February, 2008

New & Noteworthy February 2008

PureWood Real Wood Decking, Bay Tree Technologies USA, LLC: Memphis, Tenn.

By Rick Schumacher

Bay Tree Technologies USA, based in Memphis, Tenn., believes it has found a unique, natural solution to preserving wood decking without using chemicals to treat the wood.

Called PureWood, this real wood decking is treated with a mixture of heat and steam to actually change the wood structure so that it no longer can support rot and mold. The process uses no chemicals or metals, and unlike composite wood products, no plastics are used: The final PureWood decking remains 100% real wood, and the company also offers a 25-year warranty against rot and decay.

The technology behind this innovative process comes from a Finland-based company called Stellac Oy. Using technology developed and perfected by Stellac, a combination of temperature, time, and conditioning is used to thermally modify the wood and change the wood sugars normally present in it into a substance that insects and mold can’t digest. As part of the process, the wood develops a natural, rich color, reminiscent of teak. The wood can be then further stained, or simply treated with a oil-based UV inhibitor to slow fading. This thermally modified wood also has much less splitting or checking than regular wood, due to greatly reduced moisture absorption rates. The process also gives the wood exceptional durability and dimensional stability.

“It’s a brand new category,” says Bill Schwam, vice president of sales for Bay Tree Technologies. “The wood almost looks like a stained wood, a rich brown color, and people think it’s gorgeous. The color penetrates through the entire board.”

Ron Long, CEO of Bay Tree, agrees. “People like wood [for decking], but because of its performance issues, they’ve moved to composites. We have a product that people are hungry for.”

The company plans to ultimately use five special kilns developed by Stellac to produce PureWood, and will distribute it nationally. Production on inventory began in January, and the product will begin shipping at the end of the first quarter of 2008. The first three kilns, currently operational in Terra Haute, Ind., can each produce up to 7 million board feet a year.

PureWood will initially be available in two styles: Sahara and Linea. Sahara is a traditional-style deck board, suitable for above and in-ground contact use. Sahara offers eased edges, and is available in a 1.25 by 5-in. wide board.

Linea is a Euro-style decking with a different linear design on each side for reversibility and customization, and is also suitable for above and in-ground contact use. It is also available in a 1.25 by 5-in. wide board.

Cost for the product will fall “probably in the middle to the upper-end of composite pricing,” says Schwam.

Bay Tree Technologies USA, LLCwww.purewoodproducts.com • 888.575.4180