Thermally Modified Wood

WDE-Maspell S.r.l

Heat-Treated Wood from WDE – Maspell

Thermally modified wood, often called Thermowood, is an eco-friendly, completely chemical-free alternative to pressure-treated wood.

Cutting-Edge Technology
WDE Maspell's technology is built on continuous and innovative development since 1962. With over 90 international patents, advanced engineering solutions are combined with carefully selected materials to ensure maximum performance and reliability.

Key Features:
► Servo-controlled loading system for high precision
► Fully automatic, double-acting control system for drying and heat treatment
► Remote monitoring via the internet – alarms, real-time data, and data logging
► Safety systems for fire and power outages
► 40 programs easily adjustable via touch panel
► Stainless steel (304) chambers for high corrosion resistance
► Inverter-controlled motors for maximum energy efficiency

Heat treatment offers many benefits, including increased resistance to rot and fungi, improved stability, reduced cracking, and enhanced insulation.

How It Works
The wood is heated up to 214°C. The process is completed before the wood begins to char. Heat treatment alters the chemical structure of the wood, thereby changing its properties. This treatment enhances several key characteristics, including dimensional stability, resistance to rot and fungi, and improved insulation values.

The Result
The wood turns a rich golden brown throughout. When exposed to direct sunlight without surface treatment, it gradually develops a beautiful silver-gray patina. The finished product is ideal for outdoor applications such as cladding, decking, doors, windows, fences, and garden furniture. Its golden-brown hue also makes it suitable for indoor furniture, flooring, and wood paneling.

What Is Heat-Treated Wood?

It has long been known that burnt wood gains increased stability and is more resistant to rot and fungi. The Vikings already used fire to treat the wood for stakes and shipbuilding to make it last longer. Unfortunately, burning the wood also made it dry and brittle. Today, a technique has been developed to overcome these issues.

Today's heat-treated wood offers many benefits, including resistance to rot and fungi, improved stability, and completely free from chemicals and heavy metals, to name just a few. Heat treatment can be applied to a wide range of wood species.

The color of the wood changes with temperature and exposure time. The higher the exposure temperature, the darker the wood becomes. The color is uniform across the entire piece, both inside and out.

Mass loss is the best indicator and guarantee of treatment intensity and is closely linked to thermal degradation. Variations in equilibrium moisture content correlate with the exposure temperature.