Timber iQ April - May 2019 // Issue: 43 | Page 19

class two, which means that it can be used in any climate but direct contact with the ground is not recommended. The lowered equilibrium moisture content of Thermowood makes the product dimensionally stable for a multitude of purposes and the material retains its shape far better than untreated wood enabling the most challenging designs to be achieved. Resin, a sticky organic substance found in trees, is removed from the wood during the thermal modification process. As a result, the wood does not secrete resin even at high temperatures allowing the material to be used in all spaces including saunas. ADVANTAGES OF LUNAWOOD THERMOWOOD • Dimensional stability • Weather endurance • Non-toxic and safe • Thermal insulation • Resin free • Ecological material throughout its entire life cycle VARIOUS END USES Thermowood is a product that shows no signs of slowing down. Not only is Thermowood an excellent choice in extreme climatic conditions, it also helps to improve the performance of any building as well as those who work and live within functional spaces. Once a building is adorned with Thermowood, natural beauty is evident and susceptibility to the damaging effects of the environment is significantly reduced. THERMOWOOD IS USED FOR • Exterior claddings • Solar shades • Frames and bearers • Deckings • Interiors Exterior cladding and solar shades are one of the most prominent features of Thermowood. With much of Africa being situated in the intertropical zone, it calls for durability and stability like no other. Exterior cladding boards are extremely durable with outstanding dimensional stability. This makes it an excellent material in hot climatic conditions. Lunawood offers an extensive collection and solutions including wide cladding boards produced by utilising glue lamination technology for exterior cladding. When Lunawood is exposed to UV-light, it will turn a beautiful silver grey unless protected by a pigmented surface protection. Solar shades are an excellent and ecological innovation to keep homes cool when exposed to the sun. When applied, excessive solar rays are prevented from overheating the spaces within a building. Solar shades are not just limited to shielding against rays of the sun. Solar shades are versatile products and are an excellent solution for many other purposes like exterior cladding. Thermowood also provides sustainable outdoor living. Lunawood’s range of decking solutions are inspired by Nordic nature and their long-lasting decking products require little upkeep and are well suited to sub-Saharan temperatures. THE FUTURE AFRICA UNIVERSITY CAMPUS The University of Pretoria’s new Future Africa campus is a dynamic living, learning and research environment place where Africa’s leading scientists and scholars from across the world come together. QUICK FACTS Project Future of Africa University Campus Architect Earth World Architects Location Pretoria, South Africa Product Luna SHP 26x92, Luna SHP 26x140 The new campus area has been spruced up with Lunawood’s Thermowood solar shades to protect the windows and passageways from the sun and to give a natural atmosphere and all supplied by Universal Plywoods. NOT SLOWING DOWN Innovation and sustainability play an important role in Lunawood. The company’s value proposition offers people to make the connection between urban environments and nature. Lunawood has and will continue to set quality requirements for Thermowood to take on full responsibility for the care of the environment. To ensure this, the quality chain goes all the way from sourcing sustainable wood products which in turn benefits the consumer / end user. Lunawood reconnects people with nature in urban environments, making the forest available to all. These innovative and sustainable products improve lives in the most healthy and durable ways while promising a bright future ahead. Lunawood products are available through all of the Universal Plywoods branches in Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban and Bloemfontein. CONTACT INFO Universal Plywoods Kynoch Rd, Klipfontein, Midrand, Johannesburg Tel: +27 (0) 11 310 9717 www.universalply.com KwaZulu-Natal 40 Leicester Road Mobeni, Durban Patrick: 082 454 5740 Jason: 083 867 3773 Bloemfontein Aramex Warehouse ™ Old East End Industrial Corner Alpha & Kraal streets Koen: 076 235 6758 UNIVERSALPlywoods www.timberiq.co.za Cape Town 13 Milan Street Airport Industria, Cape Town Gareth: 083 278 8077 Thane: 079 116 8131 Engineered Engineered Wood Products. Wood Specialits. // APRIL / MAY 2019 17