
Wild Urban Interface & Accoya Wood Siding

WUI- Wild Urban Interface & Accoya Wood Siding
While Accoya siding has historically had a Class C fire rating under the U.S. system, we’re thrilled to announce that Accoya wood siding can now be used on buildings in designated Wild Urban Interface (WUI) areas! This is significant as WUI areas are expanding rapidly across the United States.
WUI compliance is generally associated with a specific construction assembly, which includes a variety of materials incorporated in a wall structure. For more information on the approved assembly tested with Accoya, see the link below to the Fire Behavior flier.
The market opportunities of this WUI compliance are huge, offering solutions for architects, builders and designers with Accoya as a material option for their projects in FHSZ (Fire Hazard Severity Zone) applications.
These updates are reflected in the following documents:
Accsys-US-Siding-Guidelines.pdf

Accoya Insights – November 2024
11.20.2024

Accoya company updates
Accoya Insights – our newsletter bringing you relevant company updates and key developments from around the world.
This edition includes:
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- Kingsport Production Underway
- Operation Improvements
- New Faces in Sales & Marketing
- New Projects- Silt Casino, Elegant Accoya Decking in Germany, Forskaren Innovation Centre
- Sustainability Certifications
- Fire Behavior & WUI
- Where To Buy Updates

ACCOYA MILESTONE!
Production underway at Accoya USA, Kingsport Tennessee! The new fully operational plant establishes a dedicated North American supply and increases the production capacity of high-performance, sustainable building materials.
09.16.2024

PRODUCTION UNDERWAY AT ACCOYA USA!
We are pleased to share that Accoya USA, the first-ever U.S. manufacturing site, is now commercially operational. The production facility, a joint venture between Accsys and Eastman Chemical Company, replicates the design and technology of Accsys’ established production facility in the Netherlands and has an initial capacity of 463,000 square feet. The site created 46 skilled new jobs in the area.

North American Expansion Celebration
“This important international expansion is a huge milestone for Accsys and Accoya USA,” said Dr. Jelena Arsic van Os, CEO of Accsys Technologies PLC. “We have created a supply proximity to our North American customers, allowing us to efficiently serve the largest and most attractive wood market in the world, with the most durable and stable wood products available in the marketplace.”
“With the growing trends for timber in construction and the increasing demand for wood products, we are excited by the opportunities for Accoya USA,” said Brad Lich, executive vice president and chief commercial officer of Eastman. “Accoya offers unrivaled performance in outdoor applications, providing sustainable and durable solutions that meet the evolving needs of consumers and builders alike.”
“We’re so excited for customers to start receiving Accoya batches manufactured in Tennessee, which allows us to provide faster delivery and enhance reliability and service,” said Rod Graf, general manager of Accoya USA. “The production team is well set to produce Accoya to the same high-performance standards the market is accustomed to.”
Accoya demand has been growing in North America, and the product has been specified for some high-profile projects, including the zero-carbon Marisol Malibu, the restoration of the Minnesota State Capitol, and the Rivington Hotel, Manhattan.

Accoya Wood: Continuing Environmental Excellence In New Facilities
As part of the joint venture, Accsys leverages Eastman’s world-class acetyl production capabilities to produce its Accoya wood products. This supports the recycling of acetyls and enables a closed-loop system, reducing emissions and ensuring circularity. This adds to Accoya’s strong environmental credentials, which are Cradle to Cradle Certified® Gold.
Accoya wood brings unprecedented reliability to timber. It is manufactured and tested not to visibly swell, shrink, or distort, making it ideal for windows, doors, decking, and siding. Accoya offers an unrivaled 50-year above-ground and 25-year in-ground and freshwater warranty.




Goodbye 2023 — Architecture Trends 2024

Sustainable Practices
Through technological advancements, the rise in wood design allows for taller and more complex wood buildings. Naturally sustainable wood is a renewable resource and offers warmth and beauty. Today, sustainable building design is non-negotiable, according to Gensler Design Forecast 2024. Public awareness of climate change and other environmental impacts means architects and designers will continue to prioritize sustainability. In this article from 2021, we feature a dozen examples of sustainable building design, including our first passive house design in the U.S.
- Way ahead of the architecture trends in 2024, a home built in 2017, Squirrel Hill’s first passive house is clad with Accoya. Its owners, two physicists, evaluated materials for their embodied energy, toxicity, and low environmental impacts and chose Accoya wood was specified for the cladding due to its low carbon footprint, durability, and outstanding warranty.


Adapting to Change
As our work and lifestyles continue to evolve post-pandemic, designing spaces that can adapt to the changing needs of the work — and home is essential. From movable walls to adaptable furniture to convertible rooms that serve multiple purposes, an emphasis on design flexibility in architecture trends 2024 is key. One of our favorite projects from 2023 takes the concept of flexibility and adaptation to reality.
- The Third Space Commons is a building that has gone through three transformations. The first was showcasing reusable materials and systems from a single-family home. The second transformation is a near-zero energy and carbon home featured in the Solar Decathlon competition, and today — in its third transformation — is a living lab and collaborative space for the University of British Columbia students and faculty focusing on innovation and sustainability. The project uses Accoya Color Grey as its cladding and decking—a testament to evolution and adaptation to change.


Growing Demand for Well-being
As awareness of mental health issues grows, the demand for incorporating well-being into architectural design will continue to be a significant trend in 2024. Research has shown that biophilic design — connecting people with nature within the built environment — can strengthen the immune system, reduce stress levels, improve mood, and boost cognitive function. These are all great benefits for an employee’s productivity and morale at the office.
Integrating nature into buildings through natural light, ventilation, greenery, and natural organic materials like wood will be an architectural trend for 2024.
- This Marion, Iowa fire station is clad with charred Accoya wood and was featured in Architectural Record in March of 2023, and OPN Architects created a sustainable building design. An example of a building focused on biophilic design — connecting nature with building occupants to “ease the physical and mental trauma that they [we] experience in these jobs.” Charred wood is created by using the Japanese technique of Shou sugi ban.

Technological Advancements
In 2024, architectural trends promise to be a year full of exciting, cutting-edge technological advancements. AI continues to make headlines, and it is rapidly changing. AI-powered generative design tools will allow architects to explore possibilities never considered, like predictive modeling, to determine how a building will perform. Acronyms delight — VR, AR, 3D —in allowing architects to go virtual, improving communication and collaboration between the design group, clients, and stakeholders.
Advanced materials and construction techniques are revolutionizing the construction industry, and 3D printing and bio-based materials are gaining more traction than ever due to their eco-friendly nature and as an alternative to traditional building materials.
- When you think of a playground, street signs, lighting, or art sculpture, you might think of metal, concrete, plastic, or glass. Reimagine, if you will, an alternative to the traditional building material: Accoya wood. Accoya is the ideal wood material for extreme climates — outdoor, wet, cold, hot, you name it. It is highly durable. At the forefront are the health and safety of children, durability, and long-lasting, and Accoya delivers.
Lastly, smart buildings and the Internet of Things (IoT) will continue to advance in collecting important data, optimizing building performance, and adapting to the occupants’ needs. Technological advancements are poised to transform architectural design in 2024.

Embracing Cultural Diversity and Inclusivity
Reflecting our diverse world and fostering social equality and connection will be increasingly important in 2024 and beyond. As a result, our architecture must reflect the different cultural traditions and aesthetics within our society to create a better sense of belonging for all. It includes accessible design — physical, cultural, and diverse needs — to ensure everyone can enjoy buildings and designing spaces to promote open interaction and exchanges to understand our differing communities better.
- One of our first projects in the United States (2010) was revitalizing a South Dallas, Texas, neighborhood community center revitalization — a communal hub for a historically underprivileged neighborhood. The Jubilee Park and Community Center catalyzes community renewal and enrichment, revitalizing and educating its children and adults. The center accommodates various needs — police department substation, senior citizen program space, and after-school care for children — while bridging the gap between old and new. Accoya wood blended with the homes in the neighborhood while creating a usable, lasting resource for the community.
While many trends are not new, they are evolving, and many are exploding rapidly — hello technology —it is a pivotal time for sustainable building design and architecture trends 2024 and beyond, paving the way for a more resilient future. At Accoya, we’re at the forefront of sustainable building design.

Accoya Insights – December 2023
12.20.2023

Accoya company updates
Accoya Insights – our bi-monthly newsletter with exciting company updates from around the world.
This edition includes:
-
- Kingsport plant construction
- Accoya and Accoya color achieves Cradle to Cradle GOLD
- Tricoya® brand aligns with Accoya®
- Nordic Swan Eco label is renewed for Accoya
- 9 year above-ground Hazard Class H3 field performance update
- Accoya extends scope of window and door security testing in UK

Accoya® Awarded Two Prestigious Awards
CRADLE TO CRADLE CERTIFIED® GOLD AND PLATINUM AND TOOK TOP HONOR FOR MOST INNOVATIVE PRODUCT FROM PSP/DECK EXPO. The awards reflect Accoya’s commitment to sustainability, contribution to the circular economy, and excellence in product innovation.
12.14.2023

Ending the year on a high note
Accoya wood has garnered two prestigious awards, ending the year on a high note — Cradle to Cradle Certified® Gold in product circularity, renewable energy and carbon management, water stewardship, and social fairness levels and platinum for material health by the Cradle to Cradle Products Innovation Institute. Accoya also brings home the top honor for People’s Choice in the Most Innovative Deck or Patio Product Award for Accoya Color Grey from the Pool, Spa, Patio (PSP)/Deck Expo 2023.

Cradle to Cradle Certification
Founded in 2010, the C2C Institute’s mission is to lead, inspire, and enable all stakeholders across the global economy to create and use innovative products and materials that positively impact people and the planet. Cradle to Cradle Certified is recognized by several building eco-programs, including LEED, for its contribution to healthier buildings.
“Cradle to Cradle certification is a highly prestigious award, and we are proud of our recertification and our product’s circular economy benefits,” said Jelena Arsic van Os, CEO of Accsys Technologies. “The standards set by the Institute are incredibly rigorous, requiring us to submit evidence and demonstrate best practices. With the pressure on for builders and architects to build better for our planet, having Accoya Cradle to Cradle Certified gives our customers peace of mind they are working with a product that is contributing to a sustainable future.”

Accoya achieves people’s choice
PSP/Deck Expo showcased the latest innovations and engaged attendees and industry professionals in a unique voting experience. The People’s Choice category resonated globally from on-site ballots to online participation.
“This achievement reflects the excellence of the Accoya Color Grey product and the collective acknowledgment of its impact within the industry,” said Laura Keily, head of marketing at Accsys. “We thank everyone who voted for Accoya Color Grey.”
Accoya is made from FSC® certified fast-growing pine from well-managed forests. Through a modification process, Accsys transforms the pine into Accoya, a highly durable and stable wood, reducing reliance on unsustainable and, often irresponsibly sourced, hardwoods. Accoya is entirely non-toxic and has a low lifetime carbon footprint.

Accoya Wins People’s Choice Award For The Most Innovative Deck Product
In a dazzling display of cutting-edge design and sustainable innovation, Accoya Color Grey has clinched the coveted Innovative Product Showcase People’s Choice Award, powered by PSP/Deck Expo. This prestigious accolade underscores the revolutionary impact of Accoya Color Grey within the industry, signaling a paradigm shift towards environmentally conscious and aesthetically pleasing solutions.
12.12.2023

Accoya Color Grey Triumphs
Accoya Color Grey, a product of meticulous research and development, has redefined the possibilities of outdoor decking materials. Its success in securing the People’s Choice Award at the Innovative Product Showcase, hosted by PSP/Deck Expo, is a testament to its widespread acceptance and approval within the professional community and among the public.
This accolade is not just a recognition of Accoya Color Grey’s striking appearance but also of its commitment to sustainability. The product embodies a marriage of form and function, offering an exquisite grey finish that resonates with contemporary design trends while being sourced from sustainable, fast-growing wood. Accoya Color Grey stands as a shining example of how innovation can be seamlessly integrated with eco-conscious practices to create a product that transcends industry norms.
The Innovative Product Showcase at PSP/Deck Expo serves as a prominent platform for industry leaders and enthusiasts to discover groundbreaking products. Accoya Color Grey’s victory in the People’s Choice category reinforces its appeal and popularity among those who prioritize not only performance and aesthetics but also environmental responsibility.
This triumph positions Accoya Color Grey as a trailblazer in the decking materials landscape, setting new benchmarks for excellence and sustainability. As the industry continues to evolve, this accolade solidifies Accoya Color Grey’s role as a frontrunner, inspiring others to follow suit in the pursuit of innovation that not only meets but exceeds the expectations of both professionals and consumers alike.
Award: Most Innovative Deck or Patio Products
Hosted by: International Pool, Spa, Patio Expo and Deck Expo

Top 5 landscape timber projects
Wood is a versatile and beautiful material used to create various structures, from simple planters, decking, and boardwalks to complex commercial building facades. It adds warmth and character to outdoor spaces. As a renewable resource, it is naturally sustainable, and unlike other materials used for landscaping, it carries a small carbon footprint.
12.04.2023

Timber for residential and commercial designs
There are many ways to use timber in landscape timber projects for residential and commercial designs. We’ve assembled some of our favorite landscape timber ideas for consideration below:
1. Decking, Bridges, and Walkways
It is still the most popular choice for decking, generally the focal point for the yard and extending the outdoor living areas. Timber can also be used for commercial boardwalks and larger marina projects. For instance, Accoya was chosen for a 1,300-foot-long boardwalk in Australia, home to some of the harshest weather conditions in the world.

2. Shading Structures
Using timber for shading structures is a smart choice, from pergolas, arbors, louvers/shutters, or bus shelters. Whether you’re using the structure for shade or as a complement to your overall landscape project, use timber to enhance the outdoor space. Consider this extended living space in Norway featuring a backyard kitchen pergola structure using Accoya. Louvers were added for shade and privacy.

3. Furniture
Timber offers homeowners and commercial designers flexible and creative options regarding outdoor furniture and structures. It also provides warmth that can’t be matched with other materials like metal, plastic, and concrete. It is also a natural insulator, absorbing sound rather than bouncing off. In the middle of a city, where noise is a constant, the city of New Plymouth in New Zealand created an outdoor respite area showcasing seating and planters made of Accoya.

4. Playground Equipment
Visit most public city or school playgrounds and you’ll likely spot metal or plastic-made playground equipment. Today custom timber-made playground equipment is soaring. The Universal Design Playground in Cambridge, Mass., is a 30,000-square-foot public play area in Danehy Park that features hundreds of pieces of wood to create a play area open to all people.

5. Lighting Structures
Add ambiance or blend into any outdoor space with wood-lighting structures. Timber lighting structures can soften and diffuse light or make an area bold and dramatic. The Pike, located along the shoreline in Long Beach, features timber light poles along the shoreline strip.

Choosing a suitable timber product
Whether you’re a homeowner or a landscape professional, using timber for landscape architecture projects offers flexibility, warmth, and beauty. Choosing a suitable timber for your project just got easier.
Accoya is tried and tested. It is rot-resistant and proven to last — in the most extreme weather conditions — for up to 50 years. It’s why landscape designers choose Accoya for timber landscape projects.
How will you use Accoya for your landscape timber project? Please send us your projects using Accoya.com

Warren Trask has joined our distribution network in the USA
With deep roots in the lumber industry, Warren Trask Company will supply Accoya in the Northeast U.S
10.04.2023
KINGSPORT, Tenn., September 26, 2023 — Accsys, the fast-growing company that enhances the natural properties of wood to create high-performance, sustainable building products, expanding its North American footprint by adding the Warren Trask Company as a new distributor in the Northeast U.S.
In business since 1924, the Warren Trask Company has established itself as one of the top building materials wholesalers in the Northeast. The company’s operation encompasses over 30 acres in Lakeville, Massachusetts, and a Menands, New York location.
“Accoya checks the boxes that traditional wood does not,” said Bernie Nugent, President of the Warren Trask Company. “Moisture-related swelling and difficulty in the stability of wood when coated with dark colors have now become problems of the past for decks and siding, thanks to Accoya. We aim to make this sustainable wood option available and affordable through our specialty lumber yard market across the Northeast and our other best-in-class offerings. We value the partnership with Accsys in building this opportunity.”
“As our U.S. production plant in Kingsport, Tennessee, moves closer to its completion — scheduled for mid-2024 — the additional distribution supports the growing demand for our high-performance, sustainable products,” said John Alexander, group sales director at Accsys. “We are pleased the Warren Trask Company has chosen to supply Accoya, improving the availability of a long-lasting, environmentally responsible building material.”

Accoya wood brings unprecedented reliability for timber, with a 50-year above-ground and 25-year in-ground and freshwater warranty. Manufactured from fast-growing and renewable FSC® certified sources, it is one of the few building products to be Cradle to Cradle Certified® Gold. It is well suited for the Northeastern U.S. climate and is ideal for siding, decking, historical restoration projects, windows, and doors.

Accoya Insights – December 2023
10.04.2023

Accoya company updates
Accoya Insights – our bi-monthly newsletter with exciting company updates from around the world.
This edition includes:
-
- Kingsport plant construction
- Accoya and Accoya color achieves Cradle to Cradle GOLD
- Tricoya® brand aligns with Accoya®
- Nordic Swan Eco label is renewed for Accoya
- 9 year above-ground Hazard Class H3 field performance update
- Accoya extends scope of window and door security testing in UK

Weatherproof decking: What you need to know
This article includes instructions about weatherproofing wood decking, why it’s essential, and when to do it seasonally (i.e. now – late summer – before the wet and cold weather comes).
09.13.2023

Weatherproof decking: What you need to know
The unpredictability of Fall and Winter weather is coming. Yet it tends to sneak up on us every year. Depending on where you live, fall and winter brings hard rains, heavy snow, winds, or brutally cold temperatures—all that can wreak havoc on your wood decking. Now is the time to prepare, including weatherproofing your wood deck.
While some wood decks (like Accoya) are more durable than others, it’s still prudent to ensure that any wood deck performs year after year. Here are some simple steps to weatherproof decking so you can enjoy it for years.

Take a walk
The first step in weatherproof decking is to walk around and inspect the deck for any signs of rotting, loose boards, popped nails, or splintering wood. Now is the time for repairs, from tightening loose fasteners or nails or replacing damaged decking. Once that’s completed, you’re ready for the next step.
Seal and coat for longevity and looks
Over time you need to reapply stains and paint as well as seal. By sealing your deck, you can protect it from the deluge of fall and winter moisture and water penetration and ultimately reduce the risks of rot and mold growth. While you don’t have to worry about rot and mold growth with Accoya, other natural wood options require proper sealing. With transparent stains to retain a natural wood look, the material will eventually fade to a lovely natural silver-gray patina. If the natural look is not your thing, you can stain Accoya any color, even black, using oil- or water-based stains. Our stains enhance your wood deck’s natural beauty and offer added UV protection to shield it from the sun’s harmful rays.
Give your deck a bath
After inspecting your deck, grab a stiff brush and clear water to clean your Accoya wood deck if you notice debris or dirt. This process can be improved by wetting the brush before cleaning, as the soaking softens the biofilm. (Decking forms a “biofilm,” a layer that holds water and reduces the drying speed. Regular cleaning can help control its build-up.) For more persistent stains, a cleaning agent can be used, and, at Accoya, we recommend a cleaning agent with a PH value below nine and rinse the decking thoroughly with clear water. Never use a high-pressure washer, even on the low setting— you can destroy your wood deck.

More preventive steps that are easy to do
Besides an annual cleaning, board replacement, and other maintenance, there are other complementary ways you can weatherproof and keep your wood deck lasting for years. Is water pooling anywhere on your deck? Consider adding gutter systems or downspouts to carry water off the deck and away from your foundation. To help shield your deck against your local environment from wind or rain, or snow, consider adding a retractable deck awning or a pergola with a waterproof cover. Try to rotate plant pots or furniture. Over time, leaving these items on your wood deck is a breeding ground for wet, moldy patches and can stain or discolor your wood deck.
Accoya provides a 25-year residential warranty, giving homeowners peace of mind that their decking is worth the investment. Decking boards made from Accoya wood are very durable and rarely need repairs. That said, take the time each summer to do a proper weatherproof decking inspection to keep ahead of any repairs, and always clean your Accoya decking regularly with just water and a brush.
To read more about our decking options, visit our website.

5 Ways to Transform Your Outdoor Space With Decks by HOUZZ

A series of architectural feats and firsts from Accoya Wood
A look at striking architectural projects around the world to celebrate The London Festival of Architecture.

Accoya retains Gold and Platinum Cradle to Cradle® certifications
Accoya® has successfully retained its Gold and Platinum Cradle to Cradle® (C2C).

The perfect match: best house and deck color combinations
Looking for house and deck color combinations? From bold to complementary, contrasting to neutral, and mixed materials, we’ve found the best.

The perfect match: best house and deck color combinations
Gone are the days of painting your home and leaving the deck as is or installing a new deck and merely considering its color or existing natural grain as an afterthought. Housing deck designs are more sophisticated today and are a focal point for the outdoor area.
08.09.2023

The deck, an extension of your home, is an essential space for homeowners to relax and entertain. As such, the house deck designs deserve the same attention to detail as the rest of your exterior. And that includes color combinations, finishes — natural or coated — and material choices.
Today, savvy homeowners are discovering new ways to mix materials on their home’s exterior, including color combinations. Contrasting your home’s colors with your decking can add visual interest, texture, and personality to a home’s exterior and create a unique, dynamic look that reflects your style.
Combining your home’s color with your new or existing deck offers cautionary advice. Here are some ‘how to choose deck color’ considerations and tips to think about.

Complementary colors
When choosing a color for your house deck designs, select options that complement the color of your house and align with its style. Bright colors might work on a modern home but look out of place on a farmhouse-style home, for instance. Consider harmonizing two color options so the house and deck color combinations seamlessly blend.
For instance, earth-tone-colored homes with darker-shade decking or timber decking would work, or a classic white house matches well with a natural wood finish or a light gray deck, and Accoya natural or color can deliver.
For a bold and eye-catching look, if your home is painted a neutral color (white or light gray), coat your deck with a vibrant hue like teal, red, or deep green to add personality and a modern or eclectic style.

Contrasting colors are in, too
Of course, you will want to match colors ultimately. However, adding contrast can create visual interest by mixing light and dark colors. Does your home have a “mood”? It sure does! Color combinations can evoke different moods, from earthy and natural tones, like a stylish grey deck to create a warm and welcoming atmosphere, while bold and contrasting colors can create a more vibrant look.


Beyond colors: mixing materials
Discussing modern deck and house color combinations wouldn’t be complete without mentioning the popularity of combining wood and metal for a home’s exterior. For instance, wood siding for a warm and natural feel is complemented with metal accents such as decorative panels with interesting texture and contrast to the exterior design. Or use wood for fencing or railings and incorporate metal elements such as cable railing to create a visually appealing boundary without the weight.

Test before jumping in
Still trying to figure out what colors will work best to mix and match? We recommend getting paint samples and testing them in different lighting conditions. Your porch light can do good and bad wonders for a home’s color, as can the time of day. This will ensure how the color matches—or doesn’t—against your home’s exterior in various lighting situations to ensure a cohesive match before painting.

Always stylish grey
Grey, a popular choice today, is a versatile yet neutral color that can work well with many home styles and designs. But with any exterior product, it needs to withstand the elements and stay looking as fresh as the day it was built. Accoya Color Grey is the perfect deck and siding choice that complements almost any other color. Better yet, it’s also an ultra-high performance decking product that combines the beauty and benefits of 100% natural wood but without the drawbacks. Colored through completely from surface to core, the gorgeous Color Grey delivers a premium, lasting look.
To learn more about Accoya Color Grey and to get inspired by decking projects, visit here.

How to clean and care for your Accoya wood siding in summer
Summer is the perfect time to enjoy the outdoors, whether hiking, biking, swimming, or just being outside in the warm sun. For homeowners, summer is also the perfect time for home maintenance, including cleaning and caring for your wood siding.
08.09.2023

Get ready for summer
It’s not as arduous as you’d think, either. And, after you’re done, your home’s exterior is ready for the fall and beyond to perform better and keep its beautiful curb appeal.
As an Accoya customer, you know that the siding on your home is resistant to rotting, is likely to stay free of any visible distortion over its lifetime, and is a cost-effective choice for lasting performance. That’s a solid foundation for keeping your siding clean. However, dirt and debris can still accumulate over the years. Here are our six tips on how to clean wood siding and how to care for wood siding and maintain it for years to come.

Tip 1: Make sure you have the tools and supplies needed.
Cleaning your wood siding doesn’t require specialized tools; most tools you’ll need should be in your garage. Tools and supplies include a simple garden hose with a spray nozzle, a bucket, a ladder, a soft-bristle brush or sponge, mild detergent, and if you decide to coat your siding, we have multiple options for you to consider.

Tip 2: Take a walk around your home (while enjoying that summer sunshine).
Inspect your Accoya siding and look for damaged, missing, or loose boards. Now is the time to repair any siding if needed.
Tip 3: Prep your siding and rinse.
Think of this step as painting a room. Once you’ve gathered your tools and inspected your siding, prepare your siding by removing any dirt or debris, or obstacles nearby. If you have landscaping, consider covering it with a light plastic sheet. Now it’s time to gently rinse your siding with your hose’s spray nozzle to remove dirt and any debris. (Note: never use a pressure washer for this step.
Tip 4: Scrub, clean, and rinse (again).
Fill your bucket with water with mild detergent, mix, and always test a small area to ensure your solution doesn’t damage or discolor your siding. After determining the solution is okay, gently scrub your wood siding and apply deep scrubs where dirt appears. Once your siding is cleaned, rinse it again with your garden hose.
Tip 5: Grab a beverage and allow the siding to dry.
Allow your wood siding to dry naturally with the summer sun, and enjoy your clean and maintained siding for another season.

Tip 6: To coat or not to coat
Like other wood products, uncoated Accoya wood will weather over time to an elegant gray color when exposed to the elements outdoors. However, weathering does not affect Accoya’s durability, stability, or performance, unlike other woods.
Though your Accoya wood siding doesn’t require a recoat, you might consider recoating for aesthetic reasons. If applying a coating, let your wood siding dry for at least 24 hours, then apply your coating. For more information on coating recommendations, we have compiled a list of tried and tested coating suppliers to consider, or reference our Essential Coatings Guide for best practice tips.
Your exterior wood siding needs to weather all seasons and types of environments. Accoya knows that aesthetics, low maintenance, and durability are crucial. Accoya is a cost-effective choice siding solution for lasting performance.
Accoya siding is manufactured from FSC® certified wood and has numerous advantages: lasting performance, beautiful aesthetic, and the clear conscience that you have used a sustainable material.
Read more about Accoya wood siding products here.

10 great examples of Japanese burnt wood siding (Shou Sugi Ban)
If you’re looking for a siding material that creates a distinctive texture but one that’s also visually striking and adds a unique character to the exterior, look no further than Japanese burnt wood siding, also known as Shou Sugi Ban.
06.29.2023

What is Shou Sugi Ban?
Shou Sugi Ban has been around for hundreds of years and has a long history in Japan. The technique—which includes burning the surface of the wood to create a layer of char that protects it from weathering, insects, and rot—originated in the 18th century to help preserve cedar siding on traditional Japanese homes and temples.
Shou Sugi Ban then gained popularity worldwide, with designers, architects, and homeowners using charred Accoya wood for various applications. Its durability, sustainability, and unique appearance make it a sought-after material for modern residential and commercial design projects.
Here are 10 stunning examples to inspire you if you consider installing for your Shou Sugi Ban house or other projects.

Modern touches meet sustainability
For this ultra-modern home, Shou Sugi Ban is aesthetically beautiful, and the dark finish also achieves a striking, standout appeal. Utilizing charring as a surface treatment is a natural, sustainable, non-toxic alternative to treated wood that harms people and the environment.

Beautiful and energy efficient
This Passive House in Utah is not only sustainable and energy efficient, the gorgeous exterior is wrapped in charred Accoya wood, fitting the eco-conscious theme—but is designed to last, providing stability throughout the seasonal changes in Utah.

Chicago two-tone
This simple two-story home in Chicago used two shades of charred Accoya wood. The base is concrete, while the upper levels used an Accoya wood façade system in two different shades – grey and black. The façade mirrors the internal arrangement of the two floors. Not so simple anymore!

Swimming in design
Sometimes a pool house is just a pool house, but in this case, the homeowner went deep and chose Accoya Barnwood Siding in Delta Black by Delta Millworks. The result is a modern, beautiful structure that will delight the homeowners to enjoy during the summer and show off at future pool parties.

Going coastal
Accoya’s MATSU (from the Japanese term ‘pine tree’), by reSAWN Timber Co., provided a burnt look on the outer facing side of the tongue and groove cladding but also extreme durability, exterior weathering capabilities, FSC®-certification, exterior warranty, and the hardiness of Accoya for those brutal coastal conditions.

Unique and Striking with Accoya
Manufactured by reSAWN TIMBER Co., Accoya was used to bring a unique and striking look to this private residence. A specific range of Accoya wood, MATSU Shou Sugi Ban, was selected for the project. This charred cladding is burnt on the visible side only and then sealed on its face and back.

Slatted for luxury
A deep gray, slatted Accoya wood covers the exterior, while charred, stained, sealed, and deep gray, slatted Accoya wood siding by reSAWN Timber Co. enhances the roofscape’s dynamic edges and arcs. Accoya was chosen for its durability, low maintenance, and distinctly contemporary appearance.

Not your grandfather’s garage
This striking facade for this homeowner’s garage is made from Accoya wood but was left uncoated to reveal the natural light coloring of Accoya. In complete contrast, the garage itself was clad using charred Accoya. The two varying finishes complement each other well and show just how versatile Accoya is.

Not just for homes
Who says fire stations have to be drab, concrete affairs?
This fire station in Aspen used Accoya Smooth Coastline by Delta Millworks, which provides splashes and accents to break up the fire station’s exteriors.

Ready for its close up
Last is an up-close look at one of our Shou Sugi Ban—Accoya Deep Char, by Pioneer Millworks. An additional feature of Accoya’s Shou Sugi Ban wood is that the grain is emphasized much more than any other timber due to how well the process chars our wood—and is offered in various colors.
Whether you call it Japanese burnt wood siding or Shou Sugi Ban, you’ll be impressed by Accoya’s aesthetically pleasing looks, sustainable and long-lasting method of wood preservation, and charred layer highly resistant to moisture, UV rays, and fire.
An additional feature of Accoya is that our grain is emphasized much more than any other timber due to how well the process chars Accoya. The process makes it an attractive timber for exterior siding and even internal feature walls.





10 great examples of Japanese burnt wood siding (Shou Sugi Ban)
If you’re looking for a siding material that creates a distinctive texture but one that’s also visually striking and adds a unique character to the exterior, look no further than Japanese burnt wood siding, also known as Shou Sugi Ban.
03.20.2023

What is Shou Sugi Ban?
Shou Sugi Ban has been around for hundreds of years and has a long history in Japan. The technique—which includes burning the surface of the wood to create a layer of char that protects it from weathering, insects, and rot—originated in the 18th century to help preserve cedar siding on traditional Japanese homes and temples.
Shou Sugi Ban then gained popularity worldwide, with designers, architects, and homeowners using charred Accoya wood for various applications. Its durability, sustainability, and unique appearance make it a sought-after material for modern residential and commercial design projects.
Here are 10 stunning examples to inspire you if you consider installing for your Shou Sugi Ban house or other projects.

Modern touches meet sustainability
For this ultra-modern home, Shou Sugi Ban is aesthetically beautiful, and the dark finish also achieves a striking, standout appeal. Utilizing charring as a surface treatment is a natural, sustainable, non-toxic alternative to treated wood that harms people and the environment.

Beautiful and energy efficient
This Passive House in Utah is not only sustainable and energy efficient, the gorgeous exterior is wrapped in charred Accoya wood, fitting the eco-conscious theme—but is designed to last, providing stability throughout the seasonal changes in Utah.

Chicago two-tone
This simple two-story home in Chicago used two shades of charred Accoya wood. The base is concrete, while the upper levels used an Accoya wood façade system in two different shades – grey and black. The façade mirrors the internal arrangement of the two floors. Not so simple anymore!

Swimming in design
Sometimes a pool house is just a pool house, but in this case, the homeowner went deep and chose Accoya Barnwood Siding in Delta Black by Delta Millworks. The result is a modern, beautiful structure that will delight the homeowners to enjoy during the summer and show off at future pool parties.
2023 Design Trends
Design trends come and go, but the staying value of core house color design doesn’t stray too far from keeping it neutral. Homeowners can complement house color design with mixed materials to achieve their desired design goals.
The total value of remodeling projects in 2023 is expected to be nearly $450 billion, says the Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard University. So, whether a homeowner is remodeling or building a new custom home, they want home design styles and products to match their vision. In an era emphasizing durability, sustainability, wellness, and less maintenance, products that last and perform will gain in usage and popularity.

10 great examples of Japanese burnt wood siding (Shou Sugi Ban)
If you’re looking for a siding material that creates a distinctive texture but one that’s also visually striking and adds a unique character to the exterior, look no further than Japanese burnt wood siding, also known as Shou Sugi Ban.
12.09.2022



KINGSPORT, Tenn., December 9, 2022—
Accoya USA LLC, broke ground on its U.S. manufacturing facility in June and is on track to begin manufacturing Accoya, the ultra- high performance sustainable wood, in early 2024. The plant is a joint venture between Accsys, the only acetylated wood producer in the world, and Eastman a global specialty materials company. As part of the joint venture, Accsys leverages Eastman’s world-class acetyl production capabilities to produce its Accoya wood products.
North America represents the largest potential regional market for Accoya, and the new plant will ensure a ready supply of Accoya to the U.S. market.
“Our sales in North America grew 44% between our fiscal 2021 and 2022 years and we are seeing continued strong demand for Accoya,” said John Alexander, group sales director, at Accsys. “Once operational, the Kingsport site will double our Accoya 2022 production volumes.”

The groundbreaking comes on the heels of the completion of the fourth acetylation reactor at Arnhem, the Netherlands plant in September. The fourth reactor increases Arnhem’s Accoya production capacity by 33% and the Kingsport facility will be an additional 67% increase in capacity from 2022 volumes.
Once operational in early 2024, the Kingsport facility will supply the North American market and the Netherlands plant will supply the rest of the world. The U.S. reactors are currently being transported from Europe and will arrive in Kingsport in January 2023.
“We are excited to join the Kingsport community and witness the progression of the U.S. facility,” said Rod Graf, general manager of Accoya USA. “Our state-of-the-art facility will increase capacity, create local jobs, and build community. We are also excited to collaborate with the Tennessee College of Applied Technology and Regional Center for Advanced Manufacturing to be a preferred employer in the region as we begin production.”
The U.S. facility will be known as Accoya USA LLC and will create more than 50 new jobs in the Kingsport area.

Landscape Timber Ideas for a Natural Appearance
Are you looking for natural hardscape materials to add structure or a framework for your landscaping projects? Consider wood. Naturally sustainable, wood is a versatile material with a small carbon footprint compared to other materials like concrete, stone, and metal. Whether restoring a garden area or starting a new project, timber is an excellent choice that adds beauty, warmth, and endless options to hardscape designs. Here are some of our favorite landscape features that are ideal for using wood:
11.08.2022

Top 10 Uses For Wood in Landscape Designs
1. Edging and Borders: define a garden bed or mark a path or walkway with wood timbers, so the plants, flowers, and trees will stand out and not compete with the border material. If using wood timbers for raised beds, consider a vertical design or stack horizontally to prevent erosion. Use stainless steel connectors to keep pieces aligned, especially for angles.
2. Retaining Wall: a wood retaining wall is a perfect way to blend in naturally, mainly if the wall is a focal point or a large part of a small space.
3. Steps: for graded or steep spaces, add wood steps into the landscape for a graded and easy way to make the trek uphill.
4. Decking: the most common decking material in North America is wood, and there’s nothing like natural wood under bare feet.

5. Pergolas and Gazebos: a covered space, like a pergola or gazebo, offers respite from warm days — even rainy days — and can offer an anchored space or focal point to a design.
6. Play Structures: design play structures for the little ones that are not only fun but beautiful using wood. Not just any wood. Wood that is free of toxic chemicals for peace of mind.
7. Bridges: water features add to the landscape’s design and offer tranquility to the end user. Adding an accent feature like a wooden bridge is an excellent finishing touch.
8. Planters: wooden planters — free-standing to window boxes — are great for space-challenged areas or for an added design feature to highlight trees and plants.
9. Outdoor Furniture: A recent article by Houzz notes that wood is the “go-to option for outdoor furniture” because “it is long-lasting” and can “handle different weather conditions.”
Specify Accoya wood in your next landscape designs. Our modification process gives Accoya unrivaled durability and resistance to rot, making it perfect for demanding exterior and in-ground landscape applications. Non-Toxic, Accoya offers an unmatched 50-year warranty for above ground applications and 25 years below ground or in fresh water. Find out more about the benefits of Accoya wood.

High Performance Wood: Top 5 questions about Accoya Wood
11.08.2022

Since the Stone Age, wood has been a primary and preferred building material. Even as other materials were introduced, wood remains an essential and viable building material. Wood is also one of the most sustainable materials. Although it is susceptible to degradation if not treated to endure long-term exposure risks — like harsh climate conditions and attacks by insects and fungus — modern times have brought new and advanced technologies for wood preservation.
These advanced wood technologies are considered new to an age-old industry, many of which have been on the commercial market for the last 15 years, like Accoya high performance wood. Now, 15 years may seem like a short time, but their technology, in some cases, has been researched for more than 100 years yet only recently commercialized.
Accoya Acetylated Wood contains the same constituents as natural wood with enhanced levels. So, it is not uncommon for our team of experts to field questions regarding Accoya wood. Here, we’ve listed the top five questions and answers:

1. What is acetylation?
Wood naturally contains some acetyl groups (that repel water) and a lot of free hydroxyl groups (attract water). Hydroxyls cause wood to swell when wet and shrink when it dries, making it attractive to biological organisms (insects and fungus).
Our process uses acetic anhydride — essentially strong vinegar — to boost the wood’s acetyl content (repel water), essentially replacing the hydroxyl groups, meaning water is no longer an issue. Accoya’s shrink and swell cycle is significantly reduced thereby making it an attractive wood alternative for a variety uses. Nothing is added to the wood that wasn’t already there; we are enhancing what is already there. What’s even better? It is naturally non-toxic making it safe for families, pets, and the planet.
The byproduct of the process, acetic acid, is part of the circular economy, used in other applications, and even turned back into acetic anhydride, offering a closed loop cycle.

2. Is Accoya wood real wood? The short answer is yes.
Accoya wood is real wood. It is sourced from fast-growing, abundantly available, sustainably FSC certified forests that match or exceed other man-made, intensely resource-depleting, and heavy carbon-polluting alternatives. Not only that, but it is one of the few building materials awarded Cradle to Cradle Certified® Gold, meaning our supply chain, production processes, and procedures have been examined and scored highly on categories including Material Health (Platinum), Water Stewardship (Platinum), Material Reutilization (Gold), and Renewable Energy & Carbon Management (Gold), and Social Fairness (Gold). Find out more about Accoya’s sustainability credentials.

3. Where does Accoya wood come from?
Since 2007, we’ve manufactured Accoya wood from our original Arnhem, the Netherlands facility. The facility supplied the European market for several years with two reactors, and as the Accoya brand developed, it grew to four reactors to keep pace with demand. In early 2022, we announced a joint venture with Eastman Chemical to build a manufacturing facility in the U.S. The appetite for new and innovative wood technologies has created a demand for Accoya in the North American market.

4. Where can Accoya be used?
Because of its unique properties to withstand even the harshest climates, it is widely used for exterior applications like windows (bays, casement, sash, and shutters) and doors (entry, French, bi-fold, and garage), decking (pool, rooftop, stairs), and siding. Accoya is increasing in popularity among landscape architects for use as landscape timbers, sculptures, playground structures, and furniture because it is rot and water-resistant, durable, and carries a 50-year above ground and 25-year below ground or freshwater applications. It is easy to machine, saw, plane, and sand like normal wood.
Because it is a small movement wood product (less shrink and swell), it is stable offering smaller gaps and an even surface that will stay smoother for longer than most wood products. It also remains cool in hot weather and is less prone to splinters making it an ideal wood product for decking.

5. Where do you buy Accoya wood?
Accoya is available through a network of approved distributors across the country (and worldwide) to support the route to market that includes manufacturers of final products, woodworking professionals, suppliers, specifiers, builders, contractors, and the end-user. We also offer an Approved Manufacturer’s Program that will train professionals to use Accoya to make a finished product.
To find a distributor near you, visit our where to buy page to search.
Do you have a burning question you’d like answered about Accoya? Drop us a note, and we’ll include it in our next top questions blog.

Decks That Impress: 4 Reasons to Choose Real Wood Decking by HOUZZ
Looking to refresh your outdoor area? Find out why a natural wood deck is the best place to start
10.10.2022

When it comes to enhancing your outdoor space, it’s hard to beat a beautiful deck. If you’re considering one, you’ve got some decisions to make since decks come in all sizes, shapes and materials. Whether you’re looking to extend your living space with a back deck, enhance the lounge area around your pool, add a roof deck for relaxing or install a durable dock, here are four compelling reasons to opt for real wood as your decking material.

1. Natural Beauty
For warmth and natural appeal, nothing compares with real wood as a decking material. With its beautiful texture and rich tones, wood’s authentic look oozes rustic charm and instantly elevates your outdoor entertaining space. What’s even better? If you’re after a more modern, on-trend look, you can reap the benefits of real wood with an extra touch of style thanks to pre-greyed decking boards.
Real wood is practical as well. It’s incredibly durable and able to stand up to the elements, regardless of the climate. And it feels wonderful to walk on, being warmer underfoot in winter and cooler in summer than other outdoor materials such as concrete, pavers and composite decking. Not only that, but the right wood is resistant to cracks and splinters, so it’s barefoot-friendly and still feels smooth over time.
Love the idea of real wood decking but concerned about the upkeep? You needn’t be — there are innovative new products on the market that give you all the beauty of real wood with none of the drawbacks. High-performance acetylated wood decking, which is made from quick-growing, responsibly sourced pine, boasts the good looks of tropical hardwood in a rot- and crack-resistant material that requires practically zero maintenance.

2. Stands Up to Its Surroundings
Whether you’re building a pool deck, a rooftop deck or a dock, real wood can be a durable choice, effective against rot and decay even when in contact with water. But it’s important to select the right type of wood: Pine and western red cedar are popular choices for wet areas like poolside areas and hot tubs. However, untreated wood can splinter (not ideal for those barefoot summer days by the water) and require regular upkeep to maintain its appearance.
Acetylated wood, on the other hand, is an extremely hard-wearing and easy-care alternative. It doesn’t require any coating and it resists rot, splintering and insect attacks, even in water. And unlike many other types of wood, it offers exceptional dimensional stability, which means the boards won’t visibly shrink or swell when subjected to rain, sun, heat and cold, so they’ll retain their smooth, tailored appearance for decades. Acetylated wood outlasts many other types of wood by decades, with manufacturers providing a 25-year in-ground or freshwater warranty and a 50-year above-ground warranty.

3. Ages Beautifully
Unlike synthetic decking materials, genuine wood decking ages gracefully over time, acquiring a beautiful silvery grey patina that adds style and depth to your outdoor area. If you’d prefer not to wait around for the natural aging process to occur, you can purchase pre-greyed decking boards that are dyed all the way through from the surface to the core. Because of the sophisticated non-toxic dyeing process, there’s no need for repeated painting or recoating to maintain the wood’s good looks. The grey color remains long-term, with no need for re-oiling. (It also means that scratches and scrapes won’t be visible.)
Pre-greyed wood decking is an increasingly popular choice for designers and homeowners who are drawn to its sophisticated look and feel and the fact that it allows for a seamless connection with concrete or grey-tiled interior floors. Grey wood also sits beautifully alongside other popular exterior materials such as brick, slate and stone to create a warm and appealing outdoor palette.

4. Sustainably Sourced
Responsibly sourced and manufactured wood decking is an environmentally friendly material so it’s better for the health of your family and Earth. If you’re interested in going green, look for real wood with FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) certification for proof of sustainability. You’ll also want to check that it has been manufactured cleanly, without the use of toxic chemicals. One indication? Cradle to Cradle Gold (C2C Gold) certification, a globally recognized measure of a safer, more sustainable product.
More: To discover Accoya’s selection of high-performance, real wood decking options, visit the company’s website.
This story was written by the Houzz Sponsored Content team.

What to expect with uncoated Accoya
05.20.2022

Accoya weathering
Wood is an organic material, and it changes over time as it reacts with the sun and the rain, developing new colors and textures: a process known as weathering.
Accoya, as a natural wood product, is no different
Like other wood species, uncoated Accoya wood will weather over time to an elegant slivery grey color when left outside and exposed to the elements.
Unlike other woods however, weathering does not affect the durability, stability or performance of Accoya.
During the weathering transition process the surface color of Accoya can appear patchy due to the different levels of sunlight and rain coming into contact with the wood, but over time it evens out to a beautiful silvery grey effect that lasts for decades to come.
Because Accoya has such great dimensional stability, coatings are not so stressed by shrinking and swelling forces that affect all other types of wood – meaning they last and look better for longer. For certain applications such as windows it is industry standard for frames to be coated to protect the other parts of the window fittings and mechanisms.


How Long Do Wood Decks Last?
According to Washington D.C. based consulting firm Webb Analytics, roughly one-quarter of US homes have at least one deck on their property, with wood products making up nearly 77% of all the decking materials used today. That’s a lot of lumber! It also demonstrates just how this most beautiful and natural of materials has captured our imagination (and our wallets and purses).
05.04.2022

A question that comes up on a regular basis is how long do wood decks lasts and linked to this question is the cost of maintenance and what part sustainability plays.
So, this blog is dedicated to how long you can expect your wood deck to last and also how Accoya® Color can give you great value for money and peace of mind. In addition to Accoya we will look at the two main types of wood that are used for decking, that is, softwoods and hardwoods.

Why don’t wood decks last forever?
In one word, ‘biology’. We’re talking about natural wood decking here in this blog, not plastic composite materials. As wood is an organic product, it will be subject to the same laws of nature as everything else that’s natural. All wood rots and decays in time – this process can be put off through treatment but it’s true to say that the softer the wood, the faster it will decay and break down. The lumber that is used for installations becomes food for insects such as termites and also for fungi. The mold that we see on old wood is the by-product of fungi feeding off our property! This mold can in time weaken the structure and some types of allergenic mold can be unhealthy with allergic reactions and asthma being triggered in some cases.
Another issue that has to be factored in is ‘weathering’ – all timber silvers down in time as the sun’s UV rays take an effect and although this is often a cosmetic issue it needs to be considered in overall maintenance.
Durability is the key here – that is, how tough the wood is and how much it resists the attention paid to it by insects such as termites and by fungi.

What is the maintenance needed?
It all depends on the type of wood being installed and how rigorously the maintenance schedule is followed (even the best-intentioned homeowner can fall behind in maintenance). The average lifespan of a wood deck is between 10 to 15 years, but this will vary with regards to the type of wood used. Softwoods such as cedar and redwoods won’t last as long and should be pressure treated first. Hardwoods such as Ipe and mahogany are more expensive because they grow slower than softwoods and they are denser – their durability is naturally increased (but many hardwoods such as Ipe are now considered unsustainable from over use).
Typical maintenance activities include regular inspection of the surface and substructure, looking for joist issues or excess moisture. Regular sweeping of the surface and cleaning with a deck cleaning solution to kill mold and bacteria is recommended. Sanding is also sometimes needed.

Is there a natural wood product that takes away this pain for me?
Yes, it’s called Accoya® Color and this natural timber is supplied with a warranty against rot and decay! If you love a real wood deck, then Accoya is for you. It’s made from highly sustainable FSC®-sourced timber that starts out life as a fast-growing softwood and is then modified using a unique patented process called acetylation that turns the wood into Accoya. This is the ultimate in environmentally friendly timber as the material is 100% organic wood and all of it can be recycled at the end of its very long life.
Accoya Color is supplied in a beautiful grey color that comes from a non-toxic color pigment that has been examined by The Danish Technological Institute that confirms no toxic elements are used. The coloring goes all the way through the wood and there is no need for a surface coating which is a real bonus for homeowners who are time-poor.

Accoya Color is supplied with a warranty against rot and decay, even in-ground installations. This means that the timber is ideal for humid locations such as swimming pool surrounds. Accoya timber has been used for years without any rot and so is ideal for decking too.
It’s also ready to use ‘straight out of the box’ which means no expensive pre-installation treatments against termites or mold and very little need for annual maintenance programs (apart from the usual sweeping up of leaf litter, etc). As it’s a low maintenance deck material, it means that homeowners have peace of mind as to lower costs after installation and a reassuring lack of chemical treatments needed to keep it looking pristine.
Low maintenance, highly sustainable and long-lasting…Accoya Color definitely takes the pain away.
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.

What is the Most Sustainable Decking Material?
We’re exploring the critical issue of what is the most sustainable decking material on the market. This topic is now front and center for everyone when they choose their building materials and we’ll talk about the most sustainable decking timber choice of all, the natural Accoya® Color wood.
05.04.2022

Everyone loves the look and feel of a real wooden deck on their property.
Let’s face it, when talking real estate, nothing beats a beautiful outdoor deck in your yard. A professionally installed and properly maintained wooden deck can add real emotional and financial value to your property. The same is true of the wooden decks that are found in corporate settings, where ‘biophilic designs’ bring nature into our working lives, improving our wellbeing and (it’s claimed) our productivity.
Learn more about biophilic designs.

Once upon a time…
Decks throughout the US come in many forms, backyard, front porch, docks leading down to the river and so on. Redwood, Cedar and Ipe have been the traditional woods used in deck construction for hundreds of years. But, the first two require periodic treatment to seal and protect against moisture and of course the use of Ipe is now frowned upon due to potential illegal logging practices. Until recently, there was little thought given as to what we now call the ‘provenance’ or source of the timber and also the long-term sustainability of this precious decking material.
The devastation of deforestation
Without getting too pessimistic, it’s worth noting that the clearing of tropical rainforests is still happening at an alarming rate, despite the best endeavors of governments around the world. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN estimates that the world has lost a billion acres of forest since 1990, mostly in Africa and South America. The Amazon Conservation group reports that destruction rose by 21 percent in 2020. Much of this unregulated illegal activity may find its way into the back yards of innocent consumers.
Read more here on deforestation.

So, what is the most sustainable timber for decking?
Thankfully, we live in different and more enlightened times and these days virtually all construction materials come under the eco-spotlight from regulators, architects, installers and of course domestic dwellers who pay the bills. Talking of consumers, it’s people like you who are taking the lead in interrogating the eco-credentials of building materials (especially when thinking of selling your property in the future). Sustainable decking material is the way to go.
We’re discounting wood-plastic composite decking materials here because, as their name implies, they contain plastic elements and so our focus is on real wood. Many of the hardwoods that have been used in decking for so long take decades to grow slowly in tropical climes (sometimes eighty or ninety years) and it’s very difficult for them to be replaced; when they are cut down there is a huge corresponding loss in biodiversity in the forest around them. Most, if not all softwoods are not suitable on their own as they’re not durable enough, they require treatment to prevent premature rot and decay.
Ideally, consumers and timber installers in the US need a beautiful, natural timber that grows very fast and quickly in managed sustainable plantations. This needs to be an eco-friendly timber with impeccable credentials that is both legal and ethical. Oh, and it helps if it comes with a 25-year warranty against rot and decay, even in water, and is grey-colored all the way through to the core!

Accoya Color to the rescue
Accoya Color is ideal for timber decking projects in the US. Unlike slow-grown hardwoods it is sourced from sustainably sourced softwood that is FSC® certified with 100% proof of provenance. This natural softwood is then modified using our famous patented acetylation process that results in Accoya wood – in this decking product it is also now colored a beautiful grey through to the core…Accoya® Color. To achieve this, after acetylation, the newly modified timber goes through an extra dyeing process in a purpose-built facility using organic non-toxic color pigment.
Important elements for wooden decking are the durability of the material and the degree of maintenance required after installation, most of which involve chemical treatments of some kind or other. Accoya Color is just like its traditional Accoya stablemate in that it’s very low maintenance. There is no need for additional coatings (although it coats very well) and its grey color anticipates the natural silvering of wood when exposed to weathering over the years.
As Accoya Color comes with a warranty against rot and decay, even when installed in ground (a unique feature), it results in an eco-friendly timber that lasts for decades and consequently locks away carbon too. These wooden decks are 100% recyclable too after their decking life, further increasing their sustainable street-cred.
Accoya Color is available to buy in the US from a range of our official lumberyard partners that can be found on the link below.
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.

10 great examples of Japanese burnt wood siding (Shou Sugi Ban)
If you’re looking for a siding material that creates a distinctive texture but one that’s also visually striking and adds a unique character to the exterior, look no further than Japanese burnt wood siding, also known as Shou Sugi Ban.
04.05.2022
KINGSPORT, Tenn., December 9, 2022—
Accoya USA LLC, broke ground on its U.S. manufacturing facility in June and is on track to begin manufacturing Accoya, the ultra- high performance sustainable wood, in early 2024. The plant is a joint venture between Accsys, the only acetylated wood producer in the world, and Eastman a global specialty materials company. As part of the joint venture, Accsys leverages Eastman’s world-class acetyl production capabilities to produce its Accoya wood products.
North America represents the largest potential regional market for Accoya, and the new plant will ensure a ready supply of Accoya to the U.S. market.
“Our sales in North America grew 44% between our fiscal 2021 and 2022 years and we are seeing continued strong demand for Accoya,” said John Alexander, group sales director, at Accsys. “Once operational, the Kingsport site will double our Accoya 2022 production volumes.”

What is the best timber to use for decking?
A real wooden deck, expertly laid by professionals, is one of life’s joys to see and touch, especially in bare feet on a hot summer day. Who doesn’t love the thought of family and friends enjoying an impromptu gathering around an outdoor table, who knows, perhaps creating memories for life? So, what is the best timber to use for decking and why? In this blog we’ll look at various options and introduce you to our new high grade timber for decking with a beautiful built-in grey that we call Accoya® Color.
03.21.2022

How to choose decking?
When laying down or replacing a deck there are many options for the professional builder or homeowner to consider such as the deck board material to use, color, coatings, weathering, plus of course safety concerns such as possible slips and splinters. This is a big endeavor and likely to cost money and effort, so it pays to do your homework.
Sometimes there are too many choices in life, and this is especially true when you are looking to create or replace your deck. What material to choose, what color stain, if any, and perhaps considering other types of coatings too. So let’s narrow down the choices straight away by taking out the composite ‘wood’ decks that usually feature a mix of wood and plastic materials. These may last a long time, but nothing beats a natural real wood deck. So, in relation to wood decking, one of the major choice factors is durability, how long your chosen wood will last out in the open before rotting or decaying.

So, what is the best timber to use for decking and why?
There are three types of wood suitable for decking:
- hardwoods,
- treated softwoods
- modified wood (e.g. Accoya)
The Timber Decking & Cladding Association recommends that only timber that will last a minimum of 15 years be used for your deck (15 years would be a good return on your investment). Hardwoods that are classed as ‘very durable’ are popular. There are also some softwoods that can be used but they have to be pressure treated to reach that high grade. The last category includes Accoya of course – an award-winning product that starts out life as a sustainable softwood and is then modified to last for decades.
Another choice factor is maintenance. All real wood will weather in time if left outside and there can be issues such as splits and cupping as well, especially in harsher hot climates. It makes good financial sense to choose a low maintenance timber if possible (you don’t want to have to replace individual boards that fail).
Additionally, the sustainability of your chosen wood has now become one of the major factors, with good reason. Tropical hardwoods, although beautiful to see and touch, are increasingly being discounted for legal and ethical reasons. Which leads us to a beautiful, highly durable and very sustainable alternative…
Introducing Accoya Color
Accoya boards have been used for wood decking for years to great acclaim – let’s face it, thousands of architects, builders and landscape designers around the world can’t all be wrong! The boards combine the beauty of real wood with scientifically-proven durability that will last for years. Due to its incredible ability to withstand rot and decay, even in water, Accoya has become the standout choice for decking timber projects.
There is now a new addition to the Accoya family, Accoya Color, which has all the advantages of our traditional modified timber but with a beautiful and consistent grey color all the way through to the core. Accoya Color has gone through a patented color impregnation and fixation process at the dedicated Accsys Accoya Color plant.

Keeping it real
Accoya Color is a natural wood with ultra-high performance and boasts excellent dimensional stability (it’s classified as a small movement timber and that’s ideal for deck projects). It is barefoot-friendly, which means that you and your family can safely walk on the boards without the fear of splinters. It is not only easy to install, but requires very little maintenance throughout its lifespan.
Its beautiful grey color goes all the way through the wood; a great feature is that the deck boards are straighter and easier to fix than alternative wood deck boards which means less waste during the build stage. There is also no cupping which can be a problem in other types of wood…when that happens individual boards have to be taken up and replaced, usually at great cost, but this isn’t an issue with Accoya Color.
Although Accoya Color is durable, it is also lighter in weight than alternative woods such as Ipe and even composite materials.
Keeping it green (or grey actually!)
Unlike deck boards that come from illegally cut hardwoods, Accoya Color is made from sustainably-sourced forestry and the wood is guaranteed, for extra peace of mind. The long product life also means that the naturally-occurring carbon within the wood is retained within the product for the duration of its lifecycle. An organic and non-toxic grey color pigment is used for the coloring process so Accoya Color wood is also 100% recyclable at the end of its life.
Where to buy
Accoya Color is available to buy in the US from a range of our official distribution partners that can be found here.

Accoya® wins Product Innovation Award
Architectural Products Magazine
02.10.2022

Architectural Products
Accoya Wood featured in Architectural Products Magazine
Product Innovation Award Winner
We are excited to announce that Accoya was awarded a Product Innovation Award in the Architectural Products Magazine. Accoya was chosen thanks to its performance and sustainability credentials, one Judge commenting:
“Accoya is a transformative product making wood a resilient product, while being sensitive to sustainable harvesting”
Accoya is featured on page 52 in the November/December 2021 issue and an article on their website. This magazine is the leading product magazine of the U.S. architectural market, giving readers a thumbnail look at products, materials, systems and applications available for specification into commercial and institutional design work.


How To Select Low Maintenance Wood SIding For Your Home by HOUZZ
Enhance the look of your home with high-performing, modified and responsibly sourced wood siding
12.20.2021

When it comes to boosting your home’s curb appeal, great-looking siding is hard to beat. Wood is one of the most popular options, and for good reason. It adds warmth and natural appeal to your exterior and sits beautifully alongside other materials such as concrete and steel. While regular wood siding typically requires regular upkeep to maintain its appearance, acetylated wood offers an easy-care, highly durable alternative.
Read on to discover more about this siding material that’s gaining traction among architects, designers and homeowners alike.

The Natural Appeal of Wood
There are several products on the market that re-create the look of wood siding, but none capture the warmth and natural beauty of the real thing. Vinyl wood-look siding is a low-cost option, but being a look-alike plastic product, it will never give you the truly authentic appearance or texture of genuine wood. It also has a tendency to bend or crack in cold weather if subjected to impact, and it can conceal moisture issues in your home, which can potentially lead to dangerous mold growth. Engineered wood is relatively easy to install, but it doesn’t perform as well as tropical hardwood in an exposed setting, and it can swell if exposed to water for long periods.
Accoya’s modified wood siding, which is made from quick-growing, responsibly harvested pine, is an appealing alternative. It offers the stunning good looks of tropical hardwood (including increasingly rare species) while being more sustainable and outperforming even the most durable of woods, so you can create a healthier and more eco-friendly home for your family.

“Accoya is a modified wood that aims to overcome the shortcomings of standard timber,” says Jocelyn Mahan, marketing manager at reSAWN Timber. “The modification process enhances the performance of the wood, resulting in improved longevity. Accoya is modified by a process called acetylation, a cutting-edge, patented technology that enables it to resist rot, defy the elements and stay strong for decades.”
This residence (Six Square House) in Bridgehampton, New York, features charred Accoya Ikigai wood siding, burnt in the ancient Japanese style of shou sugi ban, which gives the exterior a uniquely textured, charcoal-like appearance while enhancing its performance and minimizing upkeep.

Low Maintenance
While standard wood siding requires annual maintenance, acetylated wood does not. Accoya wood siding offers superior durability and stability, which means it can cope with the toughest climatic conditions with minimal maintenance. It won’t visibly swell, shrink or distort, even in traditionally problematic spots such as around windows.
Coated finishes not only look beautiful on Accoya, but they last longer than on other surfaces, another reason why designers and architects love it.
The beautifully weathered facade on this lakeside home in Okoboji, Iowa, was created using Accoya Nigiri shou sugi ban wood siding. It blends in seamlessly with the landscape and speaks to the current trend toward natural, sustainable design. It will require very little maintenance to maintain its stunning good looks over its lifetime.

Durability
Siding is a major, long-term investment in your home, so the material you choose needs to be able to stand up to whatever your environment throws at it — now and for decades to come. Accoya siding is resistant to rot, decay and insect damage (including termites). It’s a cost-effective choice for lasting performance. “It’s guaranteed for 50 years above ground and 25 years in ground or fresh water — its performance and properties are remarkable,” Mahan says.
Exposed to heat, humidity and rain, this waterfront home in White Stone, Virginia, is subject to more weather extremes than most, so a high-performance siding material was a must. The material also needed to create a warm, organic feel that complemented the home’s natural setting. Accoya Nigiri wood siding was chosen (alongside charred cypress) for its superior durability and earthy, coastal feel.

Environmentally Responsible
When you’re building or remodeling your home, you want to know that the materials you choose are good for the occupants and kind to the environment. Accoya wood is fully sustainable — it’s responsibly sourced and harvested from certified sustainable forests, with every panel having FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) certification.
It’s also 100% nontoxic and contains no harmful chemicals, so you can breathe easy. The acetylation process of Accoya wood doesn’t add chemicals, which means the material is fully biodegradable at the end of its life cycle. “Accoya can be safely used, reused, recycled and incinerated,” Mahan says. “It also traps carbon for its full life cycle — it’s really sustainable.”
Accoya acetylated wood siding, windows and doors are also naturally insulating, which means they’ll help keep your home warmer in winter and cooler in summer, lowering your energy costs.

Design Freedom
Siding presents a unique opportunity to get creative with the look of your exterior and wow visitors from the moment they pull up to your home. To achieve this, you’ll need a siding material that offers plenty of design flexibility.
Accoya comes in different board widths and finishes so you can easily mix up the look — and you can install them vertically, horizontally or even in patterns. It’s dimensionally stable so joints stay smooth for a tailored look. Add a colored coating, leave your Accoya wood untreated so it weathers naturally, or opt for the designer favorite seen in the home here: charred shou sugi ban. You can also combine it with other materials such as brick, steel, concrete or stone to create an eye-catching, layered look that you’ll appreciate every time you come home.
More: Learn more about Accoya’s range of long-life acetylated wood products by visiting our homepage here.
This story was written by the Houzz Sponsored Content team.

Decks That Impress: 4 Reasons to Choose Real Wood Decking by HOUZZ
Looking to refresh your outdoor area? Find out why a natural wood deck is the best place to start
12.20.2021

When it comes to enhancing your outdoor space, it’s hard to beat a beautiful deck. If you’re considering one, you’ve got some decisions to make since decks come in all sizes, shapes and materials. Whether you’re looking to extend your living space with a back deck, enhance the lounge area around your pool, add a roof deck for relaxing or install a durable dock, here are four compelling reasons to opt for real wood as your decking material.

1. Natural Beauty
For warmth and natural appeal, nothing compares with real wood as a decking material. With its beautiful texture and rich tones, wood’s authentic look oozes rustic charm and instantly elevates your outdoor entertaining space. What’s even better? If you’re after a more modern, on-trend look, you can reap the benefits of real wood with an extra touch of style thanks to pre-greyed decking boards.
Real wood is practical as well. It’s incredibly durable and able to stand up to the elements, regardless of the climate. And it feels wonderful to walk on, being warmer underfoot in winter and cooler in summer than other outdoor materials such as concrete, pavers and composite decking. Not only that, but the right wood is resistant to cracks and splinters, so it’s barefoot-friendly and still feels smooth over time.
Love the idea of real wood decking but concerned about the upkeep? You needn’t be — there are innovative new products on the market that give you all the beauty of real wood with none of the drawbacks. High-performance acetylated wood decking, which is made from quick-growing, responsibly sourced pine, boasts the good looks of tropical hardwood in a rot- and crack-resistant material that requires practically zero maintenance.

2. Stands Up to Its Surroundings
Whether you’re building a pool deck, a rooftop deck or a dock, real wood can be a durable choice, effective against rot and decay even when in contact with water. But it’s important to select the right type of wood: Pine and western red cedar are popular choices for wet areas like poolside areas and hot tubs. However, untreated wood can splinter (not ideal for those barefoot summer days by the water) and require regular upkeep to maintain its appearance.
Acetylated wood, on the other hand, is an extremely hard-wearing and easy-care alternative. It doesn’t require any coating and it resists rot, splintering and insect attacks, even in water. And unlike many other types of wood, it offers exceptional dimensional stability, which means the boards won’t visibly shrink or swell when subjected to rain, sun, heat and cold, so they’ll retain their smooth, tailored appearance for decades. Acetylated wood outlasts many other types of wood by decades, with manufacturers providing a 25-year in-ground or freshwater warranty and a 50-year above-ground warranty.

3. Ages Beautifully
Unlike synthetic decking materials, genuine wood decking ages gracefully over time, acquiring a beautiful silvery grey patina that adds style and depth to your outdoor area. If you’d prefer not to wait around for the natural aging process to occur, you can purchase pre-greyed decking boards that are dyed all the way through from the surface to the core. Because of the sophisticated non-toxic dyeing process, there’s no need for repeated painting or recoating to maintain the wood’s good looks. The grey color remains long-term, with no need for re-oiling. (It also means that scratches and scrapes won’t be visible.)
Pre-greyed wood decking is an increasingly popular choice for designers and homeowners who are drawn to its sophisticated look and feel and the fact that it allows for a seamless connection with concrete or grey-tiled interior floors. Grey wood also sits beautifully alongside other popular exterior materials such as brick, slate and stone to create a warm and appealing outdoor palette.

4. Sustainably Sourced
Responsibly sourced and manufactured wood decking is an environmentally friendly material so it’s better for the health of your family and Earth. If you’re interested in going green, look for real wood with FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) certification for proof of sustainability. You’ll also want to check that it has been manufactured cleanly, without the use of toxic chemicals. One indication? Cradle to Cradle Gold (C2C Gold) certification, a globally recognized measure of a safer, more sustainable product.
More: To discover Accoya’s selection of high-performance, real wood decking options, visit the company’s website.
This story was written by the Houzz Sponsored Content team.

4. Focus on Natural Materials
As the saying goes, less is more. Choosing one “hero” natural material and using it in different ways across your home’s exterior can be a subtle, but very effective, way to bring cohesion to your home’s design. To create an uninterrupted sense of flow, you could carry the material through to the interior of your home or to any outbuildings.
The key to success when using a single natural material is to be creative with how you apply it. This award-winning boathouse (The Haven) in Norfolk, England, has been given light-tone Accoya wood cladding, decking and curved screening. As the property is surrounded by water on three sides, the architects selected Accoya wood for its water-resistant properties and dimensional stability, as well as its stunning natural looks and sustainability. The result is a graceful home that sits lightly in its tranquil coastal setting.

5. Play Up Textures
Natural appeal aside, wood cladding gives you endlessly creative ways to express your personal style. Take this three-story office building designed and occupied by architectural firm Dillon Kyle Architects in Houston, for example. It’s clad in 2,500 Accoya boards that have an abstract leaf-like pattern carved into the wood. The pattern references the oak trees that line the neighborhood, and it adds not just texture and softness to the modern structure but a unique personal touch.
“The Accoya wood boards are unsealed and allowed to weather over time,” says Peter Klein, associate principal architect at Dillon Kyle Architects. “The idea was to use a material where you couldn’t tell where the patterns started and stopped — just one big continuous object.”
As the wood siding would play a pivotal role in the look and performance of the building, the firm took their time choosing the right one. “Even left untreated, it didn’t warp or mildew or mold, and that let us know we were on the right path,” Klein says. “The neutral gray tones coupled with its long-term durability, resistance to rot and insects made Accoya wood the ideal material for this project.”

6. Go Skinny
Add texture and depth to your home’s exterior with narrow boards for siding, louvers and screening.
For this luxury apartment block (Blackwood Street Apts) in Melbourne, Australia, the architect specified 40-by-40-millimeter Accoya wood boards with a coat of Woca Exterior Walnut Oil for the louvers and screening in the alfresco areas. The oiled boards create a soft and inviting feel while bringing a sense of intimacy to the apartment complex.
The rest of the detailing in this spot, including hardware and pavers, was deliberately pared back to keep the focus firmly on the textural wood.

Running slender boards vertically, as the architect has done here, is a clever design technique for making a low roof or ceiling appear higher. You can use this strategy both outside your home with wood siding and inside with wood wall lining.
If room height is not a concern, consider mixing vertical and horizontal patterns for added texture and interest inside or outside your home.
More: Learn more about Accoya’s range of sustainable, acetylated wood products by visiting our homepage here.
This story was written by the Houzz Sponsored Content team.

Accoya Siding Projects in Aspen, Colorado
Watch the video above to travel around Aspen, Colorado, and visit some beautiful Accoya wood projects from Accoya Approved Manufacturer Delta Millworks.
Matt Risinger, host of The Build Show, tours some amazing completed projects, including Accoya siding for the Starwood Fire Station and Kiva Residence. Risinger also visits some projects still in-progress and gives you an inside look at the installation process. Accoya was chosen for its warranty and ability to perform well in ever-changing Colorado climate. Each project demonstrates different ways to finish Accoya wood for siding. Follow along as Risinger takes you on a trip that will surely spark inspiration and ideas for your next building project.
- Kiva Residence | Aspen, CO (Video – 1:16)
The Accoya wood used in the Kiva Residence is finished with a shou-sugi-ban charred finished. Delta Millworks also labels this finish as Accoya Gator because of its unique subtle reptilian-like surface finish. This burned finish creates a thick layer of char on the surface of the board, which serves as a natural barrier to the sun.
Builder: Koru Ltd.
Architect: Zone 4 Architects
- Hotel Jerome | Aspen, CO (Video – 3:58)
Right in the heart of downtown Aspen lays this historic building. Hotel Jerome is one of the great hotels in the American West, listed on the National Register of Historic Places (1889). This project accomplished an ambitious renovation to honor this historic legacy.
Architect: Rowland Broughton
- Starwood Fire Station | Starwood, CO (Video – 6:30)
This rural fire station for the Starwood community in Colorado. The pre-stained Accoya siding was chosen because of its water resistance and ability to maintain its tone and texture over time. This project was completed 3 years ago and still, the Accoya siding remains very stable and reliable in this harsh exterior environment.
Builder: GF Woods Construction
Architect: Charles Cunniffe Architects
- 1940s Historic Log Cabin – House Addition | Aspen, CO (Video – 15:38)
This historic building is adding an addition to the house. The client chose Accoya wood for the siding because of its warranty and ability to withhold the harsh weather conditions in Colorado. The tone and texture of the wood also accomplished their vision for a modern but compatible style next to this historic log cabin building. The client used a custom colored 3-coat system finish by Delta Millworks.
Builder: Okeanos Construction
Architect: Charles Cunniffe Architects (Ashley Satterfield)
- Residential Home | Aspen, CO (Video – 25:20)
This modern residential home will use uncoated Accoya wood with tongue and groove paneling for its siding. Prior to building, this Accoya wood was stored on the roof of the Delta Millwork’s building for about 6-12 months to grey out in the sun. To learn more about the installation process for this project, go to 26:17 in the video above.
Builder: Hansen Construction
Architect: Zone 4 Architects

Olympics is here – but which is the most sustainable sporting stadium?
08.02.2021
Sustainable Sports Stadiums
The 2020 Olympics are now underway (in 2021), and sustainable buildings and stadiums are playing their own important roles in today’s world – superstars of a sustainable future! Forward-thinking design and building of these centres for human excellence is perhaps the ultimate way to raise awareness of the benefits and assets of future sustainable buildings, and the positive impacts they can bring not only to the environment but also to people.
Every four years usually sees more athletes performing as well as more people attending, and the contributing countries are feeling the pressure to build more sustainably: these are big investments as well as showcases of national policies and performance, and the buildings are almost as important as the sports being played – and last a lot longer than a 100m sprint! The need for more sustainable buildings is leading contractors to specify more sustainable options to promote sport in a sustainable environment. To fully understand why sustainable buildings and stadiums are so important, we need to look at the benefits and the reasoning behind them.

What are the benefits on building a sustainable stadium?
With the help of sustainable construction and the use of non-toxic materials, many future benefits are being realised. And here are just 5 of the great reasons why building sustainable stadiums promotes a healthier environment1:
- Water preservation: because a lot of water is needed in stadiums to water and prepare the real grass pitches, clean the venue or for sanitary reasons, water consumption in stadiums are very high. When considering how to reduce water consumption, green initiatives such as rainwater harvesting and recycling can be considered.
- Energy preservation: in order to reduce the use of energy, more and more stadiums are being made to conserve energy consumption, and even being equipped with solar and wind power to provide them with an alternative energy source.
- Low pollution: nowadays, more and more stadiums are built with healthier, more sustainably-sourced and recycled materials, such as wood, plastic and paper. With the help of using greener building materials that help fight global resource depletion, the amount of waste and pollution in the environment is reduced and the destructive impacts of construction are minimised.
- Financial benefits: by choosing greener and longer-lasting materials for stadiums, environmentally-friendly projects will be
cheaper in the long run when the maintenance and operation of the buildings are taken into account. Moreover, the value of the project can actually increase over time, while the costs of water, energy, maintenance and insurance premiums can decrease. - Reduced health risks to the community: using non-toxic materials can not only reduce health problems within the community, but also safety risks while stadia are constructed and in use for years after!
Sustainability in sports stadiums
So now that we are aware of the benefits of why it is important to focus on sustainable construction, let’s take a look at the current sport stadiums that have made it to the top of the list of most sustainable sports buildings in the world2.
Amsterdam ArenA, Netherlands
The ArenA, home to Ajax Football Club, is powered by more than 4,200 solar panels and even a wind turbine. The main facility of the Arena is equipped with an amazing energy-generating escalator, an energy storage system using recycled batteries and electric vehicles. And to complete the list, the stadium reuses rainwater by collecting it on the roof to water the pitch while reducing water consumption.
Mercedes-Benz Stadium, USA
By receiving platinum Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED) certification, a global standard for measuring the sustainability of buildings, the Mercedes-Benz professional sports stadium is one of the world’s most sustainable sports venues: it consumes 29% less energy, is equipped with LED lighting and there are around 4,000 solar panels on the roof as a contribution to a more sustainable environment. With its own storm water management system, the stadium can store up to 2 million gallons on site to prevent natural disasters and use 47% less water at the same time. Pedestrian-friendly paths allow supporters to reach the building safely and easily. The stadium even provides a bicycle valet program and electric vehicle charging.
Levi’s Stadium, USA
With not one but two LEED certifications, Levi’s Stadium is one of the most sustainable buildings in the city of San Francisco. The stadium has found a perfect way to highlight innovative sustainability elements by installing more than 1,000 solar elements, solar-powered pedestrian bridges, a solar-paneled terrace and a 27,000-square-metre roof. The stadium has implemented its own materials procurement programme, meeting strict sustainability criteria, and has been able to commit to local food sourcing. In 2018, the stadium promised to fight climate change, which was even recognised by the White House’s Science and Technology Policy Office.
Golden 1 Center, USA
By engaging fans in the message of climate action through their global sports platform and organising “sustainability nights”, the Golden 1 Center has put a lot of pressure on helping to build a more sustainable environment. With the use of 100% solar energy, a water conservation practice to reduce water consumption by 45% and recycling 99% of demolition materials, the stadium has certainly shown its effort to maintain a sustainable stadium. In 2017, the Golden 1 Center was even awarded the world’s greenest and most technologically advanced sports and entertainment facility, and according to Green Project Management, the stadium is among the top 3 percent of high-performance buildings worldwide.

Building a sustainable stadium
So now you have been introduced to world’s leading sustainable sporting stadiums, the real question is: How can you contribute to making a sustainable stadium?
As we know, many of the commonly used building materials are made of non-renewable resources, such as PVC or aluminium, which are finite, depleting resources, and often come with heavy energy and emissions costs. Every day, more and more pollution is released and CO2 is added to the surface air. However, our world can also provide us with raw materials that offer a long-term solution to both of these impacts: this material is wood, from well-managed and sustainable forests.
By specifying Accoya wood, you are already one step closer to helping build a more sustainable stadium by selecting it as your material for decking, cladding, windows and doors – frames or any other application. Accoya wood is sourced from fast growing trees and sustainably certified forests and offers many benefits to application-oriented industries around the world! Its high performance, unrivalled durability and sustainable credentials make it the perfect solution; a truly unique combination of qualities.
Thanks to our unique acetylation process, Accoya wood is highly resistant to decay – meaning it lasts and stores carbon for decades, making it a perfect alternative not only to carbon-intensive and resource-depleting materials, but also to slower-growing and unsustainably sourced hardwoods.
Just think about it. Who wouldn’t want beautiful installations from a material that has a longer lifespan while simultaneously increasing global carbon storage and providing us with a climate-proof alternative to concrete, metal and plastic, all for the sake of a more sustainable environment?
And don’t forget; you are opting for a premium product with exceptional stability that can easily last twice as long and require less upkeep than other alternatives – so in the long run the running costs can be much cheaper too.
Accoya wood may not be competing in the Olympics, but it has it’s very own Gold: Cradle to Cradle Certified™ Gold to be precise, marking it as the top performer in the building materials industry.
To give you some inspiration and ideas, let’s look at a couple of the few sustainable projects where Accoya has contributed to a more sustainable world by helping to build a greener sports stadium!

Velodrome
The renovated Omnisport building in the Netherlands, which not only hosts world championships but also local competitions and is a practice track for many future cyclists, was named the world’s first fully sustainable cycling track made of wood: the Velodrome. The Velodrome is the perfect place to watch the world cycling championships with the whole family, as the building has 5,000 seats, giving you the atmosphere as if you were cycling on the track during the race itself!
The building is something to be proud of and will be remembered not only for its exceptional design, performance and unparalleled durability, but also for all the medals it has won. In 2018, the track cycling world championships were held in the Omnisport building, which became the most successful global tournament ever for the Netherlands.
And when you come to think that the indoor Velodrome is breath-taking wait until you see the outdoor Velodrome; adding an extra touch to a cycle track for future cyclists.

Outdoor Velodrome
The outdoor velodrome, designed by Sander Douma Architects, was specified with Accoya wood for the 200m cycling track in Assen, the Netherlands, making it the perfect place for cyclists to train for their future cycling races while enjoying some fresh air.
The outdoor velodrome not only gives cyclists a feeling of freedom, but also creates benefits for the cyclists by giving them less resistance and more speed when cycling on the track. This is thanks to our unique modification process, which makes Accoya the perfect material for both internal and external applications of the sports stadium.
References
- Sports And Environment: Green Initiatives In Stadiums, online source: https://cascadiasport.com/sports-and-environment-green-initiatives-in-stadiums/ [access June 11, 2019]
-
The 5 most sustainable sports venues in the world, online source: https://www.climateaction.org/news/the-5-most-sustainable-sports-venues-in-the-world [access 04 January 2018]

10 Wood Deck Swimming Pools You Want to Experience This Summer
07.22.2021

Swimming pool wood deck design ideas
Wood swimming pool deck and pool surround for the perfect backyard retreat
There is nothing better than an Accoya swimming pool deckPool Decking. It’s perfect to cool down on a hot summer day and the ideal place to relax and forget the stress of a busy week. As we swim through the cool water, it’s like we are on vacation and all our worries feel far away. Ideally, sitting on the wooden pool surround while dangling our feet in the water.
Here are some of the best swimming pools with wood decking to get you dreaming this summer. And if you are looking to build your own swimming pool, let’s get inspired by some of the swimming pool deck design ideas…

Swimming pool wood deck designs
The advantages of wood swimming pool decks made from Accoya
Is Accoya the best wood for swimming pool decks?
Accoya wood is the ideal material to build wood swimming pool decks and pool surrounds, due to its high performance and unrivaled sustainability.
Choose natural wood and give your swimming pool decking a special charm; only genuine wood can deliver this authentic look and pleasant feel. In our backyard, we also only want to use environmentally friendly materials that are in harmony with nature.
Thanks to its exceptional performance benefits, especially when in contact with water, Accoya is ideal for swimming pool decks. Accoya decking and pool surrounds are very durable, low maintenance and resistant to rot and decay. Accoya wood decking and swimming pool surrounds come with a 25-year warranty, even when installed with direct contact to water.
You can also feel the benefits of Accoya decking: Accoya decking is very barefoot-friendly, as it will not noticeably crack or splinter even after decades. It also doesn’t get too hot in the sun and remains cool on your skin, perfect to spend hours lounging by the pool.
Here are 10 beautiful examples of Accoya wood swimming pool decks to be inspired by. Let’s take a plunge…

Swimming pool surrounded by wood decking
In this property in Nottwil, Switzerland, the swimming pool is surrounded by a beautiful Accoya wood deck, which achieves a very harmonic appearance. The wood swimming pool deck and pool surround was installed uncoated and therefore went through a natural weathering and graying process. The gray decking boards look beautiful in contrast with the blue water, especially in such a beautiful evening atmosphere, as in the photo.
The swimming pool deck was supplied by Herzog-Elmiger AG.

Swimming pool made out of Accoya wood
For this project, wood was not only used for the swimming pool deck but also the pool itself.
Natura specializes in swimming pools and whirlpools that are made entirely of wood. They use Accoya as the solid wood is durable and rot-proof, does not warp and comes with a warranty of 25 years even when immersed in water. Thanks to the high dimensional stability, Accoya can easily withstand high water pressure and ground movements. To ensure that the pool is watertight, Natura has developed a special membrane that is installed below the Accoya wood.

Natural pool surrounded by curvy wood decking
When building this natural pool, it was important to only use natural and environmentally friendly materials. Therefore, Accoya wood decking was used to build a pool surround along with various natural stones. The pool surround and wood swimming pool deck was designed in round shapes, to draw inspiration from natural shapes found in the outdoors. These tailor-made shapes were no problem for the manufacturer, as the brilliant machinability of Accoya mean it can be processed as desired. The Accoya swimming pool deck was installed without coating and will naturally weather and build a beautiful silver-gray patina over time.
This wood swimming pool deck and pool surround was installed by M. Hechenblaickner and its partners.
Photos: ©M. Hechenblaickner

Dark coated swimming pool wood deck design
In Israel, Accoya was used for the wood swimming pool deck, pool surround and an underwater platform to build this beautiful swimming pool.
Due to the high UV radiation in Israel, coated wood decking usually needs constant repainting. Due to its high dimensional stability, Accoya is resistant to deforming, splintering and cracking, which puts much less stress on the coating. Homeowners can therefore enjoy their coated decking for much longer before they need to repaint.
The Accoya warranty of 25 years includes applications that are immersed in water, which ensures that the underwater platform will last for decades.
A Blanchon oil was applied to the Accoya wood swimming pool deck boards. The underwater platform was left uncoated and will turn gray over time.

Accoya wood swimming pool deck in the Pyrenees
A wood swimming pool deck made of Accoya was installed in the French Pyrenees. The project was carried out by Gaius, who choose Accoya for their swimming pool wood deck designs, as they only work with materials that are highly sustainable and have a long service life.
This is a prime example of an idyllic garden retreat that can be built with wood swimming pool decks for inground pools.

Elegant wood swimming pool deck in Puglia
A beautiful Accoya wood swimming pool deck was built in a private residence in Puglia, Southern Italy. The private residence is part of the Trulli of Alberobello, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, which are very popular for tourist visiting the area.
The Accoya decking boards were wire brushed before installation, to achieve a textured distressed looking finish.
More information about the wood swimming pool deck, delivered by Kobel SRL, can be found in this swimming pool decking case study.

Versatile Accoya for wood swimming pool deck and pool surround
Example of creative wood swimming pool decks above ground designs
This wood swimming pool deck in Austria shows the versatility of Accoya, as it’s easy to coat and process to achieve creative swimming pool wood deck designs.
The natural wood was not only used for the swimming pool deck, but also the wooden pool surround. There is even some Accoya cladding on the above ground pool surround, which has two waterfalls embedded, for a special swimming pool deck design. The high humidity and regular contact with water are no problem for the wood decking and pool surround, as Accoya has a 25-year warranty even when installed with direct contact to water. The durable Accoya wood is highly water resistant, and should be chosen when looking for the best wood for a swimming pool deck.
More details about this wood swimming pool deck project from Austrian distributor M. Hechenblaickner can be found here:
photos: ©M. Hechenblaickner

Biarritz swimming pool and wood decking

Accoya swimming pool deck in Cannes
Accoya was chosen for the wood swimming pool deck and pool surround of the beautiful Villa Carat in Cannes.
Accoya wood was specified by Woodstone Project due to its exceptional performance: It’s very durable, stable, rot free and sustainable, all whilst adding the charm of natural solid wood. An essential benefit was also, that the swimming pool deck is barefoot friendly: Accoya remains cool even on the hottest day.
This wood swimming pool deck was installed using a Grad system, an Accoya partner since 2013. More details about this project can be found here.
photos: ©woodstone-project

Accoya wood swimming pool deck for Greek dream destination
Best wood for swimming pool deck
Inspiration for your Swimming pool wood deck design ideas
Projects
you may like

Natural pool decking Biarritz
Biarritz, france

Outdoor Swimming Pool
Schachen, switzerland

Villa Carat, Cannes
Cannes, france

Accoya decking tops the Swiss Alps
Gemmi Pass, Leukerbad, switzerland

Decking and pool surround Austria
Radkersburg, austria
Where to Buy
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