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 ScreeningWestmere 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 & CladdingreSAWN 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® SlatsMcDonald’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 SlatsThe Grounds – Hobsonville Point, New Zealand – SiOO:X Abodo Vulcan SlatsThe Grounds – Hobsonville Point, New Zealand – SiOO:X Abodo Vulcan SlatsThe Grounds – Hobsonville Point, New Zealand – SiOO:X Abodo Vulcan SlatsThe 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 SlatsTwin Gables Residence Rendering – 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, CAreSAWN TIMBER co. GRAPHITE Abodo Vulcan Cladding – Utah
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, 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
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.
In an unprecedented reversal of American history the US population is becoming less concentrated in urban areas. Many Americans are moving out of big cities and metropolitan areas en route to the suburbs, exurbs, and rural areas.
As more and more people live in and around forests, grasslands, shrub lands, and other natural areas—places referred to as wildland-urban interface, or WUI zones—problems related to wildfires are exacerbated. There are more wildfires due to human ignition. Wildfires that do occur pose a greater risk to lives and homes, they are hard to fight, and it becomes impossible to let natural fires burn.1National Academy of Sciences Furthermore, the expenses to reduce fire hazards, battle rapidly spreading fires, and protect homes and human lives have risen pointedly in recent decades.
What is the Wildland Urban Interface (WUI)?
The wildland urban interface consists of geographical areas where human development and infrastructure (e.g., cell towers, schools, water supply facilities, etc.) meet or intermingle with undeveloped wildlands.
They are locations where wildfires have their greatest impacts on people and property. WUI zones are of concern for the public, federal, state, and local governments, so wildfire mitigation and preparedness are necessary when living within WUI zones.
Where is the Wildland Urban Interface Within the US?
Across the United States, wildland-urban interface zones in areas within California, Utah, Arizona and Oregon are experiencing wildfires. California has the most densely packed WUI in the United States.2Rethinking the Wildland-Urban Interface. Currently, they have just over 11.2 million people living in about 4.46 million homes across 6.7 million acres. Six of the twenty largest wildfires in California history were part of the 2020 wildfire season. Five of the new wildfires ranking in the top 10 were all a part of the August 2020 lightning fires. 3California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE)
In the Pacific northwest and the lake states, forests are the predominant wildland fuel. In southern California, chaparral brush predominates. The plains states have grass and oak woodlands, New Jersey has Pine Barrens, and the southeast has pine and hardwood forests.4FEMA
Given that wildfires can occur in any wildland area; and the number of acres burned has been increasing; and the number of houses in the WUI is increasing, federal, state, and local government agencies are focusing more on promoting the concept of “fire-adapted” communities. 5USDA A fire adapted community is defined by the United States Forest Service as “a knowledgeable and engaged community in which the awareness and actions of residents regarding infrastructure, buildings, landscaping, and the surrounding ecosystem lessens the need for extensive protection actions and enables the community to safely accept fire as a part of the surrounding landscape.” 6The Fire Adapted Communities Learning Network
The Fire Adapted Communities Learning Network
Introduction of Wildland Urban Interface Construction Codes
As of January 2008, the 2007 California Building Code (CBC) went into effect along with the inclusion of Wildland Urban Interface building standards. For building products to be used in the (WUI) or State Responsibility Area (SRA), regulations require that building products comply with specific directives. In terms of fire resistance and ignition resistance the primary goal of the WUI code is to hold construction practices to higher standards in the built environment. When a home or structure is designed and built with attention to detail and careful consideration of complaint building materials, it increases the chances of a structure’s survival in a wildfire.
California Fire Standards for WUI Compliant Exterior Wood Products
According to California Building Code (CBC), the minimum requirement for building envelope components such as siding/cladding is that an exterior wall covering or wall assembly shall comply with one of the following requirements:
Wall assemblies that have been tested in accordance with the test procedures for a 10-minute direct flame contact exposure test set forth in ASTM E2707 with the conditions of acceptance shown in Section 707A.3.1
Wall assemblies that meet the performance criteria in accordance with the test procedures for a 10-minute direct flame contact exposure test set forth in SFM Standard 12-7A-1.
The benefits of using real wood cladding with wall assemblies that meet the performance criteria set forth in SFM Standard 12-7A-1 are tremendous:
When compared to noncombustiblebuildingmaterials such as steel and masonry, using WUI compliant exterior wood cladding and wall assemblies offer a sustainable, environmentally friendly, carbon neutral solution.
Ignition resistant fire-retardant-treated wood is impregnated with chemicals, so the use of paints, coating, stains or other visually pleasing surface treatments are not an option.
From an architectural and design perspective, WUI compliant exterior wood cladding has many aesthetically pleasing options to suite any project, with a bevy of species and finish options to choose from.
Exterior timber cladding is a versatile, timeless building material that works well in traditional or contemporary architecture.
Not only is real wood recyclable and biodegradable, but it also has strength, toughness, and durability that rivals many other exterior facade options on the market today.
reSAWN TIMBER co.’s Abodo® Vulcan Cladding was recently tested on an exterior wall assembly in accordance with the California Standards Code, Chapter 12-7A, SFM 12-7A-1 (Siding Materials for Exterior Wall Siding and Sheathing). The test simulated wildfire conditions using full size 4′ x 8′ panels that were exposed to a flame of 150 Kw for ten minutes. After, the panels were then observed for 60 minutes to check for further flaming. In order to gather accurate results, the process was repeated three times.
There is an absence of flame penetration through the wall assembly.
There is an absence of glowing combustion on the interior of the assembly after 70 minutes.
A test for siding in both a horizontal and vertical orientation is required to be sure of performance.
reSAWN TIMBER co.’s Abodo Vulcan Cladding is WUI Compliant
reSAWN TIMBER co.’s Abodo Vulcan cladding passed the test for both horizontal and vertical orientations for upcoming inclusion in the WUI Products Listing. A copy of the test results can be found here. The result? Abodo Vulcan cladding is now a compliant wildland urban interface building material.
SFM Standard 12-7A-1 Test Requirements
Test Results
Pass/Fail
Absence of flame penetration through the wall assembly at any time.
Flame penetration through the assembly was not observed during the full duration of the test
PASS
Absence of evidence of glowing combustion on the interior surface of the assembly at the end of the 70-minute test
Evidence of glowing combustion on the interior surface of the assembly at the end of the 70-minute duration for all three tests was not present
PASS
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. A fine-sawn face provides beautiful grain depth and optimal coating performance.
Builders can rest-assured when choosing a wall assembly that combines reSAWN TIMBER co.’s Vulcan Cladding with fire-rated sheathing or gypsum board, the result is durable, CAL FIRE WUI compliant exterior siding that is impervious to hazardous weather conditions.
Since reSAWN’s Abodo Vulcan Cladding is pre-finished in modern, beautiful tones, architects and designers can confidently specify carbon negative, high performance, visually pleasing Vulcan exterior siding in wildland-urban interface zones. 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’s CalFire compliant Abodo Vulcan Cladding in Wildland Urban Interface zones, get in touch with us.
For specifiers and building owners who are considering roofing options for a new or existing structure, weighing the pros and cons of building material options is part of a typical build process. Roofing material is highly visible and takes a beating from climatic elements, so choosing a high performing, durable, energy-efficient material is a must on the priority list.
In the United States and throughout the world, the former and current concerns about climate change and the environmental health of our planet are propelling a large number of homeowners, architects, interior designers, and building owners to search for sustainable, eco-friendly building materials. Due to this much-needed shift in focus, timber cladding products have seen a resurgence and are steadily becoming the material of choice for many buildings and structures that we see in our cities and suburbs today.
To be clear, cladding is the application of one material over another to provide a skin or layer. In construction, cladding is used to provide a degree of thermal insulation and weather resistance, and to improve the appearance of buildings. Cladding can be made of a wide range of materials including timber (real wood), metal, brick, vinyl, and composite materials that can include aluminum, blends of cement and recycled polystyrene, wheat/rice straw fibers.[1] When we refer to timber cladding (as it’s commonly referred to in Europe), we’re referring to real wood cladding or as it’s typically known in the United States, exterior siding.
According to Statista: The green building market will be among the fastest-growing industries worldwide. The number of LEED-certified projects in the United States rose from 296 certifications in 2006 up to over 67,200 in 2018.
Revenue Forecast for Fastest Growing US Industries (2012-2017) – Statista
When it comes to roofing materials, wood cladding that is sustainably harvested is arguably one of the few environmentally-sound roofing options. It’s well-positioned as an eco-friendly alternative to Zinc roofs which have been popularized in recent years.
SiOO:X Abodo Vulcan Screening – Cardrona Cabin
Real wood is a renewable and recyclable resource. It’s energy-efficient to produce, it performs well over its lifetime, and at the end of the product life cycle, can be disposed of or up-cycled in an environmentally sound, and friendly manner. Plus, timber stores carbon, which plays an important role in reducing carbon emissions outdoors.
The application of exterior wood cladding protects structures from outdoor elements like sun, wind, rain, and snow and helps to maintain the structural integrity of the built environment as well.
reSAWN’s MONOGATARI Exterior Cladding – Shelter Island Pool House
The Revival of Real Wood Siding in the Built Environment
Evidence of the timber cladding revival becomes increasingly obvious when we look to current day exterior and interior designs in the architecture, design, and high-end construction industries. Timber is regarded as the ‘natural’ building material of choice and its use denotes an industry shift to choosing building products that are a good fit for the built environment and our planet.
Kebony Wood – Architect: WAM Design Photo by: Urban Front
Examples of timber-clad roofs can be found in areas within northern Europe, like Norway, Sweden, Finland, and beyond. Scandinavian style, vertically laid timber-clad structures have been an eco-friendly, highly-stylized choice for many architectural designs throughout history and in modern applications as well.
Kebony Clear Exterior Cladding – Architect: Pitman Tozer Photo by: Nick Kane
The United States has seen an uptick in interest for timber roof cladding and timber clad structures within recent years – especially in progressive areas like the Hudson Valley region of New York state, Los Angeles, California, and the Hamptons on the southeastern end of Long Island. The design typically utilizes the same timber cladding species and finishes on the exterior walls and the roof which creates a bespoke, avant-garde, seamless timber-clad structure. Exterior cladding can be installed in many different configurations and patterns, though timber-clad roofs are typically installed vertically. This style is ideal in modern architectural designs where the slope of the roof is highly considered and regarded as a key focal point.
Accoya Wood on Entire Exterior: Façade, Roof, Outside Deck and Dock – Cabin by the SeaArchitect: Tommie Wilhelmsen
Weathering Characteristics of Real Wood Roof Cladding
When real wood cladding is exposed to environmental elements such as moisture, sunlight, and wind, the physical attributes of the material will change in appearance in a few months or years, aesthetically evolving over time. Weathering should not be confused with rotted or decayed wood. Wood rot is a form of decay that results from a combination of fungi (microscopic organisms) and moisture. Wood must be consistently damp to foster fungi growth since fungi will not grow on dry wood. On the other hand, weathering is a surface phenomenon that typically only affects a small portion of the surface area. The material will stay almost unaltered for a long time. If modified wood is used for the application, maintenance is not needed to keep a warranty valid with certain manufacturers, like Accoya. The weathering characteristics of real wood cladding create a unique, timeless, and durable roofing material. The benefits and style cannot be recreated or mimicked with any other roofing option on the market today.
Architect: S3 Architecture LLC – Reed House
Timber Roof Cladding Benefits
Timber cladding is a versatile, timeless building material that works well in traditional or contemporary architecture.
Real wood cladding offers a range of aesthetically pleasing, environmentally friendly species & finish options.
In most cases, a timber-clad roof does not need to be replaced in its entirety. If damage is found on a wood plank roof, only the damaged boards need to be replaced.
Aside from bringing warmth and beauty to the exterior of a home/structure, timber cladding is dimensionally stable, water-tight, and high performing. It handles harsh weather conditions with grace.
When it comes to weathering of wood plank roofing, the shift from day-one color to soft greys & light brown tones is an aesthetic by-product to be savored and celebrated.
When you choose wood cladding for your clients you can guarantee a modern, one-of-a-kind aesthetic that cannot be replicated. Each board works cohesively together, yet each board has its own visual story.
Wood has the lowest carbon footprint of any conventional building material. It requires less energy to create the finished product than other manufacturing materials such as concrete, metal, or plastic. Plus, most of the energy used comes from renewable biomass like sawdust which is a natural byproduct when timber is sawn and milled.
Due to air pockets in its cellular structure, wood is a natural insulator. Therefore, it is 15 times better than masonry, 400 times better than steel, and 1,770 times better than aluminum, according to Planet Arch.
Not only is wood cladding as a roofing material renewable, recyclable and biodegradable, but it also has strength, toughness, and durability that far exceeds many other roofing options on the market today.
Timber Roof Cladding Product Options
Modified wood brands like Accoya,Kebony & Abodo are great options for timber roof cladding. State-of-the-art wood modification processes enhance the performance of real wood, resulting in improvements in the longevity of timbers – 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.
Accoya Wood – Cabin by the SeaArchitect: Tommie Wilhelmsen
Selecting clear vertical grain timbers is also an option since straight-grained timber is more dimensionally stable in challenging environmental conditions. WILLIWAW by reSAWN TIMBER co. features Alaskan yellow cedar that is sourced from Alaska to Oregon and intended to provide a high performing, natural material with a weathered aesthetic. In addition to modified wood and Alaskan yellow cedar, reSAWN offers a multitude of high-performing exterior species that include western red cedar and Atlantic white cedar. We also offer charred designs, which are inspired by the Japanese tradition “shou sugi ban.”
Best Practices and Installation Suggestions for Wood Roof Panels
EJOT® EJOBAR PVC – The Simple-Fix Solution for Reinforced PVC Membrane
EJObar is a multi-purpose bridging bar that creates a fixing base for a wide range of applied systems, including wood roof cladding. It’s easy to use for almost anything that needs to be secured onto or over the single-ply membrane system.
Simple to Use and Easy to Install
EJObar can easily be installed to new or existing reinforced PVC single-ply membrane roofs where approved by the specific membrane manufacturer. For applications where an item needs to be restrained or secured to an approved reinforced PVC membrane, like wood cladding, especially where resistance to uplift is required, EJObar should be hot-air welded by a suitably qualified installer.
EJObar Benefits:
Clean, professional solution – no penetration of the roofing membrane is required
Creates a strong, watertight fix
Ideal for most single-ply membranes
Ideal for carrying applied cladding systems
Practical, adaptable, and low in cost
Easy to weld or can be used free-standing
The profiles can be fitted on a new build and just as easily on an existing roof membrane as long as it is in good condition
The lightweight profile can be used as carrier support for cedar shingles, metal or wood planking, or as a carrier for trellising for vegetation.
EJObar is supplied in a number of helpful lengths and consists of a PVC profile that encases a solid aluminum insert with two end caps sealed tightly. Contact us for section details of recommended roof assembly when using EjotBar and reSAWN Cladding.
EJOT, the maker of EJObar is a family-owned business headquartered in northern Germany. The company was founded in 1922 and consists of 5 manufacturing sites in 10 countries.
reSAWN TIMBER co. is dedicated to providing high-performance, long-lasting wood roof cladding material, and has developed its product line based on observations of experienced industry leaders and a first-hand understanding of architectural market needs. If you’d like to learn more about using our timber cladding as a roofing material with the EJObar, get in touch with us. We’re happy to assist.
reSAWN makes no claim to the effectiveness of the designs or the performance attributes that can be expected if any of the following details are executed on a project. As is always reSAWN’s recommendation, all project conditions should be executed ahead of time via performance and/or a visual mock-up well in advance of material delivery to the project site. All architectural details and attachment solutions should be vetted by an architect or engineer prior to installation.
The stay-at-home orders and quarantines in place across the world have many homeowners taking advantage of the additional time at home by jumping into neglected renovations and improvements. According to LikeFolio, consumers mentioning home renovation ideas on social media doubled from normal levels in just two weeks during the start of the pandemic in March 2020.
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.
IBX Center for Innovation – Philadelphia, PA.
reSAWN's BLACK & TAN Reclaimed Hemlock Wall Cladding &
BELLEPORT Black Walnut Flooring.
It’s not always feasible or practical to spend more time outdoors, especially in facilities like schools, hospitals, daycare facilities, and workplaces. Fortunately, we can take steps to minimize exposure to indoor toxins by choosing healthier, more sustainable products and building materials. Not only are they better for the environment, but some natural materials and products are proven to have physiological and psychological benefits for humans when brought indoors.
According to many authoritative studies, exposure to wood products indoors creates similar health benefits to those created by spending time in nature. Incorporating natural materials such as real wood cladding and 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.
Private Residence: reSAWN's SANTA ANA Weathered Western Red Cedar (STK) Wall Cladding.
This report examines the growing body of research showing the range of health and wellbeing benefits of living, working, and learning in environments rich in wooden furnishings and fixtures. “An increasing body of research is beginning to show that being surrounded by wood at home, work or school has positive effects on the body, the brain, and the environment and can even shorten hospital stays through reduced recovery times,” said Chris Philpot, Make it Wood Campaign Manager at Planet Ark.
The report also found:
Wood products within a room have been shown to improve indoor air quality by moderating humidity. This effect occurs due to wood absorbing and releasing moisture in order to maintain equilibrium with the surrounding air, known as the equilibrium moisture content. Wood, therefore, absorbs moisture from the air in humid conditions and releases moisture in dry conditions.
Residents in aged care facilities interact more with each other when surrounded by wood.
Students in classrooms that feature more wood have lower heart rates and stress responses than students in classrooms featuring plastic and metal.
Two out of three workers prefer offices with wooden chairs, desks, and blinds over the same office with those items made from plastic.
According to Planet Ark, the studies show that although many consumers aren’t aware of the health and wellbeing benefits of wood indoors, designers, architects, and contractors are getting on board with sustainable building practices. Sustainable building practices in homes and commercial settings integrate design and development techniques that improve energy, water, and resource efficiency, indoor environmental quality, reduce environmental impacts on the job site; and/or are accredited by a third party to the National Green Building Code, LEED for homes or some other green rating program.
Major Trends in the Use of Wood for Interior and Exterior Use
A convergence of five major trends enhances the case of wood buildings and wood interiors for economic, organizational, and human benefits:
Changes in construction codes allow for bigger and larger wooden buildings.
The public and big investors are urging the government to take action to combat climate change; while the spreading of green building certifications promotes sustainable development and building upgrades.
Employers who are concerned with enhancing the well-being of their employees are incorporating strategies to enhance indoor environmental quality.
A growing body of research documents the benefits of green buildings to health and productivity, particularly those using wood construction or finishing.
Corporate sustainability approaches tie environmental and human resource priorities more closely together.
A recent 2020 study conducted by Dodge Data & Analytics and the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) says the percentage of dedicated green single-family home builders has steadily grown from 18% in 2014 to 21% in 2019.
What is Biophilia?
The best proof of the human and organizational benefits of wood is based upon the biophilic properties of wood. Biophilia is the term coined by the Harvard naturalist Dr. Edward O. Wilson to describe what he saw as humanity’s “innate tendency to focus on life and lifelike processes,” and to be drawn toward nature, to feel an affinity for it, a love, a craving. When people come into contact with nature, their neural, physiological, and psychological responses contribute to lower tension, lower blood pressure, more relaxation, positive moods, and increased focus.
Biophilic design incorporates natural elements into the construction of buildings and their interiors. Wood is one of the few natural resources that can accomplish four important goals simultaneously: reduced carbon emissions; enhanced resilience in the life cycle of a building; improved well-being for the occupants; and increased organizational benefits from having safer, happier, and more efficient workers.
Selecting wood as a construction and interior finishing material is easier than one might think. With many different species to choose from, there are plenty of options that’ll suit one’s construction needs and/or aesthetic desires. Some wood is optimal for insulation, others for acoustics, grain pattern, color, appearance, and others for structural frames, walls, floors, ceilings, and furniture.
Hotel Del Coronado – Coronado, CA. reSAWN's BARTEK European White Oak Flooring.
At reSAWN TIMBER co., we value being stewards of the environment by working to source timber that is sustainably harvested, has wide and prolific availability, and is able to quickly rejuvenate. We provide wood species with low/zero VOC finishes & FSC options that have compelling environmental advantages over scarce slow-growing hardwoods, woods treated with toxic chemicals, and non-renewable carbon-intensive materials such as plastics, steel, and concrete. Our products can help with your next sustainable building project. If you’d like to learn more about how reSAWN TIMBER co. can assist, contact us today.
Samples 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.
