The Domestic Decking Advantage: Why Builders are Turning to U.S. Made Arbor Wood Thermally Modified Wood

At Mataverde, we’ve seen and heard a significant shift in how professional builders and designers are approaching the outdoor living space. There is a growing demand for a material that offers the timeless look and feel of real Cedar or exotic hardwoods without the high carbon footprint or logistical expense. American made Arbor Wood™ Thermally Modified Wood Decking, is the natural solution.

As a professional, you need materials that back up your reputation

Mataverde+ Arbor Wood thermally modified wood decking is the partnership that will elevate your specification experience. It offers thermally modified wood decking with the rare combination of high-end beauty, incredible durability, and a sustainability story that hits home with clients. Plus, its supported by decades of technical expertise, CAD drawings, support, and customer service from Mataverde to help your project run smoothly.

Why Your Crew (and Your Clients) Will Love It

• The "Barefoot" Factor

In the high-end market, comfort is king. One of the biggest complaints with composite decking is how hot they get in the summer sun. Because Arbor Wood™ has a modified cellular structure filled with air rather than moisture-attracting sugars, it acts as a natural insulator. It stays significantly cooler underfoot, making it the perfect choice for pool surrounds and sunny backyards.

• Workability Without the "Ipe Tax"

We love Ipe, but we also know it’s tough on your tools. It requires pre-drilling, specialized blades, and a lot of patience. Arbor Wood Ash gives you that same Class 1 Durability rating as Ipe but handles like traditional timber (@International Thermowood Association). You can cut, sand, and route it with standard professional woodworking tools, which means faster installs and fewer headaches for your crew.

• Stability Meets Aesthetics

Because the boards are so stable, they are a dream for modern design. If you’re specifying a sleek, screw-free surface using the system like the Mataverde Eurotec Rooftop Decking System, you need a board that won’t pull or twist against the clips. Arbor Wood stays flat and true, ensuring those crisp lines look just as good in five years as they do on Day One.

Check out this video to learn more:

Arbor Wood also offers finish versatility that can’t be beat.

• Beautiful natural colors darkened to rich, warm tones by the modification process.
• Protect the original color with an oil based UV Protectant finish.
• Weathers to a silver-gray patina, if you choose.
• Can be painted and stained.

Want to see it for yourself? Request your samples here:

Mataverde+ Arbor Wood thermally modified Pine natural decking contrasted with Ash siding with a dark stain 

The Sustainability Story: Real Wood, Real Fast

Sustainability is no longer a "nice-to-have"; it’s a requirement for many modern homeowners and builders.

• Low Carbon Footprint

  By using domestic Ash and Pine, we drastically reduce the "timber miles" associated with shipping wood from South America and beyond. (@Journal of Cleaner Production).
  
  

• Plastic-Free

  While composites have come a long way, they are still a blend of plastic resins and fibers. Arbor Wood is 100% organic. It’s a carbon sink that stores CO2 for decades and is completely biodegradable and recyclable at the end of its long lifecycle. (@Journal of Cleaner Production).

View the Thermally Modified Decking Project Photo Gallery here for more inspiration

Mataverde+ Arbor Wood thermally modified Ash decking and Southern YeMataverde+ Arbor Wood thermally modified Ash decking and soffits

What Exactly is Thermal Modification?

If you haven’t worked with thermally modified wood (TMW) yet, think of it as wood that has been "supercharged" for the outdoors. It starts with high-quality, domestically sourced North American hardwoods like Ash and Southern Yellow Pine. The boards are placed in a specialized kiln where they are treated with high heat (up to 450°F) and steam in an oxygen-free environment.

This isn't just a surface treatment; it changes the wood at a cellular level.

• It’s Hydrophobic (Water Resistance) The process breaks down the wood’s ability to bond with water. This means expansion and contraction are reduced by up to 60%, drastically cutting down on cupping and warping (@International Thermowood Association).

• It’s Bio-Resistant (Bugs and Mold Hate It): The heat effectively "cooks out" the hemicellulose (natural wood sugars) that rot, fungi and insects feed on. This gives domestic species a durability that rivals exotic high-density hardwoods (@U.S. Forest Products Laboratory).

• Arbor Wood Co. is the first U.S. Based Member of International ThermoWood® Association 

Mataverde+ Arbor Wood thermally modified Ash decking creates a modern porch

Performance at a Glance: Compare Arbor Wood Thermally Modified Ash vs Cedar, Ipe, and Composite decking

Is Arbor Wood right for your next project? Request pricing now:

Mataverde+ Arbor Wood thermally modified Ash wood decking used for benches at the Brooklyn Bridge. Ready for heavy commercial traffic and weathers beautifully with low maintenance. 

Aging Gracefully

One of the most beautiful things about Arbor Wood is how it ages. On arrival, it has a stunning, deep chocolate-brown tone. You can maintain this with a simple UV-inhibiting oil or, as many of customers choose, you can let it weather naturally. Over time, it will develop a sophisticated, uniform platinum-silver patina without losing any of its structural integrity.

Have questions about a specific project? We’d love to help. Whether you need technical advice on joist spacing, want to request a high-resolution sample kit for a client meeting, or just need a quick quote for an upcoming bid, our team is standing by.

Contacts us today to get more information, ask a technical question, or request your Arbor Wood samples. Let’s elevate your next outdoor project.