Thermally Modified Wood Decking

What is Thermally Modified Wood Decking?

Thermally modified woods start out as a standard wood species, and through precise scientific heating and steaming processes, are transformed into thermally modified wood. In general, thermally modified wood becomes a more stable, durable, and better-performing version of the original wood species.

The process also removes the sugars from the wood. This makes thermally modified wood decking less attractive to insects and much more resistant to rot. The thermally modified wood process creates a high-quality product for long-lasting performance.

A modern rooftop deck made from thermally modified wood decking material from Mataverde decking.

Mataverde thermally modified wood decking

Why use Thermally Modified Wood Decking?

STABILITY - Thermally modified decking is exceptionally stable, exhibiting minimal wood movement, expansion, and contraction.
DURABILITY - The thermally modified wood process alters the wood at a cellular level, making thermally treated decking more resistant to rot and far less appealing to insects. This ensures it outlasts non-modified woods of the same species.
LOCAL - Thermal modification elevates the performance of local North American wood species, allowing them to rival the durability and strength of tropical hardwood species.
NATURAL - The best thermally modified wood processes rely solely on natural methods, such as heat, steam, or pressure, to create a high-performance decking product without introducing chemicals or toxins.

Thermal modification is a precise, scientific process utilizing natural means—heat and steam—to enhance wood's performance without adding any artificial substances. This ensures that both hardwoods and softwoods can achieve durability comparable to high-density hardwoods.

The Best Thermally Modified Wood Processes

Numerous thermal modification processes and wood species have been developed and tested over the past few decades. However, not all thermally modified wood processes deliver the same results.

After extensive research and testing, we’ve identified two processes that consistently produce the highest quality thermally modified wood decking: ThermoWood and ThermaWood. While these methods differ slightly, both effectively enhance the original wood’s properties, resulting in high-performance thermally modified wood decking.

Thermally Modified Wood Decking Appearance Options

What does thermally modified wood decking look like as it ages? ThermoWood is celebrated for its striking appearance, dimensional stability, and durability. However, as a natural wood product, thermally modified wood decking will weather over time when exposed to outdoor elements.

Typical Color and Graining of Thermally Modified Wood Decking


Mataverde Thermowood Thermally Modified Ash hardwood decking	Mataverde ThermaWood Thermally Modified Hemlock softwood decking

The thermal modification process enhances the wood’s natural beauty, imparting richer, darker brown tones. If maintaining a “new wood look” is your goal, Mataverde ThermoWood decking can be treated with sealers and maintained as needed. Oil-based sealers, such as Penofin, are particularly effective for protecting your investment.

Alternatively, if you prefer a natural “weathered wood” appearance, Mataverde thermally modified decking can be left untreated. Over time, it will develop a silvery-gray patina for a low-maintenance, natural wood aesthetic.

Thermally Modified Wood Decking Cost

The cost of thermally modified wood decking is influenced by several factors, including the wood species, the specific thermal modification process used, and the desired decking dimensions. While thermally modified wood decking price may be higher than untreated wood, its exceptional durability, rot resistance, and low maintenance requirements make it a cost-effective investment over time.

Thermally Modified Wood Decking Cost

Additionally, the thermally modified wood cost reflects the advanced processes and environmentally friendly methods used to create these premium products. Investing in thermally modified wood ensures long-term savings by reducing replacement and maintenance expenses.

Thermally Modified Wood Decking Cost

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ThermaWood Decking Process

The ThermaWood process builds on the successes of the Finnish (ThermoWood) method. This innovative process creates an excellent exterior wood decking product by thermally modifying softwoods through a unique approach.

Utilizing a Danish autoclave vacuum kiln, the ThermaWood process employs high temperatures and pressure only. The result is a stronger, higher-performing thermally modified wood deck board.

The primary advantages of this process include reduced energy consumption compared to other systems and minimized risks of cracking, splitting, or checking due to the controlled pressure and lower temperature. This translates to less waste on the job site. Like all Mataverde products, the ThermaWood process avoids the use of chemicals or toxins, ensuring environmentally friendly wood products with exceptional outdoor performance.

A breezeway deck made from Mataverde's ThermaWood Hemlock decking material shown to resist colder climates.

Mataverde ThermaWood Hemlock (Hem-Fir) Decking

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ThermoWood Process

The ThermoWood process, developed in Finland over 30 years ago, has undergone continuous refinement and improvement through scientific testing. This method of thermally modifying wood works exceptionally well with hardwoods, relying solely on heat and steam—without any chemicals or toxins.

The result is a dependable, thermally modified wood decking product that is entirely natural. ThermoWood is 100% real wood, with no artificial additives, offering enhanced performance and durability for outdoor use.

The thermally modified wood decking price reflects its premium quality and long-lasting performance, making it a valuable investment for any outdoor project.