At ThermaPro Wood, we don't just make claims about sustainability; we demonstrate it through our products which are proudly manufactured in the USA. It's worth mentioning that ThermaPro Wood is produced by our parent company, Spartan Forest Products, based in Pennsylvania.
First, what is the definition of sustainable development? According to the United Nations, 'Sustainable development meets the needs of the present without sacrificing the ability of future generations to meet their own needs'. Put more simply, sustainability means using natural resources responsibly today to ensure they are available for future generations. The idea is that we need to balance economics, ecology, and social welfare for the betterment of future generations which places the forest sector right at the heart of a growing bio-based economy.
The value of forests for humanity and the environment is undeniable. Wood products hold immense importance socially, economically, and environmentally. However, over the past 50 years, the use of sawn timber in many building applications has significantly decreased, reducing its role in sustainability where it should be used the most.
When evaluating the sustainability of wood and wood building materials several factors are important: the resource itself, lifespan, energy savings, and environmental impact. These factors often intersect and together contribute to sustainable practices in construction and manufacturing. Let's explore each of these.
Wood – The Resource
Wood is a natural and fully renewable resource that can be regrown repeatedly and requires less energy to produce compared to other building materials. Sustainably managed forests not only produce wood they maintain and provide clean water and wildlife habitat. ThermaPro Wood is made from domestically grown and sustainably sourced Southern Yellow Pine. Why SYP? Because it is a fast-growing, dense softwood from locally managed forests that is ideal for thermal modification. Plus, it’s more cost-effective than hardwood and exotic species.
We work with suppliers throughout the Southeastern United States whose forests are sustainably managed or certified to Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) criteria, this ensures that all of our timber is responsibly sourced before it is thermally modified. Healthy managed forests are better for the environment and prevent wildfires.
If you are interested in learning more about the modification process, including wood species, you can check out “Understanding the How & Why of Thermally Modified Wood.”
Lifespan of Thermally Modified Wood
Thermally modified wood is known for its exceptional durability. The modification process makes the wood resistant to warping, cupping, rotting, and insect damage, allowing it to outlast non-modified and chemically treated wood when properly installed and maintained for exterior applications. With less frequent replacement needed, it minimizes resource consumption and waste. Additionally, when thermally modified wood reaches the end of its current use, it can often be repurposed, further enhancing its sustainability creds.
For architects and designers, its extended lifespan addresses the challenge of designing for durability and longevity for sustainable construction projects.
Energy Savings
The thermal modification process increases the density of the wood improving its insulating properties by up to 30%. This increase in insulation offers energy savings for homes and buildings that utilize thermally modified wood for cladding or paneling.
Here is something cool (literally) and little known about thermally modified wood. Thermal wood has a high solar reflectivity rating which means a. It reflects solar radiation back into space so it does not contribute to global warming and b. It does not absorb the sun's heat as much as plastic materials. This means your A/C doesn’t work as hard, and your feet don’t burn when used for decking or walkways - unless you live in the desert of course.
Environmental Impact of Thermally Modified Wood
The thermal modification process uses just heat and steam—absolutely no chemicals so it is non-toxic and doesn’t contain any plastic like composites and other alternatives. This means we have plenty of environmentally friendly and eco-friendly benefits to discuss.
By using only heat and steam, thermally modified wood is completely non-toxic and low-emitting so it meets air quality standards when installed in building interiors. However, this can change when you add a sealer or stain. The longest-lasting exterior sealers do contain chemicals, but there are a few natural options available.
Thermally modified wood is biodegradable. It can be recycled into panel board, paper, or wood pellets, and many people are reusing old wood to create items like reclaimed wood paneling and décor items. Because it’s biodegradable and recyclable, thermal wood is eco-friendly and doesn't harm our natural resources.
Now let’s talk carbon – carbon footprint and carbon storage. Trees absorb and store carbon as they grow, and that carbon remains in the wood when it is processed into lumber. Wood also has a naturally low embodied carbon, meaning it doesn't produce pollution or carbon waste. Plus, did you know that wood is carbon neutral when harvested sustainably?
The carbon footprint of wood product production involves factors like transportation, electricity and water usage, recyclability, and waste. Environmentally conscience wood product manufacturers take these factors into consideration when managing their production processes.
Thermally Modified Wood – The Ultimate Green Resource
Thermally modifying fast-growing wood like pine isn't just about preserving rainforests—it's a game-changer. It's the ideal alternative to chemical-heavy wood and synthetic building materials, and hands down, the most sustainable, eco-friendly, and durable exterior building material out there right now.
For designers and architects, thermally modified wood offers numerous options to meet today’s green and sustainable building design trends. It's not only eco-friendly and sustainable but also aesthetically stunning, allowing designers to harness the warmth and beauty of real wood in a variety of ways. It also qualifies for several LEED credits for rapidly renewable and low-emitting materials. Architects and contractors should become more familiar with the numerous benefits of thermally modified wood. It's highly stable, lightweight, predictable to work with and produces non-toxic dust. And while some think it is more expensive than alternative materials, there are brands of thermally modified products that won’t break the bank.
So, let's recap — it's sustainable, renewable, eco-friendly, and beautiful. Thermally modified wood can be used for many outdoor applications, bringing the warmth and rich color of real wood to building exteriors, porches, walkways, fences, outdoor furniture, and even interior applications like accent walls and cabinetry. It qualifies for green building projects and LEED credits and is a durable, long-lasting natural building material. I do believe that’s thermally modified wood for the sustainable win!
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