Ayous Wood

What is Thermo-Ayous Wood and How is it made?

Thermo-Ayous wood is a modified form of Ayous wood, a tropical hardwood native to Central and West Africa, botanically known as “Triplochiton scleroxylon”. Also called African whitewood, Obeche, Samba, Abachi, and Wawa. These trees typically grow up to 50 meters in height.

The modification process for Ayous involves drying, heating, and cooling the timber in a controlled environment. This thermal treatment induces chemical changes in the cell structure of the wood, enhancing its durability and altering its appearance. The result is a product that performs similarly to cedar when used outdoors.

Thermo-Ayous Cladding

Thermal treatment enhances Ayous wood’s dimensional stability, minimizing shrinking and swelling due to moisture changes. This process also increases the wood’s resistance to microorganisms and insects, making it ideal for outdoor use. Thermowood Ayous achieves a 1–2 Class durability rating according to EU standards, with a potential service life of over 50 years.

Before treatment, Ayous wood has a creamy white to light yellow appearance. After thermal modification, the wood darkens to a luxurious medium brown, similar in tone to Western Red Cedar. The boards are clear grade, uniform, and virtually knot-free, making them an attractive alternative to cedar in terms of both appearance and texture. Thermowood Ayous is easy to maintain, takes finishes and stains exceptionally well, and is easy to machine.

Uses for Thermowood Ayous

Thermo-Ayous is highly resistant to moisture and decay, making it an excellent choice for external cladding applications. It can be used vertically or horizontally, and increasingly popular for slatted fencing projects. Its medium-brown tones also make it suitable for internal wall cladding. Adding warmth and character to interior spaces.

With a density of 330kg/m³ at 8% moisture content, Thermowood Ayous is relatively lightweight, which makes it more prone to abrasion, scratches, and dents than other hardwoods. However, this does not diminish its durability as an outdoor timber. It is important to note that Ayous can react with iron, so stainless steel fixings should be used to avoid any issues.

Is Thermo-Ayous Sustainable?

Ayous is considered a sustainable species when sourced from well-managed forests, as the trees grow relatively quickly and are currently listed as “Least Concern” on the IUCN Red List. The environmentally-friendly thermal treatment process significantly extends the service life of Thermowood Ayous, reducing the likelihood of needing replacement and further supporting sustainability. Additionally, Thermo-Ayous is a non-toxic product.

We’re delivering products to the following cities: Miami, Tampa, Florida; Houston, Dallas, Austin, Texas; Boston, Massachusetts; New York City, New York; The Bay Area, Los Angeles, California; Chicago, Illinois; Seattle, Washington; Washington, D.C.