During the thermal modification process the timber is super-heated to temperatures between 160° and 210°. The combination of high heat and steam reconfigures the wood to deliver a material of exceptional stability, durability and aesthetic uniformity that is highly resistant to mould and fungus. The dark brown colouring of Brimstone products and their performance in exterior applications make them ideal replacements for tropical timber products.

Speaking about the launch, Tom Barnes, Managing Director of Vastern Timber said “Imported thermally modified products are already available and growing in popularity as the benefits become more widely recognised. However, what sets Brimstone apart is that it is produced exclusively from trees grown in English and Welsh woodlands, and from species that are currently underused. The development of the range has been born out of a desire to offer a truly sustainable thermally modified product that supports our local domestic woodlands.

“The process involves no chemicals and does not rely on impregnating the timber. The most impressive outcome of the thermal modification process is that products are significantly more stable than non-modified timbers resulting in significantly less expansion and contraction when faced with changes in ambient temperature and humidity, making them a superior solution for a range of exterior uses. Additionally, the process reconfigures wood that would normally rot when used outside, into products that will last 30 years and more without treatment.

“Creating value for our native woodlands and the principal of local sourcing has been a central driver for development of the Brimstone range. Thermal modification is a truly exciting development that could potentially change the fortunes of British mixed woodlands. It represents a real opportunity to improve the management of our mixed woodlands by creating a demand for lesser used white hardwoods.”