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Articles: Thermowood - The ultimate Siberian Larch alternative
What is Thermowood?
When it comes to modified timbers suitable for external use, Thermowood is the quintessential product. It’s durability, longevity and resilience are comparable to high grade softwoods yet being only a fraction of the price.
Now supplying in a variety of profiles! Click or tap the link boxes on the right of the page.
Prior to the economic sanctions, Siberian Larch was a very popular timber in the timber trade when a cost effective yet durable and resilient product was required.
Siberian Larch, gone into more detail in this article, is ideal for a variety of external projects such as external cladding and decking.
What alternatives are there to Siberian Larch
Due to Siberian Larch's scarcity with no improvement in sight, people have had to look for alternative solutions. The problem is, comparable natural timbers tend to be far more costly.
Not only that, timbers that compare in longevity and durability such as Canadian Western Red Cedar don’t share the same rigidity and density that Siberian Larch is renowned for, so where it might match Siberian Larch for suitability in your external cladding project, it isn’t suitable for decking projects.
Is there an alternative to Siberian Larch?
There is one product that shines in this scenario, and we're delighted to share it as our latest product addition.
Thermowood is a product developed as an eco friendly, chemical free alternative to options such as pressure treated softwood. The timber used to produce Thermowood is a high grade Scandinavian Redwood.
With a quality species at its base, Thermowood is kilned in special kilns which steams the timber whilst simultaneously maintaining very high temperatures, this unique process permanently modifies the timber at a cellular level.
This thermal modification significantly enhances the Thermowood creating a stable, durable and resilient finished product. Recognized by the BRE (Building Research Establishment) which promote a 30 year service life when utilized as cladding and decking. Its unique structure also prevents distortion in extreme temperatures (-40 degrees to 40 degrees C) and is far more stable which in turn yields less distortion, such as swelling, shrinkage, cupping and warping.
Because no chemicals are used in this treatment process there are no risks involved and the natural process doesn’t create chemical leakage where other chemically impregnated timbers would.
Additionally, as a finished product, Thermowood has a more natural and uniform aesthetic suitable for immediate fixing. Chemically treated timber however tends to tint the timber an unattractive olive green hue. This is why impregnated softwoods are used in the concealed aspects of a project, such as fixing battens.