OSLO-America is now introducing a GREEN option for all of our custom windows and doors using a new Roasted Wood technology, a superior alternative to diminishing Tropical Hardwoods yet having comparable physical characteristics.

 

        OSLO’s experience over several years with  “Roasted Wood” has proven it to be an ecological, cost effective, decay resistant wood resource now available for most of OSLO-America’s custom high performance fenestration products.

 

        Laboratory research in wood technology shows that strategically controlled high heat wood “roasting” achieves decay resistance and moisture protection levels equal or better than many tropical hard woods. When wood is exposed to high temperatures (over 400°F), its properties change significantly. Sugars inside the wood break up into a form which rot fungi cannot use. What is more, natural protective compounds in the wood are effectively distributed to protect the wood. The lumber “roasting” treatment is accomplished in a vacuum regulated kiln, and at these temperatures usually takes no more than 24 hours, where as, typical wood kilning commonly lasts a week, two, or more consuming far more energy with less positive effect.                                                                                                                                                                                              

 

        Any type of wood can be roasted but today the most common species are pine, spruce, birch and aspen /poplar. Roasted wood ‘lives’ less, than typically kilned lumber, meaning, that shrinkage and swelling are considerably lower. This improves its usability for many more wood products, such as doors and windows.  Micro-milling tolerances in all OSLO’s doors and windows work best with the most stable woods which always equals better long term performance. Gaps never appear, for example, in corner joinery or even wooden floors in places where conditions change with the seasons.

 

 

        1.  (FSC) certified timber – Harvested from sustainably managed forests within North America.

 

 

        3.  Biological characteristics - Lignin is a complex chemical compound most commonly derived from wood, and an integral part of the secondary cell walls of plants and some algae. Lignin eating microorganisms need a certain humidity level to develop. Since Roasted wood has poor water retention, it is no longer a preferred medium for microbial action. Tests carried out at Forintek Research institute on wood products in Canada, demonstrated the durability of roasted wood by its resistance to cubical and fibrous rot attack. While mushrooms, for example, degrade untreated wood by 30% to 70% on average, they cannot degrade roasted wood significantly. This wood may then be considered for exterior, non-sheltered and above ground grade. Plus, the static bending strength of roasted wood was also measured which revealed that it was not significantly lowered.                                                                                          

 

 

            Thanks to its’ decay resistance, increased stability, and hardness, plus fine exotic appearance, many abundant local species of roasted wood add to it’s LEED classification, therefore, can and should be used in place of wood obtained from off shore rainforests...some half the globe away!

 

        4.  Ecologically viable solution  -  Alongside technical and the obvious economic factors, environmental aspects have become more and more important when evaluating GREEN products. Already lab certified to Hurricane gale level performance, and now manufactured more ecologically, OSLO-America’s roasted wood products can meet or exceed the demands of both consumers and the highest LEED green categories for fenestration.   Furthermore, in temperatures in excess of 400 degrees F, wood dries more quickly and also tolerates the drying better so milled surfaces are excellent for paints, stains, pickling, or wood oils. The savings in time and energy are considerable because the drying time needed is easily cut down to one third, sometimes even to one fifth compared with traditional methods.  This all translates into board foot economy.                                                                                                                                                                                        

 

            Roasted wood even proves itself decay-resistant enough for many other outdoor uses, such as casings, railings, patio furniture, decking, saunas, even pool deck surrounds, and this has all been achieved without pressure-treating or using chemicals that harm the environment or people’s health.

 

    Research accumulated by-

 

    Steve Hassell

    OSLO-America

 

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