Whether you’re working on a commercial or residential project, stairs are likely essential to the design. The initial step to obtaining a perfect stair package involves designing and requesting a quote, which can be an unfamiliar realm for many people.
Stair packages are pre-designed stair systems with all the necessary components to build a staircase. When searching for a stair package, it is imperative to understand the different types of packages available and the elements that make up a stair package.
Stair packages can be categorized into two main types: pre-manufactured and custom-built. Pre-manufactured stair packages are pre-designed and pre-built and are often less expensive than custom-built packages. They come in standard sizes and designs and can be easily installed by a professional. On the other hand, custom-built stair packages are designed and built specifically for a project. They offer more flexibility in design and size and can be tailored to specific needs and preferences.
Components of a Stair Package Delving into the components of a staircase provides insight into its structural elements and empowers you with a deeper understanding of the design options available. By familiarizing yourself with each part of the staircase, you gain clarity on how these elements can be tailored to suit your design preferences and functional requirements. Some key components of a stair package include:
Stair treads: The horizontal surface of each step.
Risers: The vertical surface between each step.
Stringers: The structural support that runs along the length of the stair and supports the treads and risers.
Landings: The flat platform located at the top, bottom, or intermediate point where the stairs change direction and/or a transition area between two sets of stairs or between a flight of stairs and a door or hallway.
Handrails: The railing that runs along the side of the stairs for safety and support.
Balusters: The vertical posts that support the handrail.
Custom Stair Packages Choosing a custom stair package brings design ideas to life, creating spaces that uniquely reflect your style. From the smallest details to the overall look, each part should be carefully crafted to blend beauty with practicality. Getting a quote for custom stair package kick-starts the process, opening discussions to ensure everything matches your vision perfectly. Knowing what you want, and need is a crucial part of obtaining an accurate estimate.
Some of the things to consider when defining stair project requirements:
The type of stringer configuration you have (e.g., closed, open on the left or right, mono-stringer, etc.).
The number of treads required and the associated dimensions.
The number of risers required and the associated dimensions.
Whether or not you need nosings at intermediate landings or at the top of stairs.
The product you want for the stairs and accompanying parts to match (see floor offerings).
Any special requirements you might have (e.g., ADA compliance).
Understanding the various options and project requirements is key to seamlessly integrating stair packages into your project. It is imperative to create and review architectural blueprints, measurements, and specifications. Any discrepancies could result in erroneous quotes and potential setbacks to project timelines. Working with a designer, providing precise details on the stairs, and outlining project needs early can help facilitate the provision of a more accurate and prompt quotation.
reSAWN TIMBER co. offers high-quality custom stair components and custom-built stair packages based on project needs. We provide an array of profiles for treads, risers, nosings, reducers, thresholds/saddles, wall bases, T-molding, and other essential trim offerings. From modern marvels to timeless classics, our diverse profile offering, and meticulous craftsmanship promise to transform vision into reality. Our goal is to provide bespoke solutions that enhance the aesthetic appeal of a project while ensuring durability and functionality, tailored precisely to specifications.
Earth Day 2024 spotlights the theme “Planet vs. Plastics,” drawing attention to the pervasive use of plastic and its detrimental effects on the environment. While plastic remains a staple material in numerous industries, its profound negative impacts on Mother Earth are undeniable. However, how do plastic and natural products diverge, particularly in building materials?
Within the domain of building façades, particularly in the wall cladding category, two prominent options stand out: wood and plastic. While both offer solutions for protecting and enhancing structures, they differ significantly when it comes to environmental impact, aesthetics, and long-term sustainability. Understanding both materials’ characteristics and their implications for sustainable construction practices will further help all decision-makers in a project make informed decisions.
Timber holds a longstanding reputation as a renewable, sustainable building material. Responsibly sourced and managed wood cladding significantly reduces carbon footprints for the environment. Wood serves as a carbon sink throughout its lifecycle, from the growth of trees to the production of timber and building materials. This process actively removes carbon dioxide from the environment, aiding in mitigating greenhouse gas emissions. The regrowth process of trees is also beneficial to the environment; the process sustains and balances ecosystems, absorbing carbon from the atmosphere and enriching soil health. This natural process further enhances environmental resilience by storing carbon within the soil.
Plastic, on the other hand, is a synthetic material derived from fossil fuels. Its production process generates substantial greenhouse gas emissions and contributes to climate change. While in use, plastic products degrade into microplastics over time, slowly polluting our environment. Microplastics pose significant threats to ecosystems by contaminating soils, freshwater systems, and the air, thus impacting biodiversity. Unlike wood, which biodegrades and can be recycled or repurposed, plastic persists in the environment for centuries releasing harmful chemicals and microplastics into ecosystems.
While wood cladding and plastic siding offer solutions for building façades, their environmental impact, aesthetics, and long-term sustainability vary considerably. Wood is a natural resource and a sustainable option for our environment. Wood cladding offers environmental benefits and contributes to human health and well-being by connecting occupants with nature. Incorporating natural materials such as wood can elevate indoor air quality, alleviate stress, and boost productivity—fostering healthier and more sustainable built environments in the long run. By embracing a renewable, energy-efficient, and visually pleasing building material, we can all contribute to a greener future while creating beautiful and resilient structures that endure for generations.
Join the movement towards sustainability in construction. Contact us today to explore eco-friendly options for your building projects.
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.
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.
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.
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.
reSAWN TIMBER co. is proud to be the exclusive manufacturer and distributor of ABODO® thermally modified Vulcan cladding and decking products in the USA.
Based in New Zealand, ABODO prides itself on producing a range of beautiful and durable timber solutions that are safe, sustainable, and renewable. The company has a strong ethos around ensuring its timber is ethically sourced and demonstrates extended producer responsibility. 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.
At reSAWN TIMBER co. we celebrate and visually leverage wood’s inherent tendency to weather over time by designing modern, high-performance, sustainable products that are meant to age in place with grace, so ABODO’s ethos was a natural fit. ABODO’s design ethos has two core components:
Lifetime Beauty ABODO timbers are crafted to be enjoyed for years to come. Designed to age with grace, while maintaining durability and beauty for a lifetime.
With tomorrow in Mind ABODO timbers are harvested from New Zealand’s FSC® certified rapidly renewable plantation forests. They are ethically crafted with respect from beginning to end – allowing us to meet today’s increasing needs without disadvantaging future generations.
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.
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.
Vulcan cladding is available in a range of architectural profiles and it’s supplied pre-finished in Abodo Protector Oil (Abodo’s high performance penetrating exterior oil), so there’s no need to finish boards on-site.
ABODO NERO & SiOO:X Exterior Vulcan Cladding
Benefits of Specifying ABODO Vulcan Cladding
Outstanding dimensional stability, resulting in less aesthetic maintenance and therefore less coating over the lifetime of the product.
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.
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 time of dispatch. It does not require acclimation prior to installation.
Vulcan has little or no corrosiveness on most metals (equivalent to untreated softwood) and can be placed in contact with most building materials Normal PVA, PU, MUF glues, and RF resins can be used.
Expected dimensional change in structure: Width expansion approx 2%, length expansion approx 0.25%, thickness expansion approx 2.5% (from 7% MC to fiber saturation -variation will occur between boards).
Vulcan is approximately 50% more stable than flat sawn Radiata pine.
Glue: New generation polyurethane adhesive – VOC, solvent, and formaldehyde-free.
Thermally modified pine is resistant to most wood-boring insects.
SFM 12-7A-1 – WUI Exterior Wall Siding and Sheathing
ABODO STRAW Vulcan Cladding
ABODO NERO Vulcan Cladding
Pre-Finished Vulcan Cladding Options
Vulcan Cladding is available prefinished with Abodo Protector Oil, SiOO:X surface treatment, or reSAWN’s exterior oil finish.
Abodo Protector Oil: Nine reSAWN TIMBER co. designs (GRAPHITE, PATINA, NERO, STRAW, PEARL, WALNUT, MANUKA, TEAK) are pre-finished with Abodo Protector Oil. Abodo’s Waterborne Protector Oil will nourish and protect external timbers. It uses the latest in waterborne oil technology combining refined plant oils, UV protection, advanced water barrier composition, and an enhanced fungicidal package for superior exterior performance.
SiOO:X One reSAWN TIMBER co. design (SiOO:X) is pre-finished in Sioo:x natural wood coating. SiOO:X is a patented Silicon technology, which silvers off to a beautiful, low maintenance finish. Following application on timbers, Sioo:x cures by reacting with atmospheric carbon dioxide and moisture to form an insoluble and flexible silica network within the timber surface. The formation of this silica network toughens the surface of the timber and forms an effective barrier against insect attack and rot. In addition to the protective benefits gained, as the mineral silicate cures over time it will start to turn the timber a beautifully even silver/greyish tone starting from around 10-16 weeks (depending on the climatic elements). From reSAWN’s experience, boards will initially go darker and then lighten over time. The end result is timber with a consistently weathered, light grey driftwood appearance.
reSAWN’s Exterior Oil Finish: One reSAWN TIMBER co. design (STERLING) is pre-finished with a non-toxic odor-free one-coat oil-based sealer for all types of exterior wood. Most oil-based wood sealers have petroleum solvents that are hazardous. This is the first zero VOC oil-based finish to raise the bar and offer long-lasting wood protection without the off-gassing of toxic chemicals.
Vulcan cladding’s fine sawn face allows a depth of grain, optimal coating performance, superior beauty, durability, and weathering characteristics.
ABODO Vulcan Decking
ABODO for reSAWN decking is created from thermally modified New Zealand plantation timber. It’s treated with an organic preservative system that includes water repellent for superior durability.
The thermal modification process gives the material enhanced stability, reduced resin content, and is a beautiful homogeneous brown color. The premium-grade, reeded face has little to no corrosiveness to most metals and can be coated on site.
Benefits of Specifying Vulcan decking
Natural Stability – Vulcan Decking is manufactured with a vertical grain orientation, which means the timber has great stability, even in harsh conditions.
Easy Fix – Abodo products do not require pre-drilling. That means you can install faster.
Forest Stewardship Council (FSC®) Certified – A guarantee that forest products come from responsibly managed sources, including forest management and chain of custody.
Red List Free – Free from Red List chemicals as required by the Living Building Challenge.
Built to Last Warranty – Vulcan Decking is covered by a 25-year warranty.
ABODO Decking uses a patented glue lamination for a modern, clean vertical grain orientation. It provides superior weathering characteristics, greater stability, and less surface cracking – this means the wood ages with grace as its left to weather outdoors.
Samples of our ABODO products 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.
We are excited to share that a project featuring reSAWN TIMBER co.’s NIGIRI shou sugi ban charred Accoya® wood won an award at ULI Baltimore’s Annual WaveMaker Awards.
ULI Baltimore’s annual WaveMaker Awards recognize outstanding local real estate development projects, as well as Lifetime Achievement and Leadership Award winners. The winning projects were selected based on the following criteria: Completeness; a Sense of Place and Quality; Sustainability; Visionary and Emulation; and a Need.
reSAWN is humbled to share that PI.KL architecture design studio in Baltimore Maryland chose our custom shou sugi ban charred Accoya® on their Broadway Market project.
2019 AIA Excellence in Design Awards
Broadway Market was recognized with two awards at the 2019 AIA Baltimore Excellence in Design Awards:
AIA Baltimore Excellence in Design Award Honorable Mention
AIA Baltimore Good Design = Good Business Award
It was included amongst so many deserving projects of all scales. We’re so happy to be a part of such an important community revitalization.
“The design team did a fantastic job updating the 200-year-old market to better support business and the community. They showed great attention to detail—the doorways are amazing. You can tell a lot of care went into restoring the market. The jury was impressed with the take on the “black box”—by providing a layer of glass between the box and the facade of the brick structure, the design acknowledges the history of the building and the woodshed structure. The jury appreciated how the shou sugi ban treatment draws the user to see the difference between old and new”. – AIA Baltimore
We’re so honored that Studio B Architects chose to specify reSAWN’s DUNCAN 2.0 shou sugi ban Western Red Cedar exterior cladding at the “Blur House” in Boulder, Colorado.
Studio B received 2 awards at the 2019 AIA Colorado design awards celebration for the project.
Award of Distinction for AIA – North
Award of Excellence for AIA Colorado
The AIA Colorado Annual Design Awards honor the most outstanding work of AIA Colorado members and their firms, which reinforces the value of great architecture and highlights members’ positive contributions to the community.
