Part 2: Species Matter More Than People Realize
What twenty years and more than a dozen species have taught us about what lasts In Part 1, I argued that thermal modification is a manufacturing discipline and that the kiln is only one part of the...
Top 5 Deck Design Trends for the 2026 Outdoor Living Season
The deck has evolved from a simple platform into a designed statement piece, complete with planned zones, intentional lighting, and furnishings like a room — the extension of your indoor living spa...
The Rise of Outdoor Living: How Builders Are Responding to Deck and Siding Options
For years, the backyard was the part of the job you finished last. The deck went in after the house was done, built from whatever was available (and cheap), and nobody expected it to last more than...
Part 1: Why Thermal Modification Is a Manufacturing Discipline, not a Kiln Purchase
This is the first blog of a three-part series on thermal modification.
ThermA Decking vs. Pressure Treated Lumber: The Full Safety and Performance Comparison
If you’re planning a new deck, you’ve likely considered pressure-treated lumber. It’s long been the standard for decking—affordable, available, and familiar. But it’s not the only choice, and for m...
Deck Safety Month: What Every Homeowner Should Know Before Summer
Most deck failures don’t announce themselves. They build quietly — a fastener that corrodes a little more each winter, a ledger that lets moisture in at the seam, a board that softens from the bott...