You’ll Never Look at Wood the Same After Learning About Thermowood

If you’ve been in a conversation with an architect, contractor, or design-savvy homeowner lately, chances are the word Thermowood has come up.

But what exactly is Thermowood?

Let’s clear things up.

Thermowood is wood that’s been transformed through a specialised heat treatment process.

Also known as thermally modified wood, this material starts life as ordinary timber. But then it goes through a powerful transformation: it’s exposed to high heat (typically over 200°C) in a controlled, oxygen-free environment. This process changes the structure of the wood — improving durability, enhancing stability, and giving it a rich, vibrant colour that looks as good as it performs.

And the best part? It’s done without any chemicals. Just heat and steam. So, you’re left with a 100% natural product that lasts longer, looks better, and is far more resistant to the elements.

So, is Thermowood a species? A brand? A new type of composite?

You’ve probably seen terms like Thermowood, thermo-treated timber, Nordic Timber, and branded names like Thermory, and others. These are all essentially referring to thermally modified wood. Different names, same core concept: timber that’s been enhanced using heat.

Each brand might use a different wood species or fine-tune the process in unique ways, but they all fall under the same category. What matters is the quality of the raw timber, the precision of the thermal modification process, and how well the product is sourced and supported.

So, why are people going crazy for Thermowood?

Because it’s solving a lot of the problems we typically face with outdoor timber:

• Rot and insect resistance: The heat process removes sugars and resins — the stuff fungi and insects feed on.
• Dimensional stability: Thermowood doesn’t swell or shrink as much as regular timber, making it ideal for cladding, decking, and outdoor furniture.
• Low maintenance: there is almost no need for treatments or sealing.
• Sustainable: It’s the latest trend compared to tropical hardwoods — and it looks just as luxurious, if not more so.

At Somerset Timbers, we supply a globally recognised brand of thermally modified wood called Thermory.

Used in over 60 countries worldwide, Thermory is trusted by world-renowned architects, designers, and builders who demand the best. Thermory products are manufactured in Europe under some of the strictest thermal modification standards in the industry, ensuring exceptional stability, durability, and visual appeal.

Thermory’s commitment to quality and sustainability has earned them multiple awards in global design and architecture circles — and it shows. From luxury lodges in the Alps to contemporary coastal homes, Thermory is the brand of choice when performance matters as much as aesthetics.

Whether you’re specifying timber cladding, decking, or interior panelling, Somerset Timbers proudly offers a range of Thermory products, bringing this world-class product straight to your project. Beautiful, reliable, and built to last — this is Thermowood, perfected.

For more information, you’re welcome to browse our Thermory range online, or contact Ian Burger (ian@somtim.co.za), our dedicated Thermory specialist, to request samples, arrange a site visit, or schedule an in-office consultation.