Hardwood vs. Softwood

We explore the difference between hardwood and softwood, to help you choose the right timber.

15.04.2025

What is the difference between hardwood and softwood?

What is the difference between hardwood and softwood?

Before we look into the difference between hardwood and softwood, let’s take stock of timber today as a whole.

The term ‘timber’ covers material from a wide spectrum of different species, each with very different performance characteristics.

Performance’ is the key word which helps differentiate hardwoods from softwoods.

However, there is third category of wood we also need to consider… high performance wood.

Created using modern advanced treatment techniques, this different bread of wood outperforms both the properties of hardwood and the properties of softwood. We’ll come back to high performance treated wood later.

What is hardwood?

What is hardwood?

Before we explore the properties of hardwood, we need to know where hardwoods come from.

Hardwoods are sourced from trees with broad leaves which grow comparatively slowly compared to softwood trees. This is why hardwoods are denser than softwoods.

More condensed, hardwoods have a complex structure which makes them stronger and more durable than softwoods.

Because hardwoods are so strong and resilient, they are usually used for construction that needs to be durable and last.

Hardwoods are seen as an investment due to their strength, lower maintenance and ability to resist weather.

What is softwood?

What is softwood?

The properties of softwood are quite different to hardwood.

Softwoods, which derive from conifers, are much more prolific and conifers grow at a much faster rate than hardwood trees.

One of the key properties of softwood is its flexibility, ease of cutting and lighter weight. This makes them ideally suited for interior mouldings, window frames, construction framing and creating sheet woods such as plywood and chipboard.

When used outside, exterior softwoods are impregnated with biocides to improve their durability.

Compared to hardwoods, softwoods have a shorter lifespan when used outdoors as even with treatment, they aren’t as durable and need more regular maintenance.

 

Examples of softwoods and hardwoods

Hardwoods

Common types of hardwoods include:

  • oak
  • teak
  • sapele
  • iroko
  • meranti

Beech, maple and walnut are also hardwoods that are used for more bespoke joinery projects; crafting furniture, wooden flooring and fine veneers.

Softwoods

Softwoods are the source of 80% of the world’s timber and come from conifers which are cone-bearing trees.

These include:

  • pine
  • spruce
  • cedar
  • fir
  • larch
  • redwood
  • hemlock
  • cypress

Why are softwoods cheaper than hardwoods?

There are five reasons why softwoods are cheaper than hardwoods:

Growth rate – softwood trees grow far faster than hardwood trees. This means there is a much greater supply of softwoods and therefore it costs less.

Processing – because softwoods aren’t as dense as hardwoods, they are much easier to cut and finish. With lower energy and labour costs, processing softwood is much cheaper than hardwood.

Availability – softwoods are usually found growing in much larger forests than softwoods. More trees creates greater availability, resulting in lower prices.

Harvesting – hardwood trees can take decades to mature, whereas faster growing and maturing softwood trees result in more regular harvesting and replanting. This shorter cycle generates a more consistent and cost-effective supply.

Demand – as softwood is more commonly suited to and used for construction, paper manufacture and less durable products. Softwood is therefore in greater demand than hardwood which is usually preferred for quality furniture and flooring due to its strength and durability.

How to identify hardwood from softwood

How to identify hardwood from softwood

Apart from the price, how exactly can you tell the difference between hardwood and softwood by simply looking at it?

Well, unless you know whether the tree it came from had needles and cones or not, you need to take a closer look at the wood itself.

  • Firstly, look at the color. Hardwoods tend to be darker than softwoods and have a more prominent grain.
  • Next, pick up similar pieces of hardwood and softwood. Hardwood is denser, therefore it should weigh more than the softwood.
  • When you look at the cell structure, hardwood has pores which are tubes that transport water and nutrients around the tree – softwoods’ cell structure is much simpler.
  • As the name implies, hardwoods are also harder, which means softwoods are much easier to scratch.
  • Finally, softwoods are much more flexible than hardwoods, so try bending each to see how they compare.

Treated woods – softwood and hardwood alternatives:

As we touched on earlier in this guide, there is also a third category of wood used in construction called treaded woods. We’ve established that hardwoods in general are much harder and more durable than softwoods. There is, however, an exception to this rule.

Treated woods are softwoods that have had their chemical make-up altered to improve their performance. The world-leading example of treated woods is Accoya®. Manufactured using a cutting-edge patented acetylation process, the durability, stability and hardness of the wood is increased to actually exceed the qualities of tropical hardwoods. Other benefits include minimal maintenance, guarantees up to 50 years and also higher sustainability due to it being softwood and also lasting considerably longer than softwoods and some hardwoods.

Where to Buy

You can buy Accoya and Accoya products from our selection of distributors or manufacturers in your region. Use our map search tool to find your nearest Accoya supplier.

Where to Buy

Shou Sugi Ban – What it is and how it is made

Discover the remarkable history and beauty of the ancient art of Japanese burnt wood cladding.

15.04.2025

You may have seen the use of dark external Shou Sugi Ban cladding in Japanese architecture in modern and centuries old buildings. This effect is not simply done for aesthetic reasons, it is created by the charring of timbers to increase the stability and durability of the wood. Outstanding stability is something we at Accoya immediately identify with.

The history of Shou Sugi Ban

Shou Sugi Ban, which is also known as “Yakisugi”, is a traditional form of wood preservation which originated in Japan in the 18th Century. Its geographical origins are believed to be in the Sendai region where this unusual and highly attractive charring technique was created to strengthen and protect wood. For such a simple, old and traditional method, it performs incredibly well by today’s standards and used extensively worldwide.

The benefits of Shou Sugi Ban

Burnt wood cladding not only looks stylish and contemporary, blackened timber also provides many tangible and important benefits over untreated wood.

  • Stability – one of the key benefits of employing the Shou Sugi Ban technique to timber is the increased strength and stability it brings. Burnt wood cladding is resistant to twisting, distorting and warping. This makes it an excellent long-term exterior cladding material.
  • Protection – Japanese burnt wood cladding is highly resistant to temperature and moisture. The process of Shou Sugi Ban creates a naturally waterproof surface that is almost impossible to reignite. This dramatically extends the lifespan of the burnt wood cladding.
  • Preservation – during the charring process, the pores in the timber shrink which reduces their ability to retain water and decay. Pests such as insects and termites feed on mold, but being waterproof, charred wood takes away the food they thrive on.
  • Sustainability – Shou Sugi Ban cladding is environmentally friendly as it doesn’t contain any chemicals or treatments that are hazardous to the environment.
  • Low-maintenance – Shou Sugi Ban burnt wood cladding has a prolonged life and needs very little maintenance, especially if the timbers that receive the treatment are Accoya wood which already carry a 50-year guarantee.
  • Aesthetics – blackened timber is a highly contemporary look that is proving increasingly popular particularly for exterior timber cladding . Its charcoal black tones or contrasts perfectly with almost any colour palette whilst it also emphasizes the natural textural pattern and grain of the wood, Accoya wood in particular.

Woods suitable for Shou Sugi Ban cladding

Not all woods are ideal for Shou Sugi Ban treatment. Those that will make good burnt wood cladding include Accoya, cedar, pine, spruce and larch timbers. One of the advantages of using charred Accoya wood is that it creates a highly refined and defined pattern in comparison to other wood species.

The traditional Shou Sugi Ban firing process

There are several steps involved in the centuries-old process of creating Japanese burnt wood cladding.

First the wood is dried to reduce the moisture content of the wood. This ensures that the wood burns more evenly. Next the surface of the wood needs to be made flat by planing and sanding its surfaces.

To create a very high even temperature and consistent deep charring, one side of the wood is burnt by tying three planks together to effectively form a tall chimney and then lighting a fire below it. The type of wood dictates how long and how intensely the blackened timber is burnt for. The skill to Shou Sugi Ban is in achieving the correct balance of surface protection and retaining structural integrity.

Finally, the charred wood planks are separated and cooled quickly. To finish, the charring can be brushed away using a wire brush before an oil or water-based stain is applied. If used indoors, to an additional fix layer is applied.

Modern uses for Shou Sugi Ban cladding

Architects and interior designers worldwide use Japanese burnt wood cladding to great effect in various applications both inside and outside of the buildings and homes they create.

In Sweden, architect Abelardo Gonzalez created a new build family home with an entire façade of Shou Sugi Ban burnt wood cladding, including across the roof.

An award-winning symbolic memorial monument in Edmonton, Canada, designed by Shape Architecture Inc. and PECHET Studio, is protected from Alberta’s long severe winters by Shou Sugi Ban cladding.

Delta Millworks used charred wood to panel the interior walls in the living room of a contemporary residential home based in San Franscisco to dramatic effect.

In Park City, Utah, a modern three-story Passivhaus designed and built by Klima Architecture. Highly sustainable and energy efficient, the house’s exterior is wrapped in Shou Sugi Ban cladding to fit with the eco-conscious theme.

LaRue Architects revamped a 1880s townhouse in Austin, Texas into a modern hillside home. The stairwell features burnt wood cladding with a custom grey finish.

In the Netherlands, the owners of a beautiful private residence chose a striking facade of Shou Sugi Ban blackened timber for their garage and contrasted it with a natural wood garage door.

The last word on Shou Sugi Ban

If you are looking for an unusual, dramatic and contemporary cladding material that offers excellent protection, is sustainable and easy to maintain, you should consider Shou Sugi Ban Japanese burnt wood cladding. Accoya offers a range of highly durable, stable and beautiful charred timber cladding which you can explore at your leisure.

10 Pool Deck Ideas

Dive into our wood pool decking ideas and soak up inspiration for your next project.

15.04.2025

Owning an outdoor pool must be high up on everyone’s bucket list. You’re incredibly lucky if you have one already, but if you’re planning on either adding one to your backyard or overhauling your existing pool, here’s a pool of exciting wood pool deck ideas for you to dip in and out of at your leisure. From innovative above-ground pool decks to stunning inground designs, these ideas showcase a blend of beauty and inspiration, perfect for transforming your poolside into a personal oasis.

Advantages of wood pool decking

Before you jump in, imagine the benefits of owning a pool surrounded by the timeless beauty and warmth of a natural wood deck. Perfect for entertaining friends, relaxing with family or simply unwinding after a stressful day, a pool with authentic wood decking creates an attractive space that you really want to spend time in. Unlike bleak concrete patio and pool surrounds, wood decking looks elegant, copes well with weather extremes and has a wonderful natural look.

Accoya is the perfect choice of wood for a pool deck. It’s not only the high-performance, low-maintenance choice, it’s a sustainably sourced product and comes with a free 25 year guarantee. It gets less hot in the sun than other materials, is crack and splinter resistant, even over decades, and is barefoot-friendly.

1. Cool contrast

Accoya Color Grey Poolumrandung Deutschland

What we love about this impressive inground pool deck is the choice of gray colored wood decking which contrasts beautifully with the stone edging of the pool. By decking the whole terrace in sustainable Accoya Color Grey it creates an elegant connection to a dining and seating area at the rear of the property.

2. All the right curves

Naturpool mit Accoya gekrümmter Umrandung

Don’t just think in straight lines when designing a pool. Because wood is so easy to cut and shape, you can create a more natural look by using curves to frame your pool. In this particular example by M. Hechenblaickner, the edge of the pool is cut in a sweeping curve which contrasts the linear stone walls and, over time, the wood deck has developed a handsome silver-gray patina. The addition of large rounded stones along the edge in the pool also softens the look.

3. Oasis of calm

accoya braune poolumrandung

Why not transform your garden into a stunning and inviting oasis like this one? This is one of those clever pool decking ideas by Formare GmbH that creates a contrast between the pristine wooden decking and curvaceous feature fencing, the contemporary stainless-steel pool, cool blue water and verdant green lawn, trees and shrubs. Cool, calming and somewhere private to relax in style.

4. Fully immersive

Got a compact backyard? Good design like this can include a pool where you never thought possible. Here, Natura Piscines not only specified wood for the decking of the entertaining area, they actually extended it into the pool itself. Blending in seamlessly with the rest of the deck, this was only possible by using durable and rot-proof.

5. Natural balance

Why not enlist the help of Mother Nature to bring a natural balance to your pool project. Here, this environmentally conscious hybrid pool is half pool and half pond. This not only looks incredibly natural, it uses gravel and plants to filter and treat the water entirely without any chemical additives. The designers here strengthened the sustainability of the pool by using Accoya Color Grey wood decking for the surround which harmonizes perfectly with the peacefulness of this natural swimming area, supplied by Enno Roggemann.

6. Distressed to chill

Accoya decking, grey decking, decking Italy

If you are looking for a relaxed, elegant looking pool area, consider a wood deck with a distressed finish like this design supplied by Kobel. The planks of this wood deck were expertly wire brushed before they were installed. This not only gives it a wonderful texture with increased anti-slip properties, it also creates a more natural lived-in modern aesthetic. The perfect environment to chill and take a refreshing dip.

7. Water therapy

Poolumrandung aus Accoya-Holz mit einem schönen Wassereinlauf

Water has a therapeutic effect on people and this pool not only looks great, it’s good for your mind, too. Recreating the feel of an outdoor spa, the above ground wood deck surround uses highly water-resistant treated wood. One length of the pool side is raised to accommodate twin embedded contemporary waterfall features. These add an extra relaxing visual and acoustic dimension to the pool. The project was carried out by M. Hechenblaickner.

8. Nude and natural

Accoya Holz Terrasse - natürliches, dauerhafte Terrassenmaterial

The brief for this pool was keep it sleek and natural and the designers have certainly achieved this. This wide expanse of light-colored uncoated wood decking gives the illusion of space and the semi-circular pool entrance adds a classical touch to the pool design. In time, the wood will weather and mellow to a soft gray to tone with the outdoor furniture and tinted gray glazing. Installed by The Natural Pool Company.

9. Uber cool and comfortable

The terrace of this magnificent French villa has a highly attractive wood swimming pool deck and pool surround. Accoya wood was chosen by Woodstone Project because of its durability, stability and rot resistance. It’s what also keeps the surround’s cool and makes it naturally barefoot-friendly. Notice how the direction of the decking syncs with the length of the pool and also the cushion seams of the sun loungers.

10. Go Greek

The last of our pool deck ideas take inspiration from the idyllic Greek Islands which are bathed in glorious sunshine the majority of the year. Brilliant white buildings, turquoise seas and sun-bleached wood – this wood deck surround, pool, white paint and traditional Greek-style gazebo work to dazzling effect. With regular cooling dips and splashing, the qualities and sustainability credentials of Accoya high performance wood pool decking made it the obvious choice and were supplied by Atlas Wood.

Want more inspiration and information?

Visit our Pool Decking page for more ideas, options and in-depth information about how Accoya can enhance any pool project.

Where to Buy

You can buy Accoya and Accoya products from our selection of distributors or manufacturers in your region. Use our map search tool to find your nearest Accoya supplier.

Where to Buy
Gascoigne Park, London

20 Urban Landscape Design Ideas

Discover 20 inspiring examples worldwide of urban landscape design featuring Accoya. From sustainable outdoor seating to energy-efficient lighting, see how this innovative material is shaping greener, more resilient cities.

15.04.2025

Innovative urban landscape design using sustainable materials is key to creating greener, more livable cities. Urban spaces don’t only need to rely on vast green areas to make an impact.

Thoughtfully designed urban outdoor seating, strategically placed sustainable lighting, eco-friendly structures and sculptures can all enhance the physical and mental well-being while giving our towns and cities a more unique and inviting sense of identity.

Accoya’s role in sustainable urban landscape design

When designers, architects and specifiers consider materials for bringing their urban landscape design ideas to life, wood is the natural choice.

When sourced responsibly from sustainably managed forests, it becomes a highly renewable, carbon-negative building material – offering both aesthetic appeal and environmental benefits.

Accoya high-performance modified wood is a standout choice for sustainable urban landscaping. It is accredited by the FSC® and is Cradle to Cradle (C2C) overall Gold certified®. In fact, it is one of the very few building materials in the world to achieve C2C Platinum certification® for Material Health.

Non-toxic and with zero risk of leaching synthetic compounds or chemicals means it is safe for people and planet. Its unrivalled durability – with industry-leading warranties of up to 50 years – makes it ideal for long-lasting, low maintenance urban spaces. By choosing Accoya, designers can create sustainable, striking and resilient landscapes that stand the test of time.

Urban Outdoor Seating

Worth Square, New York

Worth Square, New York

Under the gaze of New York’s iconic Flatiron Building at Worth Square, sits a wonderful example of urban landscape design by APE Studio and MoveART. The square hosts an elegantly designed space for people to meet and rest and its apex is a flowing, undulating piece of sustainable outdoor seating made from Accoya. Its inviting form encourages people of all ages to engage, interact and take five from the hustle and bustle of the urban plaza near Madison Square Park Conservancy.

Green Mile, Austria

accoya slow street graz parklets zinsendorfgasse

Fotocredit: Stadt Graz/Foto Fischer

In the Austrian city of Graz, since 2013, Zinzendorfgasse, aka “Green Mile”, has been a vibrant experiment in urban change. It has been transformed into a slow street – a lively, greener meeting zone shared by both vehicles and pedestrians. Sustainable Accoya “parklets” by M. Hechenblaickner were created to provide robust and inviting urban outdoor seating where a wide diversity of people can pause, meet and enjoy. Built to last and leave a lasting impression.

The Strand, London

London is one of the busiest cities in the world and The Strand is one of the capital’s most congested and polluted streets. With the help of intelligent sustainable outdoor seating design and Accoya wood by LDA Design, it is now a more serene, greener destination. Three gently sweeping sculpted benches were installed on the newly pedestrianized section of The Strand for pedestrians to relax and enjoy in peace and tranquility of this new garden and lawn.

Urban Oasis, France

This development of a courtyard office building in Paris perfectly illustrates the transformative value of innovative urban outdoor seating. Harmoniously blending durable Accoya wood and steel together, the design completely changes the feel of the courtyard with an inspiring combination of sustainability, aesthetics and functionality. The result is an attractive space with sustainable outdoor seating that gives professionals working in the office a sense of mental well-being. The urban space was created through the collaboration of project architects BSTLL, project management by PILGRIM, and French artisan manufacturer Ateliers Georges Mahot.

Caernarfon Castle, Wales

Caernarfon Castle, Wales

At Wales’ first UNESCO World Heritage Site, Accoya wood decking and urban outdoor seating was installed as part of a £5m conservation and development project. Buttress Architects specified Accoya wood for the new rooftop viewing deck and seating areas which has similar tones to the castle’s original masonry and will weather in time to tie in with the overall look and feel of the castle. It adds a new contemporary layer to Caernarfon Castle’s rich history.

Award-winning Benches, Dubai

In the UAE emirate of Dubai, Accoya was selected by Szonyi for its impressive environmental credentials for this innovative sustainable outdoor seating design. The bench is constructed by Aubrilam using boomerang shaped Accoya sections, hinged at their apex along a linear steel axis, which enable the public to change the configuration of the seating. The advanced modified wood’s strength and durability mean it can withstand constant reconfiguration. This urban outdoor seating design won the top award at the Design Days Dubai Urban Commissions competition.

Thiepval Museum, France

President Macron unveiled this unique sustainable outdoor seating design in the “Peace Garden” at the Thiepval memorial near Amiens in Northern France. At 36 meters long, this bench was created to commemorate the WW1 Armistice and is the longest seat in the world made from sustainable Accoya modified wood. The bench that snakes through the wood, wrapping around and engaging with existing trees, is inspired by the ribbon of history that connects both the past and the future. Deliberately sanded and untreated to weather naturally, the Accoya wood was selected for its sustainability, minimal maintenance and 50-year above ground guarantee. A lasting tribute. Created in collaboration with Oxford Planters and Fisher Tomlin & Bowyer, the bench—crafted from 2.5 cubic metres of Accoya wood supplied by Arnold Laver—was built in six weeks and installed in two days as the centerpiece of the ‘peace garden.’

Floating Jetty, Amsterdam

On Oosterdokseiland island, just to the east of Amsterdam Centraal Station, a long floating jetty, featuring 5 sleek contemporary benches, were all created from Accoya wood distributed by Van Swaay and designed by IPV Delft. This sustainable outdoor seating and decking uses over 300 meters of Accoya deck planks which was selected not only for its eco credentials but also for to its unrivalled dimensional stability, long service life and low maintenance. After researching Oak and other wood species for the Jetty, De Boer and De Groot civil works chose Accoya due to its dimensional stability, long service life and sustainability credentials.

Urban Lighting Design

The Pike, CA USA

accoya light

In downtown Long Beach, California, a newly reinvented and vibrant shopping, leisure and entertainment district called The Pike is a popular waterfront destination. Architects responsible for the urban lighting design specified lighting poles with double aluminum extrusion uprights and Accoya high-performance wood wood center accents and fixture arms. Accoya was selected as the project demanded sustainable lighting with strong, highly durable materials and finishes that provide a long-lasting solution. The Accoya light poles were created and designed by Structura, as part of their Duo Horizontal Arm range. With the help of P+R Architects who are now known as Retail Design Collaborative, The Pike has now been repositioned into a popular waterfront destination – a newly reinvented, vibrant shopping, dining and entertainment district, lining the Downtown Long Beach to Shoreline Village.

Biltmore Restaurant, AZ USA

Hillstone Restaurant, Arizona

The upscale area of Biltmore, Arizona, required sustainable lighting for a new concept restaurant called Hillstone. The urban lighting design brief was to seamlessly blend the indoor and outdoor experience and to do that, Accoya high-performance wood lighting poles were selected and strategically sighted. This sustainable lighting solution blends nature and style with stability and durability.

St Patrick’s Island, Canada

St. Patrick's Island, Calgary

The urban landscape design company tasked with the St. Patrick’s Island project selected elegant sustainable lighting poles featuring Accoya high-performance wood for “The Tip” section of the island which overlooks downtown Calgary. As the project was close to a wetland, Accoya was the ideal choice due to its unrivalled durability, stability and ability to last 50 years above ground and 25 years in ground. The wood’s eco credentials also met the designer’s sustainable and environmental vision. A superb example of biophilic design. The project involved Structura for lighting design, CMLC for public engagement, and Civitas with W Architecture for park design.

Solar Bollards

 

 

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Sustainable urban lighting design is becoming increasingly important to designers of urban projects. These solar bollards by Structure provide an eco-friendly way of helping create attractive and safer lighting for property, pathways, parking lots and public and commercial spaces. The product designers selected Accoya high-performance wood made from renewable and sustainable sources. It was chosen not only its aesthetics, but also for its durability, paint retention, dimensional stability and in-ground performance.

Lighting Bollards, France

 

Aubrilam Lights

Highly eco-responsible, these lighting poles by Aubrilam are made of Accoya high-performance wood, specified for their durability, stability and sustainability. The lights themselves are highly efficient in terms of energy usage, too.

Urban Structures Design

Play Pod, NSW Australia

A new super-neighborhood center in Eastern Creek, New South Wales provides a place to shop, eat, socialize, connect and play. The Architectural Pod Playground Designed by Arcadia Landscape Architecture and realised by Tilt Industrial Design, features a piece of bespoke urban landscape design made from Accoya wood. Made to an organic design, this innovative curved timber Play Pod structure is created using Accoya beams and battens as key design features. Lightweight, stable, sustainable and durable, Accoya will give today’s and future children decades of safe and inspiring play. The curved glulam beams and battens were fabricated by Curvwood using Accoya wood, which was supplied by Mathews Timber Sydney.

Rosenfeld Park, Basel, Switzerland

Rosenfeld Park, Basel, Switzerland

Sometimes the best urban landscape project by Holzpur is actually the most fun one. Take this playground in Rosenfeld Park in Basel, Switzerland which projects a quirky and innovative design language and features a series of climbing eggs. Made from a combination of robust, high-quality Accoya and locust wood, the eggs invite children to develop their creativity and skills. The durability and stability of Accoya ensure they have fun learning in a safe and engaging play environment.

Japanese Pavilion, English Channel Islands

Japanese Pavillion, English Channel Islands

© Chris George Photography

This brand new Accoya wood pavilion was installed at Sausmarez Park on Guernsey in the English Channel Islands by Paul’s Joinery Ltd. The Japanese style pavilion is a replacement for the previous pavilion that had become rotten and unsafe for visitors. The charity project selected Accoya high-performance wood due to its high stability, durability and long lifespan with a guarantee to withstand the elements. All timbers used to create the pavilion are Accoya, except the cedar roof shingles.

Autistic Garden, London

The RHS Chelsea Flower Show is one of the world’s premier annual garden events and in 2024, Accoya wood and Accoya Color were selected for the urban landscape design of the National Autistic Garden. Designed in collaboration with the National Autistic Society, the designers, Dido Milne of CSK Architects and Sophie Parmenter in collaboration with the National Autistic Society, created distinct spaces that represent different type of social interaction. Accoya’s superior sustainability credentials and durability made this wood the obvious choice for the garden’s pavilions and the boardwalk utilized Accoya Color, chosen for its weather resistance, longevity and slip resistant qualities, which were important for when it was relocated to Scotland after the show.

Urban Sculptural Design

Soundwave, NSW Australia

Soundwave Symphony, Australia

A highly personal piece of urban landscape design was created for a private garden in Vaucluse on the South Head east of Sydney. This Sculptural Soundwave Symphony consists of a sequence of 270 laminated Accoya wood blades that make up the sound waves of the client’s daughter’s wedding song. Each blade of the 16-meter long soundwave has its own unique contours and dimensions and the whole installation has the illusion of floating. The adjoining deck is also made of Accoya which was also selected for its unmatched dimensional stability, durability, and sustainability. Outhouse Design led the project, collaborating with Curvwood, a renowned Sydney-based glulam manufacturer, to bring the vision to life.

Nine Elms, England

Nine Elms, London

Situated near the iconic Battersea Power Station on the south bank of the River Thames in Nine Elms, London, this Accoya wood sculpture was designed by MoveART to create a sense of peace and inspiration to this densely populated area. The regenerated Battersea Power Station has attracted throngs of new visitors and residents and these impressive examples of urban landscape design have brightened up the area. Accoya sustainable wood was specified for all sculptures for its exceptional durability and stability and sustainability benefits.

Gascoigne Park, England

This vibrant public space in Barking, East London, is renowned for its innovative and sustainable landscape design and is the perfect demonstration of the versatility and durability of Accoya wood. Designed by MoveART to create an inviting environment, the three moveable sculptures enable the users to change each object. The exceptional durability and barefoot-friendly nature of Accoya enables visitors to comfortably engage with the sculptures free from the risk of splinters.

If you need any more information about Accoya applications for urban landscape design, please contact us.

Accsys Silt Cladding

Accoya Insights – November 2024

22.11.2024

Accoya company updates

Accoya company updates

Accoya Insights – our bi-monthly newsletter bringing you relevant company updates and key developments from around the world.

This edition includes:

  • Production underway in our new plant in Kingsport, US.
  • Updates in operational improvements
  • Expansion of the commercial team
  • Latest projects
  • Sustainability credentials
  • Marketing updates on our Where to Buy site

Accoya Color® awarded Cradle to Cradle certification at the prestigious ‘Gold’ level

16.05.2022

Accoya Color® has been awarded Cradle to Cradle certification at the prestigious ‘Gold’ level, as well as being awarded ‘Platinum’ level (the highest level) for both ‘Material Health’ and ‘Water Stewardship’.

This certification demonstrates that Accoya Color (alongside the Accoya parent brand) is a product that adheres to very high standards of sustainability, alongside the recognized high performance and durability credentials of the brand.

Accoya Color product scorecard for each level:

Products are reassessed by the C2C Products Innovation Institute every two years, and Accoya Color has now been successfully certified until May 2024. Visit here for more information on the Cradle to Cradle Products Innovation Institute.

color-grey-pool-deck

Hardwood vs. Softwood

We explore the difference between hardwood and softwood, to help you choose the right timber.

16.07.2018

One of the most spectacular aquariums in the world

The Deep, operating as an education and conservation charity in Hull, and in recent years becoming an international player in marine conservation, has undergone development to its’ penguin enclosure with Accoya® wood, the world-leading high performance, sustainable wood product. Located in Hull, East Yorkshire it is one of the most spectacular aquariums in the world, and is home to 5,000 animals including magnificent sharks and rays, as well as penguins. The dramatic building, which overlooks the Humber estuary, was designed by world class architects, Sir Terry Farrell and Partners.

 

With opportunities to view the penguins from different areas, The Deep is the only location in the North of England where the public can see Gentoo penguins. Their home runs over three floors and features a chilled swimming pool, beach and nesting areas as well as the penguins’ very own outdoor balcony with views overlooking the Humber. The exhibit has been created with the penguins’ comfort in mind and boasts climate control and natural lighting cycles to provide essential behavioural cues for breeding and moulting.

 

Accoya® was the ideal choice for this project thanks to its exceptional durability, reliability and stability properties. Non-toxic and with a guarantee of 50 years above ground and 25 years in ground/freshwater, Accoya® wood can withstand the damp conditions within the penguin enclosure, whilst resisting distortion and warping over its lifetime.

 

25x150mm Accoya® pieces were used as decking boards, bolted to a stainless steel frame, on the entrance walkway of the enclosure. A few offcuts were also used to construct a gate and others were scattered as debris in line with the displays theme concept. All Accoya® was sandblasted to artificially weather it and accentuate the grain. The planks were left uncoated.

 

James Denman, aquarist at The Deep commented: “It was wholeheartedly agreed that Accoya® would be the best solution for a long term outcome due to its hard wearing, versatile nature. The fact that Accoya® doesn’t require treatment for longevity in a wet/dry areas definitely appealed to us. When creating an exhibit for birds, the less chemicals used the better as they are incredibly sensitive.”

RIBA – Acetylated Wood: The Optimum Solution for Cladding, Decking, Windows and Doors

20.01.2011

A RIBA-registered CPD Presentation

A RIBA-registered CPD Presentation

This CPD focuses on the topic of acetylated wood, its features, benefits, applications, sustainable credentials and the relevant specification considerations. By the end of the presentation you should a greater understanding of:

  • What acetylated wood is and acetylation
  • The benefits of acetylated wood
  • The key considerations for specifying acetylated wood
  • Common uses of acetylated wood

If you would like more information about our CPD on acetylated wood cladding, please download the information sheet below.

Download

Organise a CPD

To book now for you and your colleagues, please use our contact form here to let us know.

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RIBA – Acetylated Wood Cladding: A Solution to Many Problems Associated with Timber

20.01.2011

A RIBA-registered CPD Presentation

A RIBA-registered CPD Presentation

Acetylated Wood: A solution to many problems associated with timber cladding.

This seminar looks at the use of acetylated wood in timber cladding. By the end of the CPD you should have a greater understanding of:

  • The causes of potential problems with timber cladding
  • The process involved with acetylated wood cladding
  • The benefits of using acetylated wood and how it can reduce cladding problems

If you would like more information about our CPD on acetylated wood cladding, please download the information sheet below.

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Organise a CPD

To book now for you and your colleagues, please use our contact form here to let us know.

Someone will then be in touch to discuss further and make arrangements.

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