Sustainable Design with the New SaferWood™ Project Portfolio
Today’s most inspiring architecture does more than just look good—it performs at the highest level while creating a sense of warmth and sanctuary. As our communities grow and the need for fire-safe, sustainable spaces becomes a priority, navigating complex building codes can feel like a challenge. Now there's a way to make that process easier.
To provide you with fresh inspiration and technical confidence we’ve updated our Mataverde® SaferWood and Arbor Wood™ SaferWood featured project portfolio and it’s now twice as big as before!
Whether you’re envisioning a soaring commercial atrium, a sophisticated building façade, or a private residential retreat in a wildfire-prone area, this portfolio offers the ideas and the technical foundation you need to design with peace of mind using industry-leading fire-retardant treated wood.
Jump in! Download your copy here:
A New Standard for Safety: Better fire-retardant treated wood
Architecture projects are often a balancing act between aesthetic luxury and strict safety requirements when building where fire codes like Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) prevail. Our newly expanded portfolio showcases how you can keep the organic beauty of premium wood while meeting the most stringent fire safety standards through advanced, reliable treatment processes.
The Power Behind Thermex-FR® Technology:
Discover why SaferWood™ is a favorite for exterior cladding, soffits, and fencing. Our thermally modified and fire-retardant treated wood (FRTW) solutions are classified as ignition-resistant and are fully approved for both Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) and International Wildland-Urban Interface (IWUI) zones.
Why architects love specifying Mataverde SaferWood
The Thermex-FR fire-retardant treated wood (FRTW) process bonds at the cellular level, so you never have to worry about the protection leaching or washing away.
- Earth-Friendly Choices: We offer U.S.-sourced thermally modified woods like Arbor Wood Southern Yellow Pine and American White Ash, along with FSC® certified options.
- Design Your Way: Including thermally modified Ash, Pine or Hemlock, our woods can be painted, stained, or left to weather naturally into a beautiful, classic gray patina.
- Safe for Everyone: This fire-retardant treated wood is non-toxic and non-leaching, making it a responsible choice for family homes and sensitive environments alike.
Mataverde SaferWood thermally modified Hem-Fir was chosen to add a warm touch and outdoor spacafetly to this tiny house wood deck and skirting siding in Northern, CA.
From Concept to Façade: Real-World SaferWood Inspiration
Our latest project additions show how natural wood can transform a sterile structure into a welcoming, biophilic space. This portfolio highlights the heart and warmth that only real fire-retardant treated wood can bring to a project, even in the most demanding climates.
Explore Featured Projects:
- The Ridge House (Healdsburg, CA): A beautiful reincarnation of a home destroyed by wildfire, featuring elegant SaferWood Hem-Fir siding.
- The Ragon Institute (Cambridge, MA): Expansive commercial soffits that add organic texture to a cutting-edge research facility.
- WUI-Compliant Boundaries: Beautiful, ignition-resistant SaferWood Cedar fencing that provides privacy while acting as a vital buffer against fire spread.
- Modern Lodge Aesthetics: See how thermally modified, fire-retardant treated wood gave a pink 1980s exterior a stunning, contemporary "dream lodge" natural makeover.
Ready to explore the full collection? Download your copy here:
Engineering for Success: Precision, Speed, and Compliance
Building in fire-restricted areas or dense urban centers comes with unique hurdles. Our updated guide includes technical insights to help you build safer, sturdier spaces with fire-retardant treated wood without the extra stress.
- Streamlined Compliance: Unlike many alternative materials, our FRTW siding often doesn't require additional backing to meet fire codes, which saves you both material costs and labor time.
- Built to Last: Thermally modified options like Arbor Wood offer incredible resistance to moisture, decay, and insects, ensuring a lifecycle of 25+ years.
- The Full Package: We don’t just stop at the surface. We also offer SaferWood Dimensional Lumber—real Douglas Fir structural framing that works as high-performance fire-retardant treated wood.
Ready to see it for yourself? Order a Saferwood sample here:
Technical Mastery for Your Next Big Design Idea
The updated SaferWood Featured Project Portfolio is more than just a gallery of beautiful photos; it’s a technical resource designed to help you build a sustainable sanctuary that lasts. From high-rise accents to expansive exterior siding, Mataverde and Arbor Wood provide the structural solutions you need to bring your vision to life.
Don’t let code restrictions limit your creativity. Let us help you give your clients the warmth of real wood with the protection they deserve.
Contact us today for product questions or project pricing. We're here to help with projects, pricing, and more.
FAQ's
Q. “Is the fire-retardant treatment any good? Or is it just like surface treatments?”
A. Thermex-FR is not your average surface application for fire protection. It’s an infusion bonded at the cellular level of the wood, under pressure for full impregnation.
- It’s permanent.
- It’s non-toxic.
- It’s non-leaching.
Q. “Is it worth the value?”
A. Decide for yourself. SaferWood:
- is Ignition-Resistant.
- is WUI and IWUI zone rated.
- has passed the California 10-year Outdoor Weathering Test.
Q. “What’s the benefit in design and longevity?”
A. So many, but here’s the top 4. Saferwood:
- has versatile design applications.
- has finish options from natural to Shou Sugi Ban-style black.
- has an expected lifecycle of 25+ years - with minimal upkeep.
- treatment has a warranty that lasts the lifetime of the wood.
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