Modified wood is a generic term that describes the application of chemical, physical, or biological methods that are used to alter the cellular structure of the wood. The U.S.D.A. ‘s National Forest Service Library defines modified wood as “wood that is processed by chemical treatment, compression, or other means, with or without heat, to impart permanent properties quite different from those of the original wood.”
The aim of modified wood is to overcome the shortcomings of standard timber. The modification process enhances the performance of the wood, resulting in improvements in the longevity of timbers – dimensional stability, decay resistance, reduced water absorption, less expansion/contraction, etc. In addition, since most advanced modification processes are environmentally friendly, the materials can still be disposed of properly at the end of the product life cycle.
