Introduction
Wood has been admired as an essential building material because of its aesthetic qualities, warmth, and the organic qualities of the product. Unfortunately, traditional timber, even for its beauty and aesthetics, presents many challenges associated with its natural characteristics. Traditional timber is susceptible to decay (rot), warping due to moisture, and lack of long-term durability due to the frequent maintenance associated with timber. This is where products such as Accoya® wood come into play. Accoya® wood is the result of an innovative process known as acetylation. The acetylation process increases the durability and performance of natural timber. As such, Accoya® wood is one of the most environmentally friendly and durable forms of timber available today. Accoya® wood is therefore an excellent choice for window and door products and for the restoration of heritage properties.
What Is Accoya® Wood?
One of the main benefits of Accoya is that it is more than just another new engineered wood product; it is created by using a proprietary acetylation process that permanently alters the chemical and physical characteristics of the wood. Instead of simply being treated with chemicals, as is done with conventional wood, Accoya has undergone a process called “acetylation” which creates a highly stable and resistant product that does not bend, warp or rot. Because of the unique properties of Accoya, it has been shown to resist water absorption up to 80%, and therefore greatly reduces the risk of experiencing shrinkage and swelling due to changes in humidity, as well as allowing for improved resistance to the deterioration of wooden products in wet conditions. In addition to having exceptional dimensional stability and extraordinary rot resistance, Accoya has been found to be significantly longer-lived than traditional timber species and tropical hardwoods. Wikipedia+1
Sustainability
Builders and designers are most likely attracted to Accoya wood because of its environmental credentials. The wood is sourced from FSC®-certified sustainably managed forests to ensure that responsibly managed forests support minimal ecological impact.
Accoya wood does not contain any toxic chemicals in its production; it is instead modified with naturally occurring compounds from within the wood. Thus it is biodegradable and recyclable without any negative impact on the environment from “cradle to grave.”
Accoya is also certified Cradle to Cradle® Gold — by far one of the most respected certifications in sustainability. This demonstrates that they are dedicated to the principles of the circular economy and making furniture and building materials with low lifecycle carbon emissions.
The nature of Accoya wood also means that it will last much longer than other kinds of wood, which means it will continue to store CO2 for an extended period. Because of this, it will result in an overall reduction of the carbon footprint when building with this material.
Unmatched Durability and Performance
Resistance to Rot, Decay & Insects
The resistance of Accoya wood to rot and decay, as well as insect attack, is much higher than that of untreated timber. During the production of Accoya wood, changes to the wood’s chemistry occur, and therefore the wood is also resistant to insect and fungal attack, and they do not view Accoya as a food source. Accoya wood is suitable for exterior applications such as doors and window frames in humid or coastal situations.
Long Life Expectancy
Accoya wood is also backed up by industry-leading warranties — 50 years above ground and 25 years for in-ground or fresh water Contact confirms the expected long life of Accoya products, as well as their durability in extreme conditions.
Some lifetime evaluation studies have estimated that an Accoya product, when well designed and maintained, should outlast 60 years in exterior applications.
Thermal Efficiency and Energy Savings
In addition to being a more environmentally friendly alternative to conventional materials with their high thermal insulation properties, Accoya also provides the same benefits in terms of reducing energy consumption for buildings and helps create a more stable indoor temperature. The thermal conductivity of Accoya is greater than many of the other species of wood, which helps to maintain stable indoor temperatures, and it can also help reduce energy costs associated with heating or cooling buildings.
Low Maintenance
Accoya windows and door products require substantially less maintenance when compared to traditional timber products. When Accoya windows or doors have been coated and installed, they do not require repainting as frequently or repairing for the effects of typical weather conditions such as swelling and splitting.
Ideal for Windows, Doors & Heritage Restoration
Windows That Last a Lifetime
Accoya provides exceptional thermal insulation and dimensional stability which makes it a great candidate to be used as material for frames of window products. Because of Accoya’s dense and durable properties, Accoya is able to hold finishes and coatings extremely well which equates to much longer periods between repainting of windows and much better looking windows after having been painted several times.
Whether an architect specifies previously constructed traditional styles of sash windows or presents the modern/ contemporary styles of architectural glazing or presents custom constructed wood frames, Accoya is able to provide a large variety of both style and performance and can outlast many alternative framing products.
Doors Built for Performance
Doors constructed of Accoya will be less likely to swell, stick and warp than any other conventional timber constructed door type which allows the door to function properly for years on end.
Heritage Restoration Without Compromise
It is often difficult to preserve the original aesthetics of historic buildings and provide them with the performance levels of modern day windows and doors at the same time. Accoya allows for an architect (and other designers) to keep the original appearance while satisfying the requirements of modern day windows and doors by providing materials that look like wood but will be installed in a manner that makes the materials last for many years without having to replace anything due to either rot or warping.
The Value of Investing in Accoya
Although Accoya Wood costs more initially than untreated woods and cheap plastic options, its long life expectancy, low maintenance, and superior performance provide great total lifetime value. Accoya Wood provides beautiful wooden windows and doors, in addition to being a smart investment for a sustainable future, superior performance, and peace of mind.
Conclusion
Accoya® Wood isn’t just wood; it’s an eco-friendly, high-performance, and future-proof timber for demanding architectural uses. Accoya represents the pinnacle of modern wood technology by sourcing from sustainable forests and lasting for decades. For the homeowner, architect, builder, or any other individual who wants beautiful, durable, and environmentally-friendly windows, doors, and restoration products, Accoya wood provides unparalleled value.
0 Comments