The Home Depot Fluted Thermal Wood Instruction Manual

The Home Depot Fluted Thermal Wood

Product Information

Specifications

• Product Name: ThermA Fluted
• Installation: Vertical or Horizontal
• Board Width: 5.25 inches
• Coverage: 5.0 inches

FAQ

• Q: How often should I re-oil/seal the product?
  • A: Re-oiling/sealing should be done approximately once a year, but frequency may vary based on environmental conditions.
• Q: What should I do if I notice dimensional distortion in my ThermA products?
  • A: Ensure proper airflow during installation. If distortion persists, contact us for guidance on resolving the issue.

Installation Instructions

You may install ThermA Fluted products vertically or horizontally. ThermA Fluted boards are 5.25″ wide and provide 5.0″ of coverage when installed.

To achieve a hidden fastener look, we recommend one of the following fastener options:

• Use 2.0-2.5″, #18 finishing nails with a pneumatic nail gun to fasten ThermA Fluted products to the wall.
• If the wall surface is flat, you may fasten the tongue only every 8-12″. ThermA Fluted products only weigh 0.85-1.05 pounds per linear foot, depending on species, so installation and fastening is relatively easy compared to heavier, unmodified alternatives.
• Adjust your nail gun to deliver nail heads flush or 1/32″ into the surface of the wood.
• Use 2.0-2.5″, #6 self-tapping (type 17 or similar) screws to fasten the tongue every 8-12″ if the wall surface is flat.

When installing ThermA Fluted products in exterior applications, please observe the following additional installation requirements:

• Certain ThermA Fluted products may feature a layer of wood from one species laminated over a base milled from another species. These products are fully thermally modified, but may de-laminate over time in exterior applications, particularly when exposed to the elements. Please contact us to determine whether the ThermA Fluted product you are considering is rated for exterior use.
• ThermA Fluted products must be installed over vertical furring strips. Furring strips should be installed at least every 24″, should be at least ¾” thick, and should be fastened to studs. Westwood Millworks has thermally modified furring strips available for sale – please inquire about adding them to your order.
• For vertical exterior ThermA Fluted installation, use vertical furring strips as usual, then install horizontal strips over the vertical strips. You’ll need to fasten the vertical ThermA Fluted boards to the horizontal strips.
• For horizontal applications, ThermA Fluted should be installed with the tongue facing up to prevent unwanted water intrusion.
• We recommend ThermA Fluted products be installed at least 12″ above the ground, or at least 6″ above slabs, paths, or steps to allow sufficient airflow. A minimum ¼” gap above/below soffits, doors, windows, and flashing aids in necessary airflow.

To fasten in external applications, we recommend one of the following fastening options:

• Use exterior rated 2.5″, #16 finishing nails with a pneumatic nail gun to face fasten ThermA Fluted products, taking care to nail the siding to the furring strips below every 8-12″.
• Use exterior rated 2.5″, #6 or #7 self-tapping (type 17 or similar) trim screws to face fasten ThermA Fluted products, taking care to screw the siding to the furring strips below every 8-12″.

NOTE: When cutting ThermA Fluted products, higher powered saws will generally improve the quality of your cuts. A miter saw will work well. For a 7 ¼” circular saw blade, use a new 36-40 tooth carbide tipped blade for best results. Fewer teeth may result in a course cut.

Maintenance & Care

Color Consistency

• The thermal modification process results in rich, darker color than untreated wood. One benefit of thermal treatment is that the wood has the same rich color throughout the entire thickness of the board.
• Color and grain variation between boards, and sometimes within the same board, are normal for natural wood products. Some species are notorious for a wide range of potential colors (for example: poplar), while others have more consistent color from board to board. Some variation in color is to be expected with any natural wood product, but Westwood separates its finished products based on a range of color tones so you can choose a general color tone range that best suits your preference. Natural wood products aren’t the best fit for a project that requires a perfectly uniform appearance.
• Unless otherwise specified, all ThermA products come four-side factory oiled. The factory oil and color tone will begin to gradually fade immediately after installation but will last anywhere from a few months to multiple years depending on the duration, angle, and intensity of exposure to UV light, water, and debris. Regular maintenance is required to keep the original color of your ThermA product.

NOTE: Following installation of your ThermA product, it is important to keep the surface clear of leaves, needles, pollen, and other debris. These may deteriorate the factory oil coating more quickly and result in a shorter maintenance interval than you may otherwise experience, and debris may retain moisture, causing the development of mold.

• Most ThermA products directly exposed to the sun’s harmful UV rays will need to be re-oiled/sealed approximately once each year but may be required more or less often in order to maintain their original color. If you miss a maintenance interval, you may find your ThermA product has silvered or greyed under the sun. Many choose to leave the products unsealed to promote silvering which can quickly resemble reclaimed barn wood. But don’t worry, this silvering doesn’t impact the wood’s resistance to rot and decay.
• If your products have turned silver or grey, and you prefer the original, rich color tones that your products had when you purchased them, have no fear. Your ThermA product has the same, original rich color throughout the full thickness of the board. If you wish to restore your wood’s original color, lightly sand the top layer of your boards, and refinish them with a UV-protective oil-based sealant of your choice. If you want to match the original factory oiled look, please contact us so we can help you choose a matching oil based on your product and date of manufacture. 2+ coats of sealant will absorb into the wood best and will result in better protection from the elements and a longer maintenance interval.
• To clean dirt or debris from your ThermA product, you may wash the surface with a gentle wood cleaner and a soft shower of water from a garden hose. Before using cleaner on your entire ThermA product’s surface, test it on a small, unnoticeable area to ensure the wood cleaner and water stream do not remove oil or discolor your ThermA product prior to cleaning larger, noticeable surface areas.

Checking & Distortion

• “Checking” is the natural process in which cracks or splits may occur on or within a board of wood as a result of the wood’s expansion and contraction in different weather conditions. Most checking that occurs in ThermA products takes place during the thermal modification process when the wood’s moisture content is reduced to almost zero, and we eliminate any significantly cracked boards during our extensive quality control process.
• Despite our post-treatment re-acclimation period and quality control process, you may still experience some minor checking after installation. If this occurs, it should only be some minor hairline cracks which are no cause for concern or a warranty claim. Please contact us immediately if you experience any significant cracking so we can work together to resolve your concern.
• One major benefit of the thermal modification process is that resulting products are significantly more resistant to warping, cupping, and bending than untreated alternatives. While significantly improved, ThermA products are not impervious to warping, particularly in exterior environments with large fluctuations in temperature and humidity. To minimize the effects of changing conditions on your ThermA products, it’s imperative to follow this installation guide, providing for good airflow on the reverse side of your ThermA products whenever installed outside. If you followed this guide and provided for sufficient airflow but still experience minor dimensional distortion, please contact us so we may consult on how to resolve this distortion.

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