UK Hardwoods has invested in thermal technology to offer weather-resistant timber

Tom and Polly Bedford with the new Thermo Vacuum System machine which has just arrived at UK Hardwood's South Molton sawmill

Tom and Polly Bedford with the Thermo Vacuum System machine at UK Hardwood’s South Molton sawmill

Devon-based timber company UK Hardwoods has acquired what the team is calling the UK’s largest Thermo Vacuum System (TVS) machine.

The machine subjects wood to high temperatures (170°C - 230°C) to change its chemical structure. This can alter colour, increase hardness and durability and protect the wood from attacks by mould and parasites, explained Tom Bedford, managing director at UK Hardwoods.

Thermal vacuum systems are not a new technology; they have been used in aerospace since the 1950s and 1960s. However, technological advancements persist, with modern systems said to provide greater precision, enhanced automation, and improved energy efficiency.

The chemical-free process aims to enhance the timbers’ durability and stability so that the material can last up to 60 years even when exposed to the elements. “The process is 100% eco-friendly,” added Bedford.

He continued: “We have the UK’s largest and most energy-efficient thermally modified Ash plant. Our hardwood timber is fully traceable, locally sourced, and carefully transformed from tree to board in our family-run yard in Devon”.

The company already offers its customers hardwood for cladding, decking, flooring, and furniture, so it is excited to diversify its product portfolio to include timber products for hardier environments.

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