It’s quite likely you’ve never heard of thermally modified wood, but the process makes common wood species take on a whole new look and the color change goes all the way through. It’s available in 4/4 to 8/4 thickness. Thicker blanks for turners are also available. The heat-treating process warms the wood from 185°C to 212°C (depending on the species), which changes the color and improves its decay resistance.

After treatment, hickory and ash have color closer to exotics like ipé and wenge. Maple takes on a walnut hue. Oak takes on a fumed look, while birch, alder, and aspen take on a reddish color closer to cherry. Although heat-treating makes the wood decay-resistant (equal to red cedar), it does little to protect it from the sun, so you’ll want to treat outdoor projects with a UV-resistant finish or the material will gray.

Thermal modification adds about a dollar a board foot to the lumber’s normal cost, excluding shipping. Contact seasonwood.com for further details.

Fine Woodworking Recommended Products

AnchorSeal Log and Lumber End-Grain Sealer

Good for both sealing the end grain of freshly cut logs and boards, this wax prevents end-grain checking and saves material

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DeWalt 735X Planer

At high speed, the planer works fast and leaves a smooth surface. But the slower, finish speed produces an almost glass-smooth surface. Knife changes are easy.

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Ridgid R4331 Planer

Priced nearly $300 less than the DeWalt 735X, the Ridgid R4331 is an excellent value. Its three-knife cutterhead left wonderfully clean surfaces on plainsawn white oak and white pine. It did not perform nearly as well on curly maple as the 735X.

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