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Best Modified Wood for Decking, Cladding, and Siding
In the quest for eco-friendly and long-lasting building materials, modified wood has changed the game. Three brands (all available in Ontario) have emerged as top contenders: Accoya, Kebony and Lunawood.
In this blog post, we’ll compare all 3 products in several key areas:
Each product is different in its own way, so its not about which one is the best, but which one works best for your project and tastes. At Composite Deck Shop, we are here to help you make an informed decision for your next project.
Alex Krupin,
Director of Composite Deck Shop
Best Modified Wood Brands
Before we get to the comparison of modified wood durability, visual appeal, cost per value and sustainability, let’s briefly explore each type of modified wood.
Accoya – Acetylated Wood
Since its launch in 2007, hundreds of manufacturers have made Accoya their material of choice in homes and buildings for applications such as windows, doors, decking, and siding. Accoya is made from responsibly harvested radiata pine trees.
Originating from the Netherlands, Accoya is a sustainable wood alternative created through a state-of-the-art process known as acetylation (submerging the wood in acetic anhydride). This process modifies the wood at a cellular level, enhancing its durability and resistance to rot, and makes the wood significantly more moisture resistant.
Kebony – Furfurylated Wood
Kebony was invented and developed in Canada by Dr. Marc Schneider at the University of New Brunswick, and then further refined and commercialized in Norway. Kebony is made from sustainably sourced pine and commonly used for decking, cladding, and siding (interior and exterior).
Kebony is a high-performance wood modified by furfurylation, a process that injects a bio-based liquid called furfuryl alcohol, a by-product of the sugar industry, into the wood. The wood is heated to the point that the alcohol polymerizes, increasing the wood’s density and making it incredibly durable. The result is a rich, dark brown coloured wood that performs and provides a comparable alternative to renowned hardwoods like IPE.
Lunawood Thermowood
Established in 2001, Lunawood is the global forerunner of thermally treated wood grown in the nordic forests of Finland. Durable and sustainable, Lunawood is thermally modified using only heat and steam from nordic spruce and pine. The finished result is a chemical-free, eco-friendly wood material that performs well in all kinds of weather, temperature, and humidity.
Lunawood is highly dimensionally stable, meaning it will keep its shape much better than regular untreated wood. Hundreds of architects all around the world have used Lunawood in their interior and exterior projects as siding, decking, and framing.
Modified Wood Comparison
Durability
| Brand | Hardness | Process & warranty |
|---|---|---|
| Accoya | 600 Janka | The acetylation process modifies the wood at a cellular level, enhancing its durability and resistance to rot. No maintenance warranty: 50 years |
| Kebony | 1700 Janka | Kebony uses a bio-based liquid in its modification process which results in a highly durable and dense product. Life cycle no-maintenance warranty: 30 years |
| Lunawood | 382 Janka | Thermally modified Lunawood is highly dimensionally stable, meaning it will keep its shape much better than regular untreated wood. Life cycle no-maintenance warranty: 30 years |
All three materials have long-lasting non-maintenance warranties, but Accoya came out on top with the highest warranty of 50 years. Kebony has the highest Janka Hardness rating of 1700 reflecting its impressive density.
Visual Appeal & Maintenance
Accoya
- Uncoated Accoya colour: Blonde
- Will naturally silver over time
- Will need to be oiled in order to maintain the original colour. It is recommended to use a product called Cutek.
- Can be stained
- Accoya wood can absorb a high amount of water through the end grain (it is highly recommended to seal the ends).
Kebony
- Uncoated Kebony colour: Rich Dark Brown
- Will naturally silver over time
- Will need to be oiled in order to maintain the original colour. We recommend a product called Cutek.
- Can be stained, although since this is a darker wood, lighter stains will not be as visible.
- Manufacturers highly recommend to seal exposed ends with a wood preservative to ensure proper protection.
Lunawood
- Colour: Golden Brown
- Will naturally silver over time
- Will need to be oiled and stained in order to maintain colour. We recommend an oil called Cutek.
- It is highly recommended to treat exposed ends with a wood preservative to ensure proper protection.
While visually the three modified woods are quite different, the process of maintaining them is pretty similar. Each of the woods will naturally silver over time (some faster than others). Some people actually prefer the weathered look, and let the wood go silver without oiling it. If that’s not you, you’ll need to oil the wood every year or so to maintain its original colour. It is strongly recommended to treat exposed ends with a wood preservative to keep moisture from getting in.
Cost
Accoya
$3.50 – $4.80
Kebony
$5.70
Lunawood
$2.69 – $4.49
In terms of cost, Lunawood is priced the lowest and has a great cost per value. Accoya, is priced only a little higher but boasts a higher life cycle. Kebony is priced the highest but is also the most dense and durable wood.
Sustainability
Accoya
Accoya is sourced from fast-growing, sustainably managed forests, solidifying its position as a leader in sustainable construction.
Accoya proudly holds the Cradle to Cradle Certified™ (Gold) certification, which recognizes products designed for a circular economy. Accoya is *FSC and *PEFC (Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification) certified, ensuring the wood comes from responsibly managed forests.
Kebony
Kebony is made from sustainably sourced softwoods, working towards reducing and eventually eliminating the demand for tropical hardwoods.
Kebony is *FSC-certified (forest management certification), and *PEFC certified, ensuring that the wood comes from responsibly managed forests.
Lunawood
Lunawood is very proud of its commitment to sustainability and transparency in every area, beginning from its forests, to transportation of material, to production.
For each tree that is felled, 4 more seedlings are planted!
Lunawood is *PEFC certified as well as The Nordic Swan Label certified, meaning that wood originates from certified and monitored sustainably managed forests where tree regeneration is ensured.
*FSC vs PEFC: what’s the difference? The primary difference between the certifications is their origins. Initially, the FSC certification was developed for tropical environments and not suited for forests in Europe and North America. This led to the introduction of PEFC in the late 1990s, to facilitate certification in Europe.
Modified Wood Brands
Comparison
At the end of the day,
Is Accoya, Kebony, or Lunawood the best? You decide the winner.
While Kebony has the highest density compared to Accoya and Lunawood, all three are significantly more durable than regular untreated wood. Each modified wood has its own unique visual appeal, and each will need to be treated to maintain its natural colour.
Also, in terms of the modification, Lunawood is distinguished since it uses exclusively heat and steam (whereas Accoya and Kebony are treated with a chemical) and yet achieves the same high durability and resistance to the elements.
Price-wise, Lunawood Thermowood scored the highest, having a range of high quality, low-priced options available. Accoya, Kebony and Lunawood are all committed to sustainability and ethical harvesting and processing practices.
At Composite Deck Shop, we specialize in modified wood. In fact, we are the only Lunawood supplier in Ontario and eastern Canada. For more information on Lunawood and why we love it, see the Lunawood ThermoWood review.
Please email us at [email protected] to get your own Lunawood sample box shipped directly to you (within Ontario)!
Modified Wood FAQ
What is the difference between modified wood and real wood?
Modified wood is still wood, it has just been treated with a chemical (in the case of Accoya and Kebony) or treated with heat and steam (in the case of Lunawood). Both these methods enhance the wood’s performance, durability, resistance and longevity.
How long will modified wood last?
Modified wood has an impressive no-maintenance lifecycle, which only increases with maintenance. Accoya will last upwards of 50 years, Kebony and Lunawood upwards of 30 years!
What are the benefits of modified wood?
The benefit of modified wood is that it outperforms pressure treated wood in virtually every aspect.
It is highly durable due to it being either enhanced to be stronger, or moisture-free, making it resistant to all kinds of weather and temperature. Not only weather, but insects, mold and fire resistant as well! In addition to its outstanding durability, these modified woods are also made to be maintenance-free (with the exception of oiling the wood to maintain its natural colour).
If that wasn’t enough, modified woods have an excellent cost per value.
Is modified wood expensive?
While certain modified wood costs a little more than pressure treated wood, the investment is definitely worth it. Each modified wood is priced slightly differently, so you will definitely find something that fits your budget perfectly. Accoya is roughly $3.50-$4.80 per linear foot, Kebony is approximately $5.70 per linear foot, and Lunawood is $2.69-$4.49 per linear foot depending on the profile.
Can modified wood be stained?
Yes, all modified wood can be stained. Depending on the natural colour of the modified wood and how dark it is, however, some stains will show up better than others or may require a few coats. We have several tints available at Composite Deck Shop.
Which modified wood is the best?
This is a similar question to “which car is the best”, there is no right answer. There are however, certain unique qualities that will resonate with some people and not others. One of these qualities is the aesthetic appeal of each material. You may find that you simply prefer the look and feel of one material over the other, or want to go for the least expensive (but still high quality) option.
To quickly highlight some advantages of each wood, Accoya has the highest warranty (50 years), Kebony has the highest density (is the most durable), and Lunawood has the best cost per value.
Very helpful review . I renewed all timber framed windiws in my seaside house since it gets battered by storms.Did my research and found local joiners singing the praises of Accoya. I also like to invest ( small scale) in companies with an excellent product and look financially well run. This looks to be true for Accsys who manufacture Accoya. The shares looked to be very well priced so I bought some only for prices to go down. Had to wonder whether I had made a poor choice but your review means I will stick rather then twist.