Tropical or exotic woods like teak, ipe, ebony, mahogany, merang, and rosewood have long been coveted for their durability and beauty. However, this resource comes at a significant cost—the destruction of rainforests. Although they cover just 6% of the planet, rainforests are home to a remarkable 80% of the world's animal species, making them critical habitats. They also play a vital role in absorbing carbon dioxide and regulating the global water cycle.
The majority of tropical wood is obtained by clear-cutting endangered tropical rainforests. Clear-cutting involves leveling the entire forest floor which consists of many other species besides those used in building materials. This industrial logging removed two-thirds of the global tropical forest cover between 2004 and 2017.
To try to alleviate deforestation, exotic wood plantations now provide a small portion of teak and ipe lumber, however, these farmed trees lack the same durability as forest-grown tropical wood due to the maturity of the forest (mature teak takes 35-50 years) and its location.
In North America, wood is the #1 building material. Thanks to sustainable forest management for both hardwoods and softwoods, it is the only truly renewable building material. Unfortunately, the same can't be said for tropical or exotic wood species.
When you thermally modify these woods, particularly hardwoods like ash and oak, you get the ideal alternative to exotic wood. Thermally modified wood exhibits many of the same characteristics of exotics like lifespan, appearance, hardness, and eco-friendliness. It also has many advantages including:
Dimensional Stability Thermally modified wood absorbs up to 90% less water than unmodified or exotic wood. Less moisture equals less expansion and contraction which causes wood movement and cracking.
Appearance Thermal modification brings out the natural grain patterns in wood and results in a richer color.
Resistance to Moisture Thermal modification makes the wood hydrophobic meaning it does not absorb as much water. By reducing absorption sites for water molecules, you reduce its propensity to rot.
Resistance to Insects and Mold Thermal modification dehydrates the sugars that are a food source for bugs and fungi. Removing them makes the wood less attractive to insects and fungal growth.
Eco-Conscious The hardwoods and softwoods used in ThermaPro Wood products are grown in sustainably managed forests in the United States. They are completely renewable and don’t require intercontinental ocean freight.
Cost ThermaPro Wood, grown and manufactured in the USA, is less expensive than imported exotic and tropical wood.
While some thermally modified wood is more brittle than tropical woods, ThermaPro Wood has solved that problem by moving to the latest treatment method, ThermoTreat 2.0. This low-heat, high-pressure process results in an improved thermally modified wood product by using pressure to replace higher heat which can result in a brittle end product.
MAKE THE SWITCH
Thermally modified hardwoods contain the rich coloring and grain patterning found in exotic species and provide improved dimensional stability while costing less and saving vital rainforests. I’d say that’s a win-win all around. So, help us spread the word about the sustainable, eco-friendly alternative to exotic wood: thermally modified wood, from ThermaPro Wood.
Want to learn more about thermally modified wood? Check out our other education blog posts like this one: Examining the Sustainability of Thermally Modified Wood. If there is a topic you would like more information on, please email marketing@thermaprowood.com, and be sure to follow us on social media for more educational content.