Summary:
Lunawood fact sheet
TWO HEAT TREATMENT CLASSES
Lunawood produces two standard thermal modification classes, LunaThermo-S and LunaThermo-D.
The difference between the classes centres on differing heat treatment temperatures.
LunaThermo-S
LunaThermo-S, where S stands for stability, has an attractive shade of light brown and the stability is greatly improved. It is heat treated with milder temperatures (190ºC). LunaThermo-S products are suitable for indoor applications.
LunaThermo-D
LunaThermo-D, where D stands for durability, has a darker brown tone. Its durability and stability are improved significantly. LunaThermo-D is thermally modified at 212ºC and is suitable for external applications without the need for chemical preservative treatment.
LunaThermo-D on Left, and LunaThermo-S on right.
DIMENSIONS
Lunawood is available as standard in thicknesses 25, 32, 38, 50 mm
Standard widths 100, 125, 150, 175, 200 mm.
Wider boards available in Luna-Lam edge glued boards, available to special order.
Planed finished sizes are slightly smaller than with un-modified wood.
Recommended planed dimensions are 19, 26, 32, & 42 mm thick and 92, 117, 140, 165, & 185 mm wide.
USE CLASS
LunaThermo-D is suitable for Use class 3 (BS EN 335) applications, “situations in which the wood is above ground and exposed to the weather (particularly rain)”
It is suitable for use as cladding facades, rainscreen, decking and many other external applications. Lunawood is not recommended for use in direct contact with the ground.
DURABILITY
LunaThermo-D is classified as durability class 2 (BS EN 350) “durable” and carries a British Research Establishment (BRE) endorsement stating an expected service life of 30 years when used as cladding and decking. Durability and colour is consistent throughout the piece.
TERMITE RESISTANCY
Lunawood is not termite resistant. Lunawood can be treated with specialist termite chemical treatments.
LEACHING
LunaThermo-D will not leach colour. Minor release of the color pigment is possible during the first rains.
FIRE RATING
Lunawood has D4 rating which means it same as any natural timber. Lunawood will accept standard fire retardant treatments in the same way as un-modified timer.
MACHINEABILITY
Processing does not affect the unique performance properties of Lunawood, as it is modified throughout.
Planing Lunawood gives its surface a superior quality. The planing machine should be adjusted as if machining a hardwood and the planing speed is less than with un-modified softwoods. Care should be taken with the feed roller set up and pressures to avoid cracking the boards.
The heart side of the board should be selected as the weather-exposed face. Sanding may not be needed with Lunawood as quality of the planed surface is so good. Sawing Lunawood is just as easy as sawing ordinary wood.
INSTALLATION
Always use stainless steel fastenings when installing Lunawood. In the installation the heart side of the board should always be the weather-exposed face. Always leave enough space around Lunawood to secure sufficient air ventilation. For detailed information on fixings please refer to the Lunawood installation guide: https://lunawood.com/downloads/
The joist spacings for 26 mm decking should be a maximum of 450 mm centres, and 600 mm centres for 40mm thick decking. For facade application the batten spacings should be 600 mm centres.
Tongue and grooved boards should be fastened using pre-drilled holes from over the top of the tongue so that the screw or thin nail is driven in at an angle of less than 40 degrees.
GLUING
Gluing of Lunawood Thermowood is possible. However, the gluing and compression time may be 4–6 times longer compared to un-modified wood. Good results can be achieved with most common adhesives, but PUR glue gives the best performance according to test results.
WEARING OVER TIME
Like all timber products LunaThermo-D will go grey upon exposure to UV, and in time may show some fine cracks or splits on the surface. The silvering effect will be visible in a relatively short period of time, 3 to 6 months after installation.
It is recommended to apply an oil or approved wood coating to help preserve and maintain the original appearance.
SURFACE COATINGS
Lunawood will accept most good quality proprietary surface coatings that are suitable for un-modified wood. Lunawood can be treated with tinted or pigmented wood oil, wax, wood-protecting stain, varnish or paint – which contains a UV-filter – which helps retain the surface color. The surface treatment can be applied either before or immediately after installation using only a thin coat.
MAINTENANCE
Lunawood is durable and does not require maintenance to withstand time. However, regular maintenance is recommended to keep the original appearance and avoid small cracks and splits over time. The surface treatment should be renewed as necessary. The need for re-treating varies depending on the climate, amount of usage and the degree of exposure to UV-light.
To refresh the surface completely it is possible to wash the surface of discolored timber, allow to dry thoroughly and re-coat. Care should be taken to apply only sufficient water pressure to remove the discoloured surface and not to raise the grain of the timber.
ENVIRONMENTAL
Lunawood is PEFC certified and uses only trees from well managed and re-planted Forest areas of Northern Finland.
Further information can be found at LUNAWOOD.COM