The Long Lasting and Sustainable Solution 

Thermowood production – as scientifically based industrial timber modification – has been in active use for more than few decades, while in recent years its demand has gained surprising momentum. The context of sustainability and green economy leaves no doubt about the unique advantages of this modified timber. 

Thermowood is essentially natural wood, processed with heat (180–215°C), steam and water in specifically adjusted and controlled heating cycles. Being entirely ecological and free of any chemicals, the treatment process irreversibly modifies physical and chemical properties of timber resulting in extremely durable and exceptionally sustainable material, friendly to both humans and nature. The modification also improves its dimensional stability and thermal insulation qualities. 

Unlike ordinary wood, thermowood contains no natural resins nor formaldehydes. It has a pleasant scent, its weight is lighter, and texture subtler, smooth to touch. After undergoing a full processing cycle, thermowood acquires its typically warm caramel tint. The surface can be safely exposed to the elements outside, although, with time, the natural UV radiation will transform the colour to greyish hue.

Thermowood is irreplaceable in environments with dramatic temperature and humidity fluctuations, which makes it an ideal material for outside cladding, decking, balconies, fences, and saunas. Due to its aesthetically pleasing appearance, eco-friendliness, and dimensional stability, thermowood is an increasingly popular choice in contemporary interior design. 

We have been specializing in thermally modified timber since 2009, and our top-notch, CE certified BROLIS TIMBER thermotreatment plant has been running full speed since 2022. We offer You premium sustainable thermowood products, designed and manufactured in accordance with the highest technological and sustainability standards of the European Union, using carefully selected PEFC-certified (PEFC/01-31-1212) raw material, mainly Nordic pine.

We can also offer luxury knotless products made of thermotreated Ayous (a.k.a. abachi, obeche, wawa).

Our manufacturing process takes place in a strictly controlled environment and is set to the highest standards of quality in accordance with the technology developed by Jartek. With fifteen years of experience in thermowood development, we can confidently offer You the best products on the market.

The Advantages of Thermowood 

(Family villa in Giruliai. Project: DO ARCHITECTS. Photo: Laimonas Ciūnys, 2018)

Durability 

Exceptional durability of thermowood (durability class 2, EN 350:2016) derives from its degraded carbohydrates – mainly hemicellulose and cellulose, which serve as food for rot-inducing fungi, bacteria, and beetles. 

This advantage is enhanced by a significantly lower equilibrium moisture content. Saprotrophic fungi become active when the moisture content of the wood exceeds 20%. When thermowood products are installed as recommended, above ground with proper ventilation (use class 3, EN 335:2013), the equilibrium moisture content of thermally modified timber will always remain well below 20%, regardless of the relative humidity of the air. This has a huge impact on the long term durability of the timber.

That is why, in outdoor conditions, thermally modified pine or spruce cladding can last for over three decades, and decking will serve at least 15-20 years, service time being shorter due to higher mechanical wear and loads. 

Note

Thermowood product surface is still susceptible to mold, as these microorganisms are capable of feeding on airborne particles. This has no impact on the structure of wood. Yet, it could be considered an aesthetic defect. The formation of mold can be avoided through coating and regular maintenance. 

In addition, improperly installed, unventilated thermowood in contact with the ground or rotting may last less than the time specified in the certificate.

Dimensional Stability 

Thermowood products shrink and swell twice as less than the untreated pine or spruce would. They are also much less likely to bend and warp.

This advantage is caused by chemical changes in wood – as the hemicelluloses degrade, the concentration of water-absorbing hydroxyl groups decreases, while the partly broken lignin polymer bonds eliminate the wood fibre tensions. Consequently, the dimensional stability of thermally modified timber improves significantly, compared with untreated wood.  

This quality makes thermowood an ideal choice for contemporary architecture – graphical facades, solar shades, hidden-fixing decking or clean-lined interiors. 

Note

Due to its organic nature, under outdoor conditions, thermowood could incur cracking. Although thermal modification reduces the wood fibre tensions, it does not eliminate the physical phenomenon of water getting into micro-ruptures and reacting to temperature fluctuations, which might cause timber cracking. 

Radial swelling of spruce as a function of relative humidity (source: VTT).

Tangential swelling of spruce as a function of relative humidity (source: VTT).

(Brolis Timber factory. Project: Regina Venckievič, Rita Tamulevičiūtė, Erinar, UAB; Photo: Vaidotas Darulis, 2023)

Sustainability

Raw material for BROLIS TIMBER thermowood is sourced from the renewable forests of Northern Europe. The PEFC label guarantees that wood is grown in the area of responsible forestry. 

Thermowood is a natural product, completely free of any additive chemicals. The qualities of wood are modified exclusively by heat, water and steam in a precisely controlled environment. Thermowood is an exceptionally ecological and much cheaper alternative to all the exotic wood species on the market. 

Timber is a very sustainable building material, in general, while thermowood – due to its prolonged lifecycle, non-polluting production and no-coating maintenance option – is an outstanding front-runner. During their growth, trees absorb and store carbon dioxide in their trunks and branches. Uniquely, even the fallen trees, transformed into timber products for construction or carpentry, continue to act as carbon storages for decades. Using timber in construction is proven to reduce the carbon footprint of buildings compared to other building materials, meaning that wood offers great potential to revolutionize the greenhouse gas emissions of the industry.  

Other Qualities 

Equilibrium moisture content 

Thermowood has a lower density than unmodified wood. This is the consequence of wood losing some of its compounds during thermal modification. With the equilibrium moisture of 6% (+20’C, RH 85%), the density of our thermowood ranges from 380 to 450 kg/m3, slightly varying from the structure of wood in a specific batch. The density values settle around 10% lower compared to the untreated northern pine or spruce. 

Wood density has direct impact on screw holding strength. While nail holding strength appears to be the same to that of untreated wood, due to thermowood’s lower density, the screw holding strength proves to be 10-20% lower than in regular wood.  The results are much better when smaller, pre-drilled holes for the screws are in use. 

Fire Resistance 

Compared with standard timber, thermowood causes a smaller fire load and its smoke production is lower. This is also due to lower density and smaller amounts of wood constituents and extractives.  

According to the European classification standard, thermowood is classified as D-s2-d0. When treated with fire retardants, the fire class can be brought up to Class B (B-s1-d0).

Plasticity 

After being treated to the Thermo-D class, thermowood loses its plasticity and becomes more brittle, therefore, unsuitable for heavy weight bearing constructions, unless additional support is provided.