Torrefied wood
Naturally sustainable and stylish wood without chemicals
Performance, aesthetics and durability — thanks to heat
Torrefied wood is an increasingly popular option for outdoor projects thanks to its refined look, increased weather resistance and natural durability. Resulting from an ecological thermal process, this wood is treated at very high temperatures in a controlled atmosphere, without the addition of chemicals.
This treatment profoundly transforms the cellular structure of the wood, eliminating the sugars and nutrients responsible for the development of insects, fungi and mould. The result: a naturally protected wood that is more stable, harder... and simply beautiful.
The torrefying process: heat at the service of performance
The treatment consists of heating the wood gradually:
- Phase 1: Temperature rise up to 130 °C with steam humidity control to prevent cracking.
- Phase 2: exposure to intense heat (185 to 215 °C) for several hours, removing the internal moisture from the wood.
- Phase 3: Cooling and conditioning, bringing the humidity level down to around 4%.
This process changes the molecular structure of the wood, reducing its ability to absorb water and increasing its resistance to warping, rot and microorganisms, without chemicals.
Advantages of torrefied wood
- 100% natural, no chemicals added
- Resistant to water, mildew and rot
- Inhospitable to insects and parasites
- Increased dimensional stability: less twisting, warping or splitting
- Perfect for exterior applications (decks, siding, soffits, siding, etc.)
- Consistent colour: dark brown to caramel, patina naturally over time
- Smooth, splinter-free finish — pleasant to the touch and safe
What to Know Before Installation
Torrefied wood is slightly more brittle than untreated wood, due to the reduction in its elasticity. It is therefore not recommended for load-bearing structures (beams, frameworks, etc.).
Technical recommendations:
- Plan for pre-drilling or use self-drilling screws to prevent cracking
- Follow a suitable installation technique to maximize durability
- Avoid applications requiring high material flexibility
Torrefied wood is a durable, aesthetic and ecological solution, ideal for those who want high-end wood, naturally protected, with minimal maintenance and good stability over time. It offers the warm look of wood, enhanced by a smooth and neat finish, while being environmentally friendly.
We like
- Its natural beauty and high-end look
- Its 100% thermal treatment process, without chemicals
- Its exceptional resistance to the vagaries of the Quebec climate
- Its safe finish — perfect for barefoot on a patio!
Torrefied wood is created from a treatment process at high temperature on green wood or dried wood. In this way , the temperature of the timber is raised by means of heat and steam to 100 ° C and then gradually up to 130 ° C. The steam is used to prevent the wood from cracking and action of this process chemically alters the properties of wood, reducing its moisture content and making it virtually zero. Thereafter , once the moisture content decreased, the temperature is increased between 185 and 215 ° C for 2 to 3 hours and the steam is used so that the timber does not burn. Once reached the desired properties , the temperature is reduced with a water spray system , then packaging and moistening the wood are performed to achieve a moisture content greater than 4 % . Thus , rather than incorporating a chemical timber , the latter is heated in a controlled atmosphere , which has the effect of eliminating the nutrients feeding insects , fungi and molds.
Thus treated wood ceases to be an environment conducive to the development of these parasites. In addition, after machining, it acquires a color and a smooth finish that enhances its appearance. Splinters become a thing of the past! The hardness and dimensional stability of the material are thereby significantly increased. In return, the heat-treated wood loses its elasticity, which limits its potential use in the construction field, especially with regard to structures and frames.
Following this treatment, the wood density becomes lower than that of untreated wood, so it is recommended to use torrefied wood for building structures. Moreover, this method reduces the ability of water absorption, increases the weather resistance and rot, improved stability of wood and provides a uniform color to the room.
Despite all this, torrefied wood requires execution of particular pose. Ordinary screws can be used to work this type of material. It will instead use self-tapping screws or perform drilling holes to prevent the wood from cracking.
Overall, the torrefied wood is a natural product free of chemicals..
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