For siding contractors and home designers, the search for high-performance wood siding can feel like a trade-off between natural beauty and high durability. Traditional wood siding often falls prey to environmental threats. If you are tired of the cycle of rot, splinters, and warping, you'll be excite to learn how modern technology has perfected nature.
Mataverde Arbor Wood thermally modified wood decking, siding, and soffits
In this article:
Pest Invasions in Siding
Moisture Infiltration in Siding
Siding Refinishing and Repainting
Siding Impact Damage and Storm Readiness
Faulty Installation of Siding and Callbacks
Hidden Siding Damage from Roof Issues
Severe Weather and the Freeze-Thaw Cycle
UV Fading and Discoloration
Structural Noise ("Loud Siding")
If you're ready to specify a premium siding that is versatile, easy to work with, and saves you time and please your customer, here is your opportunity. Utilize the advanced thermal modification technology in Mataverde ThermaWood siding and Arbor Wood thermally modified wood siding. Provide your customer a stunning aesthetic that inherently avoids the most common siding failures.
First, you should know why this is the better thermally modified option. Mataverde ThermaWood and Arbor Wood undergo the cutting-edge Thermex thermal modification process. Using only heat in a high pressure kiln, this process removes the sugars and moisture from the wood slowly. It leaves the natural wood a more robust, less brittle, more resilient, and longer lasting version of itself. That's why these wood siding options will give you the upper hand when it comes to siding issues.
Standard wood siding is often a target for pests, ranging from woodpeckers to ants, termites and carpenter bees. These pests can tunnel through wood to find refuge and food.
The Solution: Newer thermal modification methods such as Thermowood by Arbor Wood "cook" out the sugars and nutrients that pests are looking for.
The Result:
Arbor Wood thermally modified species are naturally resistant to infestation without the use of toxic chemicals, ensuring the structural integrity of the home remains intact.
Lowers homeowner maintenance by lowering the need for regular pest-proofing and repairing holes.
Mataverde Arbor Wood Ash thermally modified wood siding with a modern façade and design features
Siding is meant to keep moisture out, but when damaged—even invisibly—moisture causes warping and buckling.
The Solution: Thermally modified wood has a significantly lower moisture content and increased density, making it hydrophobic (water-resistant).
Pro Tip: Installing these woods in a Climate-Shield® Rainscreen Siding profile creates a 3/4" air cavity that allows the wall to "breathe" and drain, further preventing the moisture traps that lead to rot.
Mataverde ThermaWood was chosen for the interior ceiling and wall accents. ThermaWood SaferWood FR fire-retardant treated wood siding was used on the exterior.
Many siding products are marketed as low maintenance, but neglecting the maintenance needs can lead to "emergency" repair situations. Regular cleaning, refinishing, and repainting should be done on a regular schedule for the best results with ANY siding material, but maintenance needs vary widely.
The Solution: Mataverde thermally modified siding can be painted, stained, given a clear UV protectant coating to keep the original color. But, unlike fiber cement and composites, it is not a structural requirement.
Arbor Wood thermally modified pine burnt, brushed and black oil finished
For a modern, weathered look, many designers specify leaving the thermally modified wood unfinished after installation to develop a graceful silvery patina while the modified fibers remain strong rot resistant. Mataverde siding’s strength and durability make this an excellent option. Natural weathering will not increase maintenance, unlike unmodified woods, and is an attractive aesthetic.
Intrigued? Is thermally modified wood siding the answer for your next project? Request a sample here:
Periodically, and especially after severe weather events like hail or hurricanes, a thorough inspection of your siding material for cracked, chipped, or missing siding planks is an absolute necessity for any siding material. However, not all types of siding materials are created equal when it comes to damage resistance.
The Problem: High-velocity debris from wind and storms (like hailstones, flying tree limbs or patio chairs) can ruin the appearance and integrity of your siding. It can leave the siding with cracks, dents, chipping, or bent planks, which warrant immediate repair or replacement.
The Mataverde Solution: Unlike brittle synthetics or standard softwoods, thermally modified wood undergoes a process that increases its density and dimensional stability. It is extremely resilient against cracking, bending, or breakage.
The Climate-Shield Advantage: For contractors, the Climate-Shield Rainscreen Siding system is a crucial edge for installers in storm-prone areas. The system uses marine-grade aluminum clips rather than simple face-nailing, providing great looks and incredible resistance to high-wind pressures that can strip traditional siding right off the exterior.
The Result: Using Mataverde high-performance wood siding, homeowners are left with a durable, beautiful exterior that is far less likely to require a total replacement after a severe storm. This reliability reduces the number of post-storm "emergency" callbacks for installers.
Not all contractors have the experience to install siding correctly, which can drastically reduce its lifespan. Always check a contractor's experience before selecting them.
The Solution: The Climate-Shield system uses patented clips that automatically level and space the boards.
The Result: This "one-and-done" system eliminates labor-intensive furring and avoids callbacks related to improper fastening or board movement.
| Common Siding Problem | Standard Wood / Composite / Fiber Cement | ThermaWood & Arbor Wood Benefit |
| Pest Invasions | Targets for termites, carpenter bees, and woodpeckers seeking food. | Naturally Resistant: Hemicellulose and nutrients are "cooked" out; no food for insects. |
| Moisture & Rot | Absorbs water; prone to warping, buckling, and fungal decay. | Hydrophobic: Modified at the cellular level for low moisture content and high rot resistance. |
| High Maintenance | Requires frequent painting/staining to prevent structural failure. | Low Maintenance: Can be left unfinished to age into a silver patina without losing integrity. |
| Impact Damage | Synthetic materials can become brittle; standard wood can crack or dent. | Enhanced Durability: Increased density and dimensional stability; stands up to extreme weather. |
| Installation Errors | Manual spacing and face-nailing lead to callbacks and buckling. | Precision Fit: Rainscreen profile used with Climate-Shield® Rainscreen Siding System for automatic leveling and hidden fastening. |
| Hidden Roof Leaks | Trapped moisture behind siding causes structural rot in the sheathing. | Active Drying: Combined with rainscreen systems to create a "breathing" wall that allows water to drain and evaporates from multiples areas. |
| Freeze-Thaw Cycle | Trapped water expands in winter, fracturing vinyl and fiber cement. | Zero Movement: Near-zero moisture content means no expansion or contraction in freezing temps. |
| UV Fading | Splotchy, inconsistent discoloration and surface degradation. | Uniform Color: Darkened throughout the board; handles UV exposure consistently over time. |
| Structural Noise | "Popping" or rattling noises caused by thermal expansion/contraction. | Silent Performance: Negligible movement keeps the siding quiet and flat against the wall. |
If thermally modified wood is right for your next project, request a quote now:
Arbor Wood thermally modified pine siding and decking with dark stain
When a roof begins to fail, moisture can work its way under the siding, damaging the understructures even if the exterior looks fine.
The Solution:
The newer thermal modification process used with Mataverde creates hydrophobic (water-resistant) wood siding material. This method creates a denser, lower porosity wood plank that will not absorb and trap water from roof leaks.
The back-ventilation of a Climate-Shield rainscreen system ensures that if water does get behind the siding, it has a clear drainage path, protecting the sheathing further.
Arbor Wood thermally modified Ash vertical siding
Winter weather is particularly harsh as ice gets into small cracks, freezes, and expands.
Mataverde ThermaWood thermally modified wood siding and rooftop deck on a ski lodge home
Ultraviolet light eventually causes discoloration, leading to an inconsistent and sometimes off-putting appearance.
Check out the Thermally Modified Wood Siding Project Photo Gallery for more inspiration now
Thermally modified wood leaving the Thermex process kiln has a heat-darkened color
"Loud" siding is often caused by boards installed too tightly, which generate noise as the temperature fluctuates and the material expands.
The Solution: Since thermally modified boards experience negligible movement compared to non-modified woods, they remain silent. Your clients won't deal with the "popping" or "rattling" often associated with plastic based composites or poorly installed wood.
Thermally Modified Arbor Wood Southern yellow pine cladding with a deck and outdoor shower on the shore
For the eco-conscious designer or installer, the sustainability factors are just as impressive as the performance.
100% Natural: No toxic resins or chemicals—just heat and pressure.
Domestic Sourcing: Our Mataverde species are sourced from North American forests. Arbor Wood is sourced and produced strictly in the U.S. Both reduce the carbon footprint compared to exotic imported material.
Longevity: Choosing a better-performing wood today saves the cost and environmental impact of frequent repairs and early replacement tomorrow.
Safely Recycle: Whether waste at install, or disposing after a long useful life, Mataverde thermally modified woods are not headed for the landfill.
Whether you are looking for fresh siding ideas or a high-performance solution for a challenging climate, thermally modified wood is the answer. By specifying Mataverde products, home designers and siding contractors can create beautiful and beautifully performing projects with confidence, knowing the homeowner will be thrilled with both the look and the long-term performance.
Is better thermally modified wood siding options from Mataverde right for your next project? Contact us now for a quote, to request samples, or ask us questions about how it can improve your project.