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Sustainable architecture is not just a trend; it has become a necessity, shaping the living spaces of the future. The invisible yet most critical aspect of this approach is choosing the right materials. Behind long-lasting and eco-friendly projects lie materials that support the entire lifecycle of the structure. In this context, thermally modified wood, which offers natural and environmentally compatible solutions, is becoming the rediscovered cornerstone of sustainable architecture. In this article, we explain this topic in detail.
The right material choice creates impacts across a broad spectrum from the building’s energy performance to maintenance costs, from carbon footprint to user satisfaction. Sustainable architecture generates real value only when it is built with materials that are durable, respectful to nature, and capable of delivering stable long-term performance.
Wood processed through the Thermowood method:
Is enhanced in durability using only heat and steam, without chemicals, making it environmentally safe.
Continues to retain the carbon it has stored from the atmosphere throughout the material.
Has significantly lower production energy compared to high-energy alternatives such as concrete, metal or PVC.
Provides long-term use, eliminating frequent maintenance, replacement, or energy consumption.
With these features, thermowood is an effective natural solution for reducing carbon footprint.
Natural materials:
Offer an aesthetic that gains character as they age.
Increase indoor comfort and provide healthy indoor air quality.
Are recyclable or can naturally decompose in harmony with nature.
Add longevity to structures due to their low performance loss over time.
For this reason, natural materials are among the most important complements of sustainable architecture.
Modern architecture highlights designs where naturalness and minimalistic aesthetics intersect. Although wood has been used for many years for its warm appearance, sustainable nature, and timeless effect, it has regained prominence thanks to thermowood technology, which makes it even more durable and reliable for today’s projects.
Minimizes issues such as cracking, warping and resin leakage.
Has high-dimensional stability.
Provides unique design possibilities for both interior and exterior spaces.
Offers controllable UV resistance and aging performance.
Contributes to eco-friendly building projects with its sustainability certifications.
Supports energy efficiency with natural thermal insulation.
Provides acoustic comfort.
Being a lightweight material, it does not add excessive structural load.
Creates an organic aesthetic that harmonizes with the environment.
Maintains its stable appearance for many years.
A long-lasting design is built on the principle of offering minimum energy use, minimum maintenance needs, and maximum service life. The foundation of this lies in materials with high durability and proven sustainability.
Whether a material is long-lasting is assessed through the following:
Physical resistance: Impact, abrasion, UV resistance
Dimensional stability: Warping/movement rate
Moisture resistance: Water repellency and rot resistance
Maintenance cycle: How often does it need renewal?
Aging performance: Color change, surface texture, aesthetic continuity
Thermowood is preferred especially in long-lasting facade systems as it performs strongly in all these criteria.
The material’s natural, renewable, and recyclable structure
Environmental impact of production processes
Length of service life
Low maintenance requirements
Sourcing from certified forests
Carbon storage capacity
The thermowood process is one of the most eco-friendly methods that strengthens wood while preserving its natural structure. Without any chemicals and solely through heat and steam, this process enhances the wood's durability and significantly extends its lifespan.
Stabilizes cell structure, balancing moisture absorption and release cycles.
Increases resistance to decay.
Reduces swelling and shrinkage ratios.
Allows the wood to maintain its form much longer.
Improves surface stability by reducing resins and organic compounds.
Causes no environmental harm since it requires no chemical preservatives.
Produced with low carbon emissions in energy-efficient facilities.
Eliminates frequent material replacement due to extended lifespan.
Ensures more efficient use of natural resources.
Facades are the most important exterior surfaces defining both the aesthetics and durability of a structure. Wood, especially when thermally modified, becomes an ideal facade material due to its long-term performance and natural appearance.
Reduced water absorption thanks to thermal treatment.
Offers high resistance to thermal cycles between hot and cold.
Increased dimensional stability reduces cracking and separation risks.
UV resistance can be enhanced with protective oils.
Regular application of surface protective oils
Monitoring UV-related color changes
Annual surface cleaning
Checking installation details, ventilation gaps, and sub-construction systems
Maintenance cycles vary depending on the type of wood and surface treatment.
Choosing the right wood species directly affects the longevity of the project. Therefore, climate conditions, intended use, aesthetic expectations, and technical requirements must be considered.
Species with higher natural durability are preferred in hot and humid climates.
In cold climates, stability and crack resistance become more critical.
Coastal areas require careful consideration of salt air and moisture resistance.
Surface protection is essential in regions with high UV exposure.
Iroko:Exterior cladding, decking systems, and applications exposed to harsh climate conditions due to its high durability and natural resistance.
Ayous (Thermo Ayous):Façade cladding, interior wall applications, and lightweight constructions where dimensional stability and low density are required.
Ash (Thermo Ash):Interior and exterior cladding, decking, and architectural applications demanding high strength, elastic structure, and refined aesthetics.
Radiata Pine (Thermo Radiata Pine):Façade cladding, decking, and lightweight load-bearing structures, offering a balanced solution in terms of performance, availability, and sustainability.
Tulipwood:Indoor flooring applications requiring high mechanical durability, smooth surface quality, and consistent structural performance.
Pine (Thermo Pine): Decking, façade cladding, load-bearing lightweight structures
Sustainability standards assess the ecological, production-related, and lifecycle impacts of materials holistically.
Guarantees the wood originates from legal and sustainable forests.
Ensures the tree harvesting–replanting cycle is monitored.
Validates environmental and social responsibility standards.
Is a globally recognized symbol of trust in international projects.
Reduce the carbon footprint of buildings.
Contribute to “green building” certifications (LEED, BREEAM, etc.).
Lower long-term operational costs.
Appeal to users with strong environmental awareness.
Novawood follows a production philosophy centered on quality, environmental awareness, and efficient use of natural resources in thermowood manufacturing. It offers long-lasting solutions by combining sustainability-oriented materials with high engineering standards.
Production in accordance with International Thermowood Association standards
Stability, durability, and moisture-resistance testing
Proper drying and controlled thermal modification processes
Techniques ensuring homogeneous color and texture
Recommendations for the correct species & grade based on project needs
Novawood:
Offers fully natural thermowood products free of chemicals.
Applies recyclable packaging and waste-management practices.
Uses energy-efficient production facilities.
Adopts a production culture respectful to nature and the future