PROJECTS
Forrest, ACT – #1 Decks & GH Constructions
Thermo ash decking, fencing, screening, garage door, internal and external cladding
Silver Sands, WA – Makin Homes
Thermo ash flooring, decking, cladding, garage door, internal wall lining
Balgowlah, NSW - Cornerhouse Constructions
Thermo ayous cladding
Longueville, NSW – Mike Cass Creative & Designit Landscapes
Thermo ash decking
WOOD THAT EXCEEDS
EXPECTATIONS
Thermory ash cladding
Ood House, Estonia
Themory pine battens
Powerhouse Telemark, Norway
designed by Snøhetta
WHAT OUR CLIENTS ARE SAYING
It has been a pleasure meeting you both. The deck looks wonderful and we are very happy with it – particularly the screens. They make a wonderful feature to block the expanse of the colourbond. We will be happy to recommend both you and your product to everyone.
Sandra and Peter Horrocks
Thank you so much for following up on our order; we received the boxes Friday afternoon. Given the delay, I was anticipating the worst, but it all arrived safely. We were able to fulfill our pending orders and now have enough stock to get through the holiday break.
Thank you so much for all your help and support throughout the year.
Jay, Decking Perth
Fantastically helpful and full of good advice. Patient and happy to provide as much time as required.
Feedback on Square
Thermory ash cladding
Dune Treehouse, Lake Michigan
Semple +Rappe Architects
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
It sure is. 100% real, beautiful, sustainable timber. This is the most common question we're asked at shows, because the wood is so straight and looks so consistently good, people think it must be a composite.
Thermal modification is a controlled process which uses heat and steam to significantly increase the durability and stability of timber. European companies have been thermally modifying timber for decades, enabling sustainably harvested timbers to be used for a broad range of purposes, particularly premium exterior architectural use.
Thermally modified timber becomes more dimensionally stable and durable, with a longer lifespan, especially in outdoor or humid environments.
The process makes the wood darker in colour and somewhat more brittle.
Thermal modification increases the durability and stability of plentiful, sustainable timbers and enables a much wider range of uses than they are suited for without thermal modification. Dense timbers such as European White Ash or North American Red Oak, and lighter weight timbers such as Spruce and Scotts Pine and the beautiful African Ayous can be used externally or in high humidity areas such as saunas and bathrooms when thermally modified. The process also means the timbers are so stable that they require less hold down, so hidden fastening systems can be used which looks much better and means much faster installation in many situations.
No, the thermal modification process only uses heat and steam. If using an oil to further prolong the life of the timber, or maintain colour, then this does mean chemicals are used. Equisol is based on refined linseed oil, so is a more sustainable option than oils with high fossil fuel content.
When installed correctly, thermally modified timber will silver fairly quickly, but will remain stable and durable for many years without oiling. For greater longevity and to minimise end checking and surface cracks, we recommend pre-oiling on all sides prior to installation. If you want to maintain the colour of the timber, it is necessary to use an oil containing a pigment and to maintain the coating annually to bi-annually, depending on the amount of exposure to sun and weather. See the installation and maintenance guides for more information.
No. The warm or even chocolate colour of thermally modified wood is consistent throughout each piece, but it is natural timber and the surface weathers to a silver grey when exposed to sun and weather, as all timber does. The colour can be maintained with the use of pigmented oil. We recommend and sell the Equisol range. See the product information about Equisol, and the installation and maintenance guides for further information.
Thermal modification increases the durability and stability of plentiful, sustainable timbers and enables a much wider range of uses than they are suited for without thermal modification. This means that a very plentiful timber like American Red Oak or African Ayous/Obeche can be used for decking or cladding rather than use threatened rainforest timbers such as Merbau^ or other unsustainably harvested wood. While the abundance of the wood species we supply is assured*, the chain of custody is less certain. Some products have clear chain of custody and come with PEFC certification (Smartdeck does not have PEFC certification, so we don't promote that any products are PEFC certified for the purpose of specific accreditations).
^The World Conservation Union’s (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species has categorised Merbau hardwood as “facing a high risk of extinction in the wild.” People purchasing Merbau products should be aware that they are buying a product under severe threat.
*Until recently, we were selling European White Ash for decking and cladding as it has been a plentiful and well managed resource, but Emerald Borer in the US and a fungal disease called ash dieback in Europe are threatening to wipe out 80-90% of the species within the next decade. Due to looming unavailability rather than unsustainability, we have decided to bring in Thermory red oak as it is almost indistinguishable in appearance and performance from Thermory ash.
Most products are available in bundles of 4 - 6 boards of one length per bundle. Thermo red oak is generally available in lengths from 1800 to 3000, though the stock on hand varies. Thermo ayous and thermo pine are generally available in longer lengths, 2400 to 4200 or sometimes 4800. Available stock varies. We endeavour to supply lengths that minimise wastage, and can supply set lengths within reason but there may be an additional fee if a significant number of set lengths are required.
We currently hold stock at our facility just north of Canberra, and ship Australia-wide. There is no showroom at present, all enquiries and orders are placed by phone, text or email and free samples of all products can be requested. We are moving to a reseller model for some product lines (the Perdura brush range is already sold in a number of stores Australia-wide), and 3PL for some of the most popular timber lines.
Pricewise, thermally modified ash and oak are generally comparable to or cheaper than composites, and have the huge advantage of not containing any plastic. Australian hardwoods are generally cheaper for the timber product, but installation time is significantly more due to bent and twisted boards, so thermo-ash and thermo-oak generally end up cheaper after installation is considered. Wastage is also minimised with thermally modified timber, as the stability of the boards means they can be end-matched. This means rapid installation as boards can join between joists, minimising cutting time and waste.
Thermo-ayous is a soft, light-weight hardwood for cladding and lining which is comparable to western red cedar in appearance and performance, but at around half the cost.
In terms of colour durability, thermo-timbers are real wood so will silver like other timbers, and in the case of thermo ash and oak the silvering process is quite fast in full exposure.
In terms of longevity, thermo ash and thermo oak are Class 1 durability under European standards. Thermo Ayous D is Class 2. Thermo Ayous S is very stable but doesn't have the durability of timbers that have undergone the higher temperature treatment process so is not suitable for exterior use except as eave or soffit linings.
Thermally modified timbers are much more stable than kiln dried hardwoods, so don't warp and twist and splinter in the way that Australian hardwoods do.
Decades of experience with timber coatings has confirmed our opinion that penetrating oils provide the best timber protection, and maximise the longevity of timber in exterior situations. Equisol Pro 365 is a penetrating oil with many similarities to Cutek Extreme, which we sold and recommended for many years.
In addition to its similar capacity to reduce moisture penetration and surface mould, Equisol has some benefits over Cutek. Equisol Pro 365 can be applied at lower temperatures, and penetrates and dries faster. Colour maintenance with either product is simple, and sanding or stripping shouldn't be required if maintenance protocols are followed.
Grimes & Sons Rich Wood Oil is also a quality penetrating oil which we have no hesitation recommending. We don't recommend any film forming coatings, whether oil or water based, for exterior timber. These will always eventually peel and flake and require expensive remediation. They also enable mould and fungi to develop under the surface which is both unsightly and contributes to early failure of timber.
Grad-System is a French system for installation of timber battens (or cladding or decking) without visible fastenings. It comprises aluminium rails and a variety of plastic clips for different purposes. We stock only a small part of the range, but can custom order anything - with lead times and MOQs. One of the possible features of custom orders is that the clips can be factory pre-set on rails to save time on site.
The only thermally modified timber we supply that can be used as cladding or decking in bushfire prone areas is Thermory red oak. Red oak is listed in Appendix E of AS 3959 Construction of buildings in bushfire-prone areas, and can be used in BAL 12.5 and BAL 19. We can also supply a range of Australian hardwood cladding and decking options from Hurford Hardwoods that can be used in BAL 12.5, BAL 19 and BAL 29.
Thermory ash decking
Public park, Puebla, Mexico
ABOUT US
We're a family business with a commitment to providing sustainable alternatives in the architectural timber field. Decades spent working and advising globally in timber protection means we understand what it takes to give timber the longest possible service life.
SMARTDECK has been importing decking, cladding, lining, sauna and batten profiles from world-leading thermal modification companies since 2015. We also supply installation systems from France and the US, and use, recommend and sell Australian-made Equisol Pro365 as a proven and easy-to-use timber protection system.
Novawood ayous battens
Bago Architects
Izmir-Türkiye
Contact Us
We're always happy to talk if we're available, so call Peter on 0412 068 464 or Jules on 0423 568 806 with any questions. If you can't reach us, fill in the form below and we'll get back to you as soon as we can.
Have more questions or
need a quote?
Have more questions, need samples or a quote?
GET IN TOUCH
P: 0412 068 464
E: info@smartdeck.com.au
Hadlow Drive, Lake George NSW
(We don't have a showroom -
please call, text or email)
OPENING HOURS
Monday - Friday: 8am - 4pm
Closed weekends and public holidays
ABN 86 606 221 961
FOLLOW US
MENU
Home
Services
Resources (coming)
Warranty
P: 0412 068 464
E: info@smartdeck.com.au
Hadlow Drive, Lake George NSW
(We don't have a showroom -
please call, text or email)
GET IN TOUCH
Monday - Friday: 8am - 4pm
Closed weekends and public holidays
OPENING HOURS
on Instagram
CONNECT WITH US
ABN 86 606 221 961
Home
Services
Resources (coming)
Warranty
MENU