so that functionality, aesthetics, and quality can be evaluated down to the smallest detail.
Lakeshore Drive Residence – Newtown Square, PA – Knight Wall Rainscreen System Mockup – Hidden Gutter System, reSAWN TIMBER co. NIGIRI & WABI SABI Cladding, Marvin® Windows, and 6” stone
The building enclosure (envelope, skin, facade, etc.) represents one of the greatest risk elements of construction. Water penetration, air leakage, and increased energy consumption are common consequences of poorly designed and constructed building enclosure assemblies.
Exterior wall cladding is the visible and exposed surface of a wall assembly and the primary water-shedding layer. It is subjected to the elements and must be constructed to endure long-term deterioration and weathering.
reSAWN TIMBER co. MARTELL Shou Sugi Ban – La Jolla, CA
Fortunately, a wall surface does not have to be completely waterproof in order to resist rain and snow. It simply needs to be able to prevent water from getting past the surface material and into the rest of the wall assembly. This concept is what led to the development of rainscreen layered wall assemblies – one of the most reliable ways of keeping exterior walls dry or allowing them to dry out when they do get wet. It’s reSAWN’s preferred method.
Lakeshore Drive Residence – Newtown Square, PA – Knight Wall Rainscreen System Mockup – Spire Builders
Rainscreen assemblies are built on the assumption that water does not move on its own. Rain and snow, the two most common types of water that fall on an exterior wall, are either pushed downward by gravity or pushed sideways by the wind. The airspace behind a building’s cladding or exterior finish has a significant impact on the physical consequences of rain on built environments and their ability to dry after getting wet.
A rainscreen deploys an outside surface – a rainscreen cladding layer – to break the power of sideways, wind-driven water movement, allowing any water that passes through the microscopic gaps in the surface to lose speed. The majority of water merely bounces off the surface or runs down the side of the building.
Why Do a Field Mockup for Exterior Wall Assemblies?
When specifying wood cladding materials for exterior applications, weathering is something that architects, interior designers, and building owners should keep in mind. Since wood is a natural material, when it’s continually exposed to environmental elements such as moisture, sunlight, and wind, the physical attributes of the material change and weather over time. With an exterior wood cladding assembly mockup, specifiers can choose products confidently, knowing that the cladding suits the exact exterior conditions where the structure is being built, by observing how it weathers and moves over time in a project-specific climate.
reSAWN TIMBER co. SURETO Cypress Shou Sugi Ban – (not shown in image) – Norwalk, CT – White Architects
Mockups create an opportunity to refine a design approach before the actual fabrication of components begins and before any unresolved or unknown issues are constructed into the building. Once completed, exterior wall assembly mockups serve to establish the technical, quality, and aesthetic standards for the wall cladding and the project.
The integrity of an exterior wall assembly depends on the performance of its individual components & systems and the transitions between said systems. By taking the time to construct and test a mockup, architects, designers, and contractors can be sure they have the proper materials, a working assembly, and quality execution.
Even with today’s photorealistic rendered images through building information modeling (BIM), full-scale mockups do more than a drawing or rendering can.
reSAWN TIMBER co. IKIGAI Accoya® Shou Sugi Ban Rendering – Bridgehampton, NY – Architect: Young Projects
Exterior wall system mockups allow project teams to touch, see and interact with the finished product while it’s still early enough to make changes without cost impact. Furthermore, since every structure and location is unique, and there are innumerable building material possibilities available, BIM or computer-aided design (CAD) detailing cannot resolve field-dependent variables the way a full-scale field mockup for exterior wall systems can.
reSAWN TIMBER co. IKIGAI Accoya Shou Sugi Ban Field Mockup – Bridgehampton, NY – Architect: Young Projects
reSAWN TIMBER co. SURETO Charred Western Red Cedar Shou Sugi Ban– Asheville, NC – Architect: Carlton-Edwards Design Build
When done correctly, the construction of a mockup allows a project team to collaboratively work out detailing and compatibility issues that arise during the course of construction, verify the proper function of the intended construction, and apply the results from the process to the project, thereby avoiding costly repeated defects in the completed residential or commercial building.
Benefits of Field Mockups for Exterior Wall Cladding Assemblies
Specify material confidently, knowing that the product suits the exact exterior conditions where the structure is being built.
Observe some amount of wood weathering in a project-specific climate.
Observe tolerance for wood movement in a project-specific climate. Most wood movement occurs in the first 6-8 months after installation.
Understand wood cladding appearance over a larger field of material.
Monitor effectiveness in rear ventilation & drainage through assembly details (i.e. rainscreens).
Mockups are useful for obtaining approval from stakeholders who may find it difficult to understand drawings and specifications.
With a mockup, project teams have the chance to see how the material will perform at the project site prior to full-scale construction.
Performance mockups provide assurance that the specified materials will function as required under a variety of extreme climatic conditions.
The most seasoned trade partners can benefit from using a exterior wall cladding assembly as a teaching tool to show teams how the work should be done. This reduces the risk of quality issues while improving the speed of construction.
In the interest of sustainability, creating a mockup to to help ensure materials will only have to be installed once, can proactively reduce waste on a construction project.
Creating and testing a building enclosure mockup on a small scale, ensures it is done right on a grand scale. It saves project time, money, aggravation, and waste.
This reSAWN made mockup was placed at an elevation of 7,000 feet near Lake Tahoe, California. The materials endured two consecutive harsh winters with heavy snowfall, ice, wind, and rain. The materials are weathering well despite the exterior conditions.
If you’re interested to see how reSAWN TIMBER co.’s exterior cladding will perform on your project site, we offer field mockups for wall cladding assemblies.
We meet the needs of architects, designers contractors, and building owners by designing modern, high-performance exterior products that are meant to age in place with grace.
The natural beauty, durability, and availability of wood have made it one of the world’s oldest and most sustainable building materials. Today, architects and designers use real wood not only in a traditional sense but also in highly imaginative ways – both visually and technically. From an end-user perspective, a common issue with choosing real wood cladding for exterior facades is the perceived ongoing maintenance and uneven weathering on different structure parts.
Uneven Weathering on Uncoated Exterior Wood Cladding
In the last decade, wood finish manufacturers such as SiOO:X Wood Protection have improved the category’s overall design and performance capabilities to solve common building envelope issues. Now there’s a wood cladding finish option that combats weathering and ongoing maintenance issues by taking advantage of several technological advancements.
The SiOO:X Wood Protection System is a reactive coating system that creates a unique protective barrier to timber. It is designed to minimize the frequency of maintenance when compared to other semi-transparent coatings by creating a surface that becomes more attractive as it ages. SiOO:X mirrors the natural aging process of wood by accelerating the creation of a weathered, silver-grey appearance while giving long-life protection in a completely environmentally friendly way.
This also solves the issue of uneven weathering where some areas fade due to UV exposure, and others don’t. SiOO:X creates a consistent grey tone that mimics the look of weathered wood subjected to years of exposure from exterior elements. With SiOO:X, the wood will resemble a weathered look starting around 10-16 weeks after exterior installation, depending on the area’s climatic conditions.
Abodo® Vulcan Cladding in SiOO:X Finish
Abodo Vulcan Cladding in SiOO:X Finish
How Does SiOO:X Work?
SiOO:X is a patented, two-part application silicon technology system. Part one protects and strengthens the wood’s structure, and part two seals and protects the application of part one until the curing process is complete. Once applied SiOOX cures by reacting with carbon dioxide and moisture in the atmosphere to form an insoluble and flexible silica network within the timber surface. The silicon molecules then grow and expand in the cells and around the wood fibers, deep into the wood, creating the network. The formation of the silica network toughens the surface of the timber and forms an effective barrier against moisture, insect attack, and rot. The network fuses the silicon to the wood, strengthening it while creating a unique silicon shield that protects and gives the surface a natural grey finish. SiOO:X wood protection can last up to 15 years.
Abodo Vulcan Cladding in SiOO:X Finish
SiOO:X Wood Protector is applied first – it opens up and penetrates surface fibers in the wood cells where it forms a network of silica crystals, creating a barrier bonded to the surface. An application of SiOO:X Surface Protector is then applied which binds with the Wood Protector and prevents water penetration.
Step 1 – The first component, SiOO:X Wood Protector, has tiny silicon molecules that penetrate deep into the wood, where they react and form a solid protective layer over time.
Step 2 – The second component, SiOO:X Surface Protector, acts to seal and protect the first component until it is fully cured, and at the same time forms an inert water-resistant envelope. SiOO:XSurface Protector allows the right amount of moisture to enter, ensuring optimum conditions for the continued process of hardening and mineralization. The result is timber with a beautiful and uniform grey-driftwood appearance, long life protection, and less maintenance overall.
Is SiOO:X An Environmentally Sound Wood Surface Protector?
Yes. SiOO:X is a water-based and environmentally friendly wood surface protector inspired by how nature protects itself using silicon. Silicon is a naturally occurring mineral found in the natural world. It is in trees, other plants, and humans. Trees and plants absorb silicic acid from the soil which dissolves in water and is then transported in trunks and stalks, precipitating out in the organisms and making them stronger. The same natural process strengthens both teak wood in the rain forests and aspen trees in Swedish forests.
Petrified Log and Welwitschia at Namibia
Silicon also preserves wood. This can be seen in trees with petrified wood, which can be found in many locations worldwide. The cellulose in petrified trees is replaced with silicon, protecting them from the weather for millions of years.
What Are The Benefits of Using SiOO:X Wood Protection?
SiOO:X works with wood to protect against:
Sunshine and UV rays
Rain, frost, and snow
Rot
Algae and mold
Termites other unwanted insects
Advantages of SiOO:X Wood Protection:
Low Maintenance – Timber finished with SiOO:X can be regarded as low maintenance and can be left for 5-7 years before considering re-application. The wood will have cured to a naturally weathered appearance when a recoat is suggested in most circumstances. If a weathered appearance is desired, reapplication is not needed nor required.
Aesthetics – SiOO:X provides a long-term weathered look in a short period of time while keeping wood protected for years.
Penetrating – Non-film-forming coating penetrates into the timber surface and forms a natural protective barrier.
Natural – Plant-based ingredients that are safe for people and the environment.
Red List Free – Free from Red List chemicals as required by the Living Building Challenge.
Water-borne – Only water is needed for clean-up. No solvents are required.
Product Performance from Patented technology – SiOO:X carried out extensive tests at their sawmill and production site. In addition to this, they have an independent piece of research underway in conjunction with Napier University’s Centre of Wood Science and Technology. See test results here.
Abodo Vulcan Cladding in SiOO:X Finish
Benefits of Specifying SiOO:X Prefinished Exterior Cladding from reSAWN TIMBER co.
Research & Development – For each wood species, a certain understanding of how that species accepts finishes and how it will weather is crucial. reSAWN has the research, industry knowledge, and exterior wall assembly expertise to guide a specifier, builder, or end-user through the process. reSAWN TIMBER co.‘s Research and Development team has tested SiOO:X Wood Protection extensively. Repeated testing found wood surfaces do consistently become more attractive while resisting wear, wind, and weather in even the most demanding conditions. reSAWN’s weathering guidelines are available for prospective specifiers and customers.
State of the Art Finishing and Texturing Equipment – Our state-of-the-art finishing and texturing equipment offers sophisticated results that cannot be achieved during site finishing.
Maximum Finish Penetration – Our machine applications ensure proper spread rates are maintained. SiOO:X is brushed deep into the surface for a longer product life span.
Drying Time & Space – Drying racks that hold wet cladding on a job site are costly and take up much-needed space. reSAWN TIMBER co.’s prefinished wood materials are finished and dried in a controlled environment prior to arriving on a job site.
Product Protection – Wood siding is protected from exposure to water and sunlight until it arrives at the construction site.
Save Space – Save physical space on a job site by eliminating the coating phase from the construction process.
Year-Round Finishing & Installation – No weather or humidity delays for stain application. reSAWN’s manufacturing facility is climate controlled and operates 12 months out of the year.
Abodo Vulcan Cladding in SiOO:X Finish
How Long Does It Take For Exterior Wall Cladding To Become Silver-Gray?
Treated wood is initially yellowish-brown and a bit mottled. The curing and bleaching process starts in contact with water, and after 6–12 months, the cladding will begin to have a lovely, even silver-grey tone. The curing and bleaching process then continues for up to 2 years by which time the timber will be a pale, grey driftwood color.
SiOO:X Finish – Day 1
SiOO:X Finish – Weathered 6 Months
Will all exterior areas cure to the same tone, regardless of exposure to rain and other climatic elements?
Yes, however extremely sheltered areas (for example, under large overhangs) may take longer to turn entirely grey. Sheltered areas can be doused with water periodically to speed up the curing/weathering process. This process can be repeated several times as required.
Abodo Vulcan Cladding in SiOO:X Finish
This color variation evens out quickly and, over a period of 10-16 weeks once exposed to moisture and humidity in the atmosphere, the timber will lighten and develop a uniform appearance as the SiOO:X cures.
If I order exterior cladding pre-coated in SiOO:X, what color will it be when delivered to a job site?
Immediately after the application of SiOO:X, the color can range from the wood’s original color to a dark brown. The color of the boards may also vary depending on the tannin content.
Job Site Photo: Sag Harbor, New York – Abodo Vulcan Cladding in SiOO:X Finish
Abodo Vulcan Cladding – SiOO:X Finish
What’s the Best Timber Substrate?
SiOO:X works on many types of timber; however, according to SiOO:X Technologists: “Abodo Vulcan Cladding is recommended. It’s a thermally modified softwood that is durable with low movement. These are key aspects to maximize the performance of the SiOO:X wood protection system.”
Abodo Vulcan Cladding by reSAWN TIMBER co. finished in SiOO:X
“Furthermore, the medium density of Abodo Vulcan timber combined with its textured sawn face means that the reactive wood protection can penetrate well into the timber and react with it to create the best possible durability.”
When Abodo Vulcan Cladding is finished with SiOO:X Wood Protection system, the result is timber with a beautiful and uniform grey driftwood appearance, long life protection, and less maintenance overall.
Abodo Wood Manufacturing Facility, New Zealand
Abodo Vulcan thermally modified wood cladding is created from New Zealand plantation timber and engineered with a patented vertical grain orientation for superior weathering characteristics.
The thermal modification process and vertical grain structure give Vulcan cladding superior stability and reduced resin content. It’s naturally durable so the timber doesn’t require any chemical preservatives, and has a beautiful, consistent brown tone. reSAWN TIMBER co. is proud to be the exclusive manufacturer and distributor of Abodo thermally modified Abodo Vulcan Cladding and in the USA.
Abodo Vulcan Cladding Ceiling Soffits in SiOO:X Finish
Experience the Difference of Wood Protection with Patented Silicon Technology
SiOO:X Wood Protector products are specified by world-leading architects, designers, and homeowners seeking sustainable and natural wood protection solutions. Experience the difference of an even consistent, beautiful patina and wood protection that preserves wooden surfaces and protects them at depth using nature’s own silicon technology.
Samples of our SiOO:X prefinished wood are available for architects and designers at no cost and shipped via UPS Ground. Click on the button below for more information about SiOO:X prefinished exterior cladding.
Whether you’re an architect, builder, or designer at some point decisions need to be made about the exterior envelope of a built environment. There are many exterior siding options on the market, such as fiber cement, metal panels, brick, stucco, and stone to name just a few. However, from a durability and sustainability standpoint, there is nothing quite like genuine wood siding. Besides bringing warmth and beauty to the exterior of a home or structure, sustainably harvested timber cladding is renewable, dimensionally stable, and solid. When finished with care and expertise, exterior wood cladding can handle harsh weather conditions with grace while maintaining beauty for years to come.
Why Finish Real Exterior Wood Cladding?
Wood is a natural, sustainable material. As such, when unprotected wood is exposed to outdoor elements like moisture, sunlight, and wind it begins to weather. Without a protective coating or treatment, exposed wood such as siding and trim will change in appearance in a few months or years when compared to the look of day 1 installation. Protecting and maintaining timber cladding is key to keeping it looking at its best for years to come. Finishes protect wood from the elements by preventing UV deterioration, moisture absorption, and staining from mildew and extractives. Finishes also improve the service life of topcoats and are often used to achieve a certain visual aesthetic.
Prefinished wood cladding, also known as machine-finished or factory-finished is pre-coated or finished to a certain specification by a manufacturer prior to it being installed at a job site.
Even for the most experienced painter, it can be difficult to avoid minor on-site mishaps like oversprays, streaks, drips, job site dirt pick-up, or lap marks. Utilizing prefinished wood products provides several advantages over site finishing. When factory finished exterior wood cladding products are specified, it expedites field time and provides a consistent, fully vetted, quality-controlled product that can be installed year-round.
Benefits of Specifying Prefinished Cladding from reSAWN TIMBER co.
Research & Development – For each wood species, a certain understanding of how that species accepts finishes and how it will weather is crucial. reSAWN has the research, industry knowledge, and exterior wall assembly expertise to guide a specifier, builder, or end-user through the process.
ChoosingFinish Options – We will ensure that the correct species and finish is selected for aesthetics, optimal coating, and product life cycle performance. Depending on which species is selected, many different finishes are possible.
Environmentally Responsible Finishes – Our finishes are ultra-low/zero VOC, plant-based, sustainable and can contribute to LEED projects.
Aesthetics – Our designs display wood’s sought-after texture and character in their rawest form and provide a bespoke, modern, natural, visually appealing facade with exceptional durability results.
State of the Art Finishing and Texturing Equipment – Our state-of-the-art finishing and “texturing” equipment offers sophisticated results that cannot be achieved during on site finishing. While allowing for the beautiful natural variations inherent to wood, each board will be consistent in color from end to end and from the first piece to the last piece.
Maximum Finish Penetration – Our machine application ensures proper spread rates are maintained. Finishes are brushed deep into the surface for a longer product life span.
4 Sided Protection – reSAWN’s products are sealed on all 4 sides, including the backside and the tongue and groove ensuring total protection from UV and moisture for the best protection.
Drying Time & Space – Drying racks that are used to hold wet cladding on a job site are costly and take up much-needed space. Prefinished wood materials are finished and dried in a controlled environment prior to arriving on a job site.
Product Protection – siding is protected from exposure to water and sunlight until it arrives at the construction site.
Cost – Prefinished wood siding may appear to cost more however this differential is made up for in terms of time saved. Factory-finished cladding can be installed much more quickly when compared to a facade that needs to be installed and painted. In many cases, the all-in cost of site finishing is likely to be more or at least equal to buying prefinished.
Save Space – Save physical space on a job site by eliminating the coating phase from the construction process.
Year-Round Finishing & Installation – No weather or humidity delays for stain application. reSAWN’s manufacturing facility is climate controlled and operates 12 months out of the year.
Easier Maintenance – Our prefinished products look beautiful on day one and continue to weather as nature takes over – with little to no aesthetic maintenance needed. This leaves more time to enjoy the product and less time taking care of it.
Maintenance FreeOptions – Save time and money. Modified wood brands like Accoya® and Kebony® don’t require any maintenance or additional treatment beyond standard cleaning.
Prefinished Exterior Wood Cladding Provides Many Aesthetic Benefits
At reSAWN TIMBER co. we celebrate and visually leverage wood’s inherent tendency to weather over time by designing stunning, modern, high-performance products that are rigorously tested and meant to patina gracefully. We offer a variety of aesthetically pleasing, low maintenance, plant-based, environmentally responsible factory finishes in a wide range of color options. If there’s a specific color, stain or texture needed our finishing experts can craft the desired custom finish with ease.
Custom Shou Sugi Ban Charred Accoya by reSAWN TIMBER co.
We developed our exterior prefinished product lines based on a need in the building materials market, the observations of experienced industry leaders, and a first-hand understanding of customer desires and expectations. That, combined with our exceptionally durable species offering and stunning No/ Ultra-low VOC finishes, will help maintain the value of a wood investment for many years to come. reSAWN offers a multitude of high-performing prefinished exterior species that include western red cedar, Atlantic white cedar, Abodo, Accoya, and Kebony. In addition to weathered finishes, reSAWN’s exterior offering includes award-winning charred designs.
Pre-Weathered Designs
From day one, our pre-weathered designs pay homage to wood’s naturally warm and cool tones without the need to wait years for it to patina. The prefinished material mimics the look of textured wood that has been exposed to years of exterior elements and left to weather with grace. This design solution solves for wood’s natural propensity to gray out by resembling a weathered look at the time of installation, with little aesthetic change as it ages in place. Color and weathering expectations are set at the time of material specification since there will be little to no change in the color of the wood as it ages. reSAWN’s pre-weathered offerings are sustainably harvested in the United States.
ROARING 40s by reSAWN TIMBER co.
In many structures that utilize interior and exterior cladding, there’s a visual division between the exterior wall cladding and interior wall cladding. With our pre-weathered wood designs, there can be a seamless interior/exterior aesthetic from day one when prefinished exterior cladding is continued into the interior of the structure.
We work with a number of wood finishes to recreate the look of weathered wood. For example, SiOO:X is a premium wood protector that provides a long-term weathered look while providing protection – and can last up to 10+ years. This protection lasts a long time, so maintenance cycles are lessened considerably. In addition to the protective benefits gained, as the mineral silicate cures over time, it will start to turn the timber a beautiful, even silver/greyish tone starting from 10-16 weeks (depending on the timber species the weathering period may vary).
Charred Designs
reSAWN’s CHARRED offering includes modified woods like Accoya and Kebony, Abodo, cypress, cedar, black walnut, reclaimed hemlock, and newly harvested western hemlock. The designs and species used vary greatly in color and aesthetics from a fully charred black to light, subtle gray.
We apply our own interpretation to the ancient Japanese shou sugi ban process and take great pride in designing shou sugi ban products on high-performance modified woods. Modified wood aims to overcome the shortcomings of standard timber. The modification process enhances the performance of the wood, resulting in improvements in the longevity of timbers – dimensional stability, decay resistance, reduced water absorption, less expansion/contraction, etc. In addition, since most advanced modification processes are environmentally friendly, the materials can still be disposed of properly at the end of the product life cycle.
MATSU Shou Sugi Ban Charred Accoya by reSAWN TIMBER co.
Using modified wood as a base for charring increases the durability of the wood, which makes it an excellent choice for a dimensionally stable option that will perform well when exposed to harsh exterior conditions like snow, sun, and rain. Plus, charcoal stays on the surface of modified wood much better than standard softwood species that will chip over time. Our modern manufacturing techniques allow for a higher production yield and many design variations.
reSAWN TIMBER co. Philosophy
The reSAWN team works with wood’s natural tendency to grey, not against it. Our prefinished products look beautiful on day one and continue to as nature takes over – with little to no aesthetic maintenance needed depending on aesthetic expectations.
ZEPHYR by reSAWN TIMBER co.
Each board works cohesively together, yet each board has its own visual story. The result is modern textural beauty & inherent originality with each and every project. From the start, expect color and texture that is one-of-a-kind and incredibly interesting.
Samples of our prefinished wood are available for architects and designers at no cost and shipped via UPS Ground. Click on the button below to explore reSAWN’s complete product offering – sort by species, color, or application.
