Wood is a unique, renewable natural resource widely used in construction. However, untreated, virgin wood is a largely imperfect material for construction purposes. Due to its natural properties and species, wood can be dimensional unstable, susceptible to mold and rot, and attractive to wood-destroying insects and other pests. Some wood species and varieties have a dull color, significantly limiting their use as a finishing material.
To minimize the negative effects of wood's properties, construction material manufacturers and, most importantly, scientific researchers are constantly searching for treatments that will mitigate these negative properties while extending the life of the material.
Currently, a wide range of wood processing methods exist, some of which are primarily aimed at altering the chemical composition of the material. Wood is a natural resource primarily composed of cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin. These various wood treatment methods were invented and implemented precisely to eliminate the environment conducive to the growth of fungi and mold, as well as to destroy food sources for insects. The key criterion for choosing a wood modification method is chemical modification of the material with minimal environmental impact, as well as the creation of an environmentally safe product, especially when it comes to using wood in the construction and finishing of residential buildings, saunas, and baths.
Thermal modification (or thermomodification) of wood is a method that allows for the production of a material that largely meets these requirements. Thermal modification in a special atmospheric environment produces a durable and long-lasting material, and the key reaction in thermal modification—the "caramelization" of sugars—creates the wood's noble brown color and enhances the natural texture of the product.
Thermal modification of the boards at our facility takes place in sealed, specialized autoclave ovens at an operating temperature of 180–200°C, in an air-steam environment under an excess pressure of 1 atm, for 24 hours. This procedure allows us to produce a natural product that is completely safe for human use, especially in steam rooms, and also extends the life of the bathhouse or sauna itself.
During the thermal modification process, the boards also acquire an aesthetically pleasing appearance—a pleasant caramel-chocolate or cognac hue, depending on the wood species used.
We thermally modify wood species such as aspen, alder, African abash, New Zealand radiata pine, Russian pine and spruce, ash, paulownia, and larch. Thermoaspen, Thermoabachi, and Thermoradiata are currently in steady demand in the sauna industry in many countries worldwide. More detailed information about the materials manufactured at our facility can be found in the catalogue.