• Increased dimensional stability- Cambia is less susceptible to cupping and warping with changes in relative humidity

• Decay resistant- transformed wood no longer contains sufficient water or nutrients to support microbial growth

• Uniform coloration throughout

• The difference in early wood and late wood density is minimized

• Paints and stains last longer

• No chemicals are used to preserve the wood

• The Cambia thermal modification can be applied to virtually any wood species.

• The Cambia process does not substantially alter the mechanical specifications of the species being thermally modified

Wood, by nature is hygroscopic. Free hydroxyl groups absorb and release water with changes in the climatic conditions. Water molecules diffuse into the cell wall and bond to the OH groups, taking up space in the cell wall and causing the cell walls to expand.  Wood movement (expansion, contraction, cupping, twisting, warping) is due to the unequal absorption and exorption of moisture. Heating wood at high temperatures in an oxygen free environment causes lignin to flow and hemicellulose to decompose, producing water-insoluble polymers thereby increasing dimensional  stability.


As an organic compound, wood biodegrades. Biodegradation requires the presence of oxygen and water in the cell wall. In turn, enzymes metabolize available oxygen and water, causing the cell walls to decompose.

• At high heat, free and bound water is eliminated, reducing the point at which the wood is no longer losing or gaining moisture. Wood exhibiting low Equilibrium Moisture Content (EMC) expands and contracts less with changes in relative humidity. Water absorbing hydroxyl groups in the hemicellulose break down.. Water molecules have nothing to bond to.


• The energy to thermally modify the wood comes from the wood. Organic compounds are drawn off and reused as a fuel source. Upwards of 80% of the energy required to thermally transform the wood is derived from the wood itself. The heavier tar-like constituents form an amorphous crystalline matrix around the wood fibers, reducing EMC by upwards of 75%. The stabilized wood is less prone to movement (cupping, warping, twisting) contributing to a significantly longer service life.

• At high heat, carbohydrates and water are reduced to the point where they are no longer a food source for wood destroying microbes.