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Abodo
With a project that still works beautifully in 5, 10, or 20+ years being the proof of good design and craftsmanship, choosing high performance feature timbers is essential. Abodo put their timbers and others through 7 years of independent durability testing, and the results are clear: Abodo New Growth feature timbers are a genuine alternative to old growth and chemically treated timbers.
How did the trial work?
The long-term durability trial placed samples of Abodo’s rapidly renewable Vulcan heat tempered (thermally modified) Radiata pine cladding and decking, alongside several other timber samples, on above-ground angled racks and horizontal decks.
The timbers tested included:
- Untreated Radiata pine
- Treated Radiata pine
- Abodo thermally modified 230°C Radiata pine
- Western red cedar
- Eucalyptus grandis
Samples were placed in contact with untreated wood and left in place through all weathers for 91+ months, creating a real-world simulation of accelerated decay conditions.
During and after the trial, assessments were carried out by independent wood protection consultant Jeanette Drysdale. She analysed the performance of the timbers using a decay rating scale of 0-10, where 0 signalled complete degradation and 10 showed complete decay resistance.
Key findings from the angled rack
From all the samples, Abodo Vulcan timber showed the most consistent results across the seven-year period, with an average rating of 9.5 reported at the end of the trial. By comparison, Western red cedar showed a significant drop after 4.5 years with a final decay rating of just 4.2.
In a nutshell, this shows Abodo Vulcan performs twice as well as Western red cedar. See the graph in the image carousel for angled rack trial results.
Abodo Vulcan also stayed in a better physical condition than the other samples, including the treated Radiata pine, remaining both straight and consistent in appearance. This was a particular contrast to the Western red cedar, which showed ridging, cupping, and fungal degradation. While the Eucalyptus did not decay significantly, white streaks were observed on the surface — a potential sign of white rot — and there was also decay where it had been in contact with the support frame.
The results are clear: Abodo New Growth timbers are a genuine alternative
The data proves that Abodo thermal modification enhances and stabilises timber without the need for chemical treatments, aligning with Abodo’s vision for creating sustainable, renewable and non-toxic alternatives to old growth and chemically treated timbers.
Trusted timber results over time
An architect’s work speaks volumes long after the build is finished. With a well chosen cladding that stays consistent to the original vision, designers can be sure that the right words are being spoken for decades to come.
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