Planning a new project or renovation? If your project includes wood, you need to determine what type of wood is best to use. Should you opt for modified wood or treated wood? What type of modified or treated wood is ideal for your particular project? It helps to have an overview of the different wood types available today.

 Among other things, choosing the wrong wood can sabotage your project, detracting from its longevity and structural integrity. Use this guide to get an idea of treated and modified woods and their uses.

Understanding the Basics of Wood Types

While there seems to be an astounding variety of wood types and products on the market today, what you really need to know are these three categories:

1- Untreated Wood

2- Thermally  Modified Wood

3- Pressure Treated Wood

Untreated Wood

Untreated Wood means wood (including lighter pine, tree trunks, limbs and stumps, shrubs, and lumber) which is free of paint, glue, filler, pentachlorophenol, creosote, tar, asphalt, and more, and other wood preservatives or treatments.

Untreated wood is the raw material—plain old wood or lumber. Certain kinds of wood are endowed with natural properties that make them better for certain types of projects. Cedar and teak, for example, have properties that make them naturally better at standing up to moisture. That’s why people often choose them for outdoor projects like decks and railings.

Thermally Modified Wood

Modified wood typically refers to wood that’s been heated. You’ll often hear it referred to as thermally modified wood. This type of wood is increasing in popularity because it’s both functional and eco-friendly. Usually, no chemicals are used to treat the wood. Instead, it is heated in a 400-plus degree, oxygen-free environment. It’s literally cooked. The heat treatment permanently changes some of its characteristics, making it more durable and more ideal for various uses. 

Many people use modified wood for their decking, home siding, or even their flooring. Keep in mind that the term modified wood can occasionally refer to wood that has also been chemically treated. If you want thermally modified wood or modified wood with no chemical treatments, be sure you understand what you’re buying.

Pressure Treated Wood

Treated wood is when manufacturers apply a substance to the wood that alters its characteristics. For instance, the treatment (often a preservative) can help the wood stand up to moisture, rot, and pests. Pressure-treated wood falls into this category. During the treatment process, intensive pressure is applied to the wood to remove oxygen. Then, it’s infused with chemical preservatives to protect it from rot and pests.

Treated wood is used for projects that can include pier pilings, decks, interior framing, outdoor wooden walkways, porch railings, fencing, and more. Your contractor can help you choose the ideal treated wood for the project you have in mind.

Before you go

While modified and treated woods won’t last forever, they are popular options because they last longer and perform better under various conditions. That is, of course, for regular wood. Our specialty, ironwood, will last longer than most options because of its amazing inner strength (see data sheet) Use the following information to help you select a wood type for an upcoming project or home renovation. As usual, do not hesitate to contact us at info@katimber.com for any wood question, be it the one we sell or not. Always happy to help.