Thermally Treated Wood vs Traditional Lumber: Benefits, Uses, and Is It Worth It?

 Thermally treated wood is becoming a more popular choice among homeowners, architects and builders looking for longer-lasting and sustainable building materials. This innovative wood product is used for exterior siding and decking, cladding, exterior structures or any other use where wood stability and weather resistance are desired, but without the use of chemicals.

But what is thermally treated wood and is it a good choice for a project? This guide will explain how it's produced, their benefits, common uses, and how it compares to the traditional lumber.



Thermally Treated Wood: What is it?

Thermally treated wood is wood that is heat modified in a controlled manner. The wood is dried in a low oxygen environment at temperatures of more than 180°C (356°F) during the manufacturing process. In this way, the moisture content of the wood is lowered and natural sugars that attract fungi and insects change in the wood are reduced.

Thermally treated wood is a form of wood that is more durable than pressure-treated wood, but without the chemicals. The end product is a wood product that is more dimensionally stable and less prone to moisture related issues.

Benefits of Thermally Treated Wood

1. Improved Dimensional Stability

The thermal modification process is one of the most significant benefits of thermally modified wood because of its stability in varying weather conditions. The heat treatment has a significant moisture absorption reducing effect thus causing less expansion and contraction of the wood during the year.

This stability gives a reduction in the following:

  • Warping
  • Twisting
  • Cupping
  • Shrinking

This can be a big plus for exterior applications with appearance and structural performance requirements.

2. More resistance to decay.

The nutrients that fungi require for growth is decreased during heat treatment. Consequently, thermally treated wood has natural durability that is greater than untreated wood.

None of the woods is maintenance free, but thermally treated ones are more likely to work well outdoors in humid conditions and seasonal weather variations.

3. Beautiful Natural Appearance

Another advantage of the thermally treated wood is its look. The color of the wood darkens during the heating process, producing rich brown colors generally, not just on the surface.

This luxury shot is suitable for:

  • Contemporary homes
  • Modern commercial buildings
  • Luxury outdoor spaces
  • Natural landscape designs

As time goes on, untreated surfaces start to acquire a beautiful and natural silver-gray patina and remain structurally sound.

4. Chemical-Free Alternative

Thermally treated wood has no added preservative chemicals; unlike pressure-treated wood. This makes it a preferred option for projects that are environmentally conscious and prioritize sustainability.

Thermally modified products are offered by many designers because of their natural beauty yet high out-of-doors performance.

Common Applications

Thermally treated wood is used in many residential and commercial applications, such as:

  • Exterior siding
  • Decking
  • Rainscreen cladding
  • Privacy screens
  • Outdoor furniture
  • Pergolas
  • Ceiling applications
  • Landscape structures

It is very aesthetically pleasing, which is the reason why it is very popular in modern architectural designs.

Thermally treated wood is more durable than traditional lumber.Thermally treated wood is stronger than traditional lumber.

While traditional wood is still a great material to build with, it tends to change more than most with moisture and seasonal weather fluctuations.

Thermally treated wood has the following advantages over conventional lumber:

  • Better dimensional stability
  • Better wear and tear resistance.
  • Reduced maintenance requirements
  • Extended life in numerous exterior applications
  • Enhanced appearance


The long-term performance, however, is affected by the requirements of the project, climate, the way the wood is installed, and the species of wood used.

Should Thermally Treated Wood be Invested?

Many property owners will feel that it's a good investment because thermally treated wood is more expensive than untreated wood, but it has a much longer lifespan. A lower maintenance cost, stability and durability may result in lower ownership costs over time.

It's also crucial to select a quality hardwood supplier when it comes to finding high-quality hardwoods.

Black Locust Lumber offers high quality hardwood products for severe outdoor conditions. From residential decks to rainscreen facades to custom architectural projects, choosing natural wood for durability ensures maximum performance and aesthetics over time.

The selection of the right material:

When choosing thermally treated wood, keep in mind:

  • Local climate
  • Desired appearance
  • Maintenance expectations
  • Budget
  • Installation requirements

Seek advice from the wood experts to make sure that the wood is suitable for the performance expectations.

Final Thoughts

The natural beauty and improved durability coupled with the environmental responsibility of thermally treated wood is ideal. It is also more stable and resistant to moisture and chemical-free, which makes it a favored choice for contemporary exterior applications.

From creating beautiful contemporary homes to updating outdoor living areas or specifying materials for a commercial project, selecting high quality hardwood products from Black Locust Lumber can help you deliver long-lasting results without sacrificing style.

Have you been inspired to build with Premium Hardwood?

Visit Black Locust Lumber and look for all the best hardwoods that will help you with your next outdoor project.

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