Dimensional Stability

Temperature and humidity are critical factors for many materials in outdoor applications.

Generally wood swells in damp or wet conditions and shrinks in dry, hot conditions, with the unwelcomed results: structures may become unstable; windows and doors may jam or let in drafts; wood may warp or split, leading to insect degradation and more frequent maintenance cycles.

Accoya® wood’s superior dimensional stability (resistance to swelling and shrinkage) matches or exceeds all the top leading species in the world, including Teak, Sapele, Iroko and Western Red Cedar.

Outstanding Dimensional Stability

With minimal swell and shrinkage, Accoya® wood offers outstanding dimensional stability in both radial and tangential directions (thickness and width) and may be confidently utilized in applications where it will encounter varying moisture conditions – even in freshwater immersion.

Tests have shown the reduction in swelling caused by moisture is improved by 75% or more. From oven dry to water saturated conditions, the swelling and shrinkage of acetylated wood is only minimal and, in fact, better than tropical hardwoods.

Extreme Conditions

Accoya® wood has been tested over prolonged periods in different types of weathering conditions – above ground, below ground and in freshwater – and has been proven to withstand even the toughest and most challenging of environments. Even after a prolonged period of immersion, Accoya® window frames keep operating smoothly, without jamming.