Radiata Pine Thermowood

Radiata pine ThermoWood from New Zealand is sustainably grown Radiata pine that has been heat-treated to enhance durability, stability, and resistance to decay. The thermal modification process reduces moisture content, improves dimensional stability, and gives the timber a richer, darker tone. Lightweight yet strong, it’s commonly used for timber cladding applications where improved performance and a natural aesthetic are desired.

Radiata Pine Thermowood

Radiata pine ThermoWood from New Zealand is produced from sustainably managed Radiata pine forests and enhanced through a high-temperature, chemical-free modification process. The wood is carefully heated to temperatures in excess of 200°C under controlled steam conditions. This alters the wood’s cell structure, reducing its equilibrium moisture content and increasing resistance to decay, swelling, and warping.

The treatment also transforms the timber’s appearance. Radiata pine ThermoWood develops a rich, warm brown tone that can range from honey to deep caramel, with a more uniform grain and is almost entirely defect free . Over time, it will naturally silver when exposed to sunlight unless protected with a suitable finish.

Sustainability is a core advantage,  Radiata pine grows rapidly in New Zealand’s certified plantation forests, ensuring a renewable and low-impact resource. The thermal modification process uses only heat and steam—with no chemical additives—resulting in an environmentally responsible product ideal for cladding, decking, and interior applications.

 
 

Origin

New Zealand 

Durability

Class 1 – Highly Durable 

Moisture Content

Approx. 5% 

Density

Approx. 420kg/m3 

Dimensions

Sizes available from 25 x 50mm to 50 x 150mm 

Lengths

3m – 4.8m 

Movement

Low Moisture Movement 

Sustainability

PEFC Certified from well managed and regulated forests. 

Treatment

Natural, Charred, Opaque, Translucent, Wood Stains, Burnblock and Teknoclad Silver

Surface Finishes

There are a range of different surface finishes that we can offer, each one varying in appearance.

Once a preferred surface finish has been identified, we can offer options based on the most suitable timber species and coating systems.

Find out more about the surface finishes that we offer.

Planed

Planed timber has been machined to leave an elegant, smooth finish all the way around the board. As a result, a planed surface finish is a common choice when specifying timber cladding. 

A planed finish is also referred too as a ‘dressed’ finish and is available in a wide range of timber species. 

 

Sawn

A sawn face is produced by passing the timber through a band saw in order to leave a rustic and more textured finish on the face of the timber. A sawn face is popular in rural locations or where projects require more character from the cladding. 

A sawn face can be applied to a range of timber species. 

Structured (Wire Brushed)

Structuring is an in-house process where we remove the softer part of the grain from the timber, leaving the harder grain tightened, adding further character to the timber. 

Structuring can also be referred to as wire brushing and can be carried out on a range of timber species. The depth of the structuring can vary from species to species depending on the timbers density. 

Radiata Pine Thermowood - RAL 7016

Radiata Pine Thermowood - Teknoclad Silver

Radiata Pine Thermowood - Natural

Coating and Treatments

If left uncoated, Radiata Pine Thermowood will naturally weather. We offer a range of coating systems for Radiata Pine Thermowood in order to meet a range of design requirements. Due to the stability of Radiata Pine Thermowood it is well suited to opaque and translucent coatings, wood stains and pre-weathered coating systems.

Opaque Coatings

Opaque coating systems are a solid colour which delivers a consistent finish. Due to the high amounts of pigment in the coating the colour from the grain of the timber is hidden, resulting in a uniform finish to each length of timber. 

Translucent coating systems for external applications. 

Translucent coating systems offer a natural and decorative appearance while providing optimal protection to a timber substrate. A careful balance of pigments and binders mean the coating accentuates the grain of the timber, delivering a natural appearance.

Depending on the coating manufacturer, translucent coatings can vary from either two or three coat systems. 

Wood Stain coating systems for external applications.

Wood Stain coating systems offer an extremely natural and rustic appearance. They are a matte finish with high penetration properties, which are low-film forming on the surface of the timber. Wood stain coating systems soak into the timber and offer excellent UV protection and high water vapour permeability.

Our Charred timber cladding range has been created in order to offer a similar charred timber aesthetic, while overcoming the issues often encountered with the traditional treatment method.

Teknoclad Silver provided timber with an even, natural grey tone which erodes overtime and encourages a harmonious transition to natural weathering. 

Our Projects

Looking for inspiration? Have a look at some of our completed projects.

Testing Facility

We test our products using both accelerated weather testing machines and real world testing in our bespoke external testing programme, the first of its kind in the UK. Our testing field was designed and built in collaboration with our coating partners as well as brands like Accoya and Abodo. We even have our products on exposure testing in Malaysia and the Netherlands. 

All of this information allows us to advise clients and architects on the most suitable specification for their project. It also allows us to demonstrate how different coatings perform on a range of timber species, as well as highlighting the issues that can be caused when a coating system is incorrectly specified.

Looking to start your project

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