The Technology Behind Pickled Wood
Will Brennan Designs woodworkers are currently working on an outdoor project based in Balgowlah, Sydney. This outdoor project has the team working with an innovative material, Accoya®.
In this blog post, we explain the technology behind Accoya®.
What is Accoya®…
Unsoluted Radiata pine is a soft wood usually used for house framing, furniture, boxes and crates. When Radiata pine comes into contact - or is placed in - the chemical free acetic anhydride solution, it turns into a hardwood which is called acetylated wood.
Acetylated wood and the process behind the making of it is patented Accoya® wood.
Although the process of making acetyleted wood has been around for most of the 20th century, it’s only recently that brand, Accoya® has been able to acetylate large volumes of wood consistently.
Accoya® wood has been commercially viable and available since 2007.
The mysterious wood technology behind Accoya® explained…
When it comes to wood technology, acetylation in the simplest term is, subjecting a softwood into a hardwood by preventing the cells in the wood from being able to absorb water. In other words, you could look at acetylated wood as ‘pickled’ wood.
Accoya® wood starts out like any ordinary pine tree growing in managed forests. Once the trees reach maturity - around the 30 year old mark - they are harvested.
Once harvested, the raw pine is milled into planks or beams and introduced to the modification process - the so-called acetylation process using acetic anhydride. This is when the pine goes from being a soft wood to a hard wood.
Once the planks/beams have been ‘dunked’ in the acetic anhydride, the pine comes out a structurally-modified product - the pine has been acetylated in a unique process.
The result? A durable and dimensionally stable plank/beam.
Accoya® Inspiration…
On Sulphur mountain in Banff, Canada. The extreme climate is no problem for Accoya; an authentic wooden aesthetic, sustainable with impressive performance.
Accoya decking is ideal underfoot as it remains cool in hot weather, making it a great choice for your pool deck.
These residents chose Accoya to meet their sustainability requirements and because of the constant exposure to the sea air and sun.
Tell us more about Accoya®…
What the Will Brennan Designs team is saying about Accoya®…
When uncoated, it weathers naturally and changes to a silver-grey colour.
Due to the modification process, it contains a small amount of acid thus it’s recommended corrosion-resistant fixings like high-quality stainless steel are used.
It is made from a high-quality Radiata pine and contains little to no knots/markings.
It’s dimensionally stable. As it ages, it maintains its original shape and dimensions.
Its lightweight, easy-to-cut qualities makes it enjoyable to work with from a wood maker's perspective.
Others in the know are also saying Accoya®…
Is ideal for tough climates either indoors or outdoors
Is FSC certified and non-toxic
Is perfect for all sorts of projects but is especially well suited to windows, doors and decking where resistance to warping or shrinking is paramount
““Accoya is a unique product that can be used in so many areas, from major structural projects to domesticated projects.””
No water equals no movement. It’s a wonder material for woodmakers. It is reliable, eco-friendly and sustainable.
Head over to Accoya® website to find out more about this material. Will Brennan Designs source Accoya® from Britton Timbers.
The Will Brennan Designs team is here to help you create your custom-made design, so get in touch.