Reduced moisture uptake supports more predictable swelling and shrinkage than untreated wood.
THERMOStart your projectGet a quoteBUILDERS FIRSTSOURCE · ISSAQUAHGet a local Maximo consultation
Material process & project guidance · Maximo Thermo
Real wood.Permanently transformed.
Thermal modification uses controlled heat and steam to change how real wood responds to moisture. The result is lower moisture uptake, reduced dimensional movement and a deeper tone through the board—with no added synthetic wood preservatives in the Maximo process.
HEAT + STEAMReal wood · modified through its full section
215°CPeak steam temperature
Lower EMCReduced moisture response
Class 1 or 2Product-dependent durability
Heat + SteamNo added wood preservatives
The thermal process
How controlled heat & steam
change real wood.
Thermal modification is a controlled industrial process designed to improve wood stability and durability without adding synthetic wood preservatives.
1. Controlled drying
Heat and steam lower the wood’s moisture content in a managed cycle before the peak treatment stage.
2. High-temperature modification
Temperature rises under steam protection. Maximo documents treatment up to 413.6°F (212°C), changing moisture-attracting components of the wood and reducing volatile resins.
3. Cooling and conditioning
The material is cooled and conditioned so it can be machined into the final catalog profiles and prepared for distribution.
The high-temperature process reduces resin and the risk of pitch bleed on finished surfaces.
The process changes performance and color while preserving the material’s wood character.
Review the current Maximo terms, approved applications and exclusions for the selected product.
From the Maximo project library
Warmth you can see. Detail you can feel.
From the kitchen to the garden
An indoor-outdoor view shows the ceiling, trim and garden connection together.
Every corner matters
The meeting of two board directions creates a crisp focal detail.
Warmth across the whole room
A continuous wood surface follows the roofline above the living and dining areas.
Real projects, not exact-profile samples. Confirm the species, application and finish for your project.
Real wood. Real spaces.
The difference is
in the details.
See the grain, the light and the way wood meets the architecture. Explore real photographs from the Maximo project library, then choose the profile and finish for your own space.
Warmth across the covered terrace
A close view of the board layout, natural grain and framed roofline.
Carry the grain around
The junction keeps the exterior material palette connected.
Project inspiration, not a sample of a specific SKU. Natural color varies with the board, finish and lighting.
Request a physical sample →Project guidance
From material choice to
installation and care.
Project guidance · Installation & care
Installation & Maintenance Guide for Thermally Modified Wood
Practical guidance for installing and maintaining Maximo thermally modified siding, soffits, decking and trim, including storage, ventilation, fasteners and finish care.
Open guide →
Project guidance · Coating & color
Factory Prefinishing vs. Jobsite Finishing for Architectural Wood
Compare controlled factory prefinishing with jobsite finishing for thermally modified wood, including coverage, curing, touch-up and maintenance planning.
Open guide →
Material performance · Heat, steam & moisture
Durability & Decay Resistance in Thermally Modified Wood
Understand how heat and steam change wood moisture response, dimensional stability and decay resistance—and what proper installation still needs to provide.
Open guide →
Project guidance · Testing & approvals
Fire Performance & Project Code Review
Plan a responsible fire and WUI review for thermally modified wood using product-specific test reports, assembly details and local code approval.
Open guide →
Project guidance · Sourcing & reporting
Sustainability Documentation & Green Building Submittals
Plan environmental documentation for Maximo thermally modified wood, including sourcing, heat-and-steam processing, carbon reporting and LEED submittals.
Open guide →Explore Maximo Species
Four distinct species.
One coordinated collection.
FEATURED · THERMO AYOUS
Thermo Ayous
Review material character, documented properties and available catalog profiles.
Explore species →
SPECIES GUIDE
Thermo Ash
Review material character, documented properties and available catalog profiles.
Explore species →SPECIES GUIDE
Scandinavian Thermo
Review material character, documented properties and available catalog profiles.
Explore species →
SPECIES GUIDE
Thermo Clear Radiata
Review material character, documented properties and available catalog profiles.
Explore species →Where to buy in Issaquah
Builders FirstSource Issaquah
Catalog available by consultation. Contact the Issaquah team to confirm availability, sample kits, and lead time for your selected Maximo profile.
Issaquah, WA 98029
(425) 391-8000
Monday–Friday, 7:00 AM–4:00 PMDealer information verified August 31, 2026. No in-stock claim is made on this site.
Request a local quote
Put this profile
on your project.
Tell us what you are building. Our team will review your wood selection and contact you to coordinate a Maximo consultation with Builders FirstSource Issaquah.
Frequently Asked Questions
Material &
project questions
What is thermally modified wood?+
Thermally modified wood is real timber treated at high temperature under controlled steam. The process changes moisture-attracting components of the wood, reducing equilibrium moisture content and dimensional movement compared with the same material untreated.
Are chemicals added during thermal modification?+
The thermal modification process uses heat and steam without adding wood-preservative chemicals or plastic resins. Coatings, adhesives and application-specific requirements should still be reviewed as part of the complete assembly.
How long does thermally modified wood last outdoors?+
Service life depends on the exact product, exposure, assembly, finish and maintenance. Maximo’s catalog identifies products with Class 1 or Class 2 durability and includes a 20-year limited warranty; review the current terms for the selected profile.
Does thermally modified wood turn gray?+
Yes. Like other real wood, an uncoated surface changes color under sunlight and weather exposure and can move toward silver gray. A compatible pigmented exterior finish can help retain a brown tone, with maintenance scheduled according to the coating manufacturer and exposure.
Grain, finish & natural change
Choose how your
wood will live.
Start with a real project. Then decide how you want to care for the surface.
Modern · Ayous
Make color part of the plan.
If the original warm tone matters to your design, specify a compatible finish and a maintenance plan for the actual exposure. Request a coated sample before approving the color.
The photograph stays unaltered. It is not a weathering simulation or a guarantee of a particular coating, color or age.
Explore finish planning →Product and process references