Wood tells a story over time. Sunlight, rain, and air all leave their quiet signatures — softening tone, deepening texture, and revealing the living character within each board. At UK Hardwoods, we believe in showing that story honestly. That’s why we filmed a five-month time-lapse of thermally modified ash weathering outdoors, allowing nature itself to demonstrate how this remarkable British hardwood evolves when exposed to the elements.
How Thermally Modified Ash Weathers: From Rich Brown to Silvery Grey
Over the course of five months, our cladding was exposed to the changing seasons. What unfolded was a fascinating, organic transformation.
Month 1: The wood retained its deep brown tone, rich and consistent, with minimal surface change.
Month 2–3: UV light began to gently silver the surface fibres, softening the dark colour into subtle bronze and pewter hues.
Month 4–5: The tone continued to mellow into a silvery-grey patina, while the grain pattern remained beautifully visible.
Cladding that's Durable and Stable
Unlike untreated hardwoods, thermally modified ash doesn’t warp, split, or cup during this process. Its cell structure has been permanently stabilised during modification, meaning it reacts far less to moisture or temperature changes.
The result is a timber that weathers gracefully — evolving rather than deteriorating.
Why Weathering Matters
In architecture and design, weathering isn’t something to fear — it’s something to celebrate. The gradual silvering of timber surfaces connects built spaces to their landscapes. It speaks of time, authenticity, and honest materials.
With thermally modified ash, you get the best of both worlds:
Natural beauty that evolves with the seasons.
Long-term performance — resisting decay, fungal growth, and excessive movement.
Low maintenance — no need for chemical coatings to preserve structural integrity.
Whether used as cladding, decking, or exterior joinery, it’s a material that matures elegantly and reliably.
The UK Hardwoods approach
Every board of our thermally modified British ash begins as locally grown, fully traceable timber. We carefully select, saw, and finish each piece in our North Devon workshop — respecting the unique character of the wood while ensuring performance that stands the test of time.
By choosing thermally modified ash, you’re not just choosing a material that performs beautifully outdoors — you’re choosing one that does so honestly, revealing its story through subtle shifts of colour and texture rather than coatings or chemical finishes.
Benefits of How Thermally Modified Ash Weathers
Thermally modified ash weathering is a slow, graceful transformation — a journey from rich warmth to soft silver that reveals the natural integrity of the wood beneath. It’s proof that durability doesn’t have to mean artificial perfection, and that sustainable British timber can perform beautifully in exterior applications for decades to come.
For designers, architects, and homeowners who value honest materials and local provenance, thermally modified ash offers the perfect balance of longevity, sustainability, and understated beauty.
