THOR Torrefied Wood™ is a natural heat treated solid wood cladding product that has a 60 year warranty against decay. Torrefaction is a 100% natural process that involves prolonged, high temperature treatment of wood reaching 200° C making it amazingly durable and stable.
Using proven Scandanavian heat treatment technology, Thor™ cladding is manufactured in Canada by Maibec®, one of North America’s leading manufacturers of factory finished timber cladding products. Silva Timber is the exclusive distributor of Thor™ cladding in the UK.
THOR Torrefied Wood™ cladding is available in a rebated bevel profile with a 25mm thick butt end. This tried and tested cladding profile is installed horizontally and creates a bold shadow-line where the boards overlap. Rebated bevel is quick and easy to install; the boards overlap neatly for an impeccable finish with no visible fasteners. Matching trim boards are also available.
The Key Benefits of Thermally Modified Timber Cladding:
Increased resistance to decay
Intensive heat treatment changes the chemical and structural composition of the wood and removes the natural food sources which significantly improve its resistance to fungal decay. THOR Torrefied Wood™ cladding does not require any further chemical protection.
Increased dimensional stability
The torrefaction process lowers the equilibrium moisture content of the wood meaning that the chance of it warping, shrinking or expanding will be significantly reduced.
Excellent water-repellence and weather protection
The change in the molecular structure as a result of the heat treatment process reduces the permeability of the wood. Even without a finish torrefied wood has excellent weather resistance.
Environmentally friendly
The 100% natural torrefaction process modifies the molecular structure of the wood to increase its durability and therefore extend its service life. The process also improves the woods thermal insulating properties. Wood torrefaction uses no harmful chemicals and water-based stains have low harmful volatile organic compound (voc) emissions.
Aesthetically appealing
Intensive heat treatment gives the wood a rich natural amber colour.
The Benefits of Factory Finished Cladding:
A solid colour or semi-transparent stain is applied to THOR™ cladding under the most stringent, factory-controlled conditions.
- Finished cladding is protected from damage by weather
- Saves time and labour costs
- No costly delays due to weather
- No overspray, dripping, splattering or clean-up problems
- The site is neat and project looks finished immediately
- No colour variation, lap marks, shrink lines, streaking or dirt pick-up.
How to Order:
Silva Timber currently stocks Thor cladding and trim in one semi-transparent stain – Walnut, and one solid colour stain – Black.
Thor is available to order in two other semi-transparent stains – Mahogany and Cedar, and an almost unlimited number of solid colour stains using the TrueMatch® Factory Coated Colouring System.
Please contact us to discuss your requirements.
- Finished cladding is protected from damage by weather
- Saves time and labour costs
- No costly delays due to weather
- No overspray, dripping, splattering or clean-up problems
- The site is neat and project looks finished immediately
- No colour variation, lap marks, shrink lines, streaking or dirt pick-up.
How to Order:
Due to the nature of this product range it is not possible to order online. Please give a call to place your order and to discuss your requirements. We place orders with our Canadian supplier Maibec on the first of every month. Maibec have the fastest production times in the industry so even taking into account shipping from Canada, the lead time from this point is just 6 - 8 weeks.
Installing rebated bevel cladding is quick and easy; boards slot together and overlap neatly for an impeccable finish with no hidden fasteners. Matching trim boards and corners are also available.
The Process
The torrefaction heat treatment process has been developed and patented by VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland. Here’s how it works:
Phase 1 - Temperature increase and high-temperature drying
Using heat and steam, the kiln temperature is raised rapidly to a level of around 100 ºC. Thereafter, the temperature is increased steadily to 130 ºC, during which time the high-temperature drying takes place and the moisture content in the wood decreases to nearly zero.
Phase 2 - Heat treatment
Once high-temperature drying has taken place, the temperature inside the kiln is increased to between 185ºC and 215ºC. When the target level has been reached, the temperature remains constant for 2-3 hours depending on the end-use application.
Phase 3 - Cooling and moisture conditioning
The final stage is to lower the temperature by using water spray systems; when the temperature has reached 80-90ºC, re-moisturizing takes place to bring the wood moisture content to a useable level, 4-7%.
Looking for inspiration?
If you would like to see some examples of just how amazing a house can look with solid colour pre-finished cladding then take a look at the Provincia, Balsamia and Terra collections. You will see many inspiring combinations of cladding, shingles and colours that will enable you to create your dream home.
Create a unique look
You can mix and match THOR Torrefied Wood™ cladding with pre-finished white cedar shingles, or why not pair wood with another natural material such as stone?
When it comes to finishing, consider mouldings. They will enhance your home's details and make it truly unique. Depending on your taste, mouldings can be of the same or another colour as your cladding. If you opt for a different colour, favour those in the same family of colours but in a few shades lighter or darker. A paler shade will create an impression of grandeur while a darker shade will produce the opposite effect, which can be desirable with an oversized wall or to emphasise certain architectural details.
Choosing your colours
Choosing a colour always comes down to a question of taste and perception. So it will be your personality more than anything else that expresses itself through the shades and shapes you choose.
A few things to keep in mind when making your choice:
-
Walk around the local area and take a close look at your surroundings. Even if your home is unique, it should complement your near neighbours and the landscape.
-
The colours of your home's roof, stone or brickwork should complement those of your cladding.
-
If your home is in a wooded area, favour shades of brown or green. Dark colours that are not directly exposed to the sun will retain their lustre much longer.
-
If your home receives direct sunlight, yellow or white shades are ideal. The sun will enhance their inherent radiance, making your home resplendent. Keep in mind, though, that pale shades tend to dirty more quickly.
Click here to the the Cabot Factory Finish colour chart
Warranty
THOR Torrefied Wood™ cladding is warranted against wood decay for 60 years providing you with total peace of mind for years to come.
Click here to see 60 year warranty against decay.
In addition to the warranty on the wood there is a 15 year warranty on two coats of solid colour stain (extendable up to 30 years). This is one of the best warranties in the industry and your guarantee of maintenance free cladding for years to come.
Click here to see 15 year warranty on two coats of solid colour stain.
