What is Stabilized Wood?

 

"What sets Stabilized wood apart? Can Stabilized wood make my projects indestructible? What does Stabilized wood mean?! Hopefully, this section will provide a better understanding of Stabilized wood and when it offers the most benefits.

Definition:

"Wood stabilization involves a series of processes that utilize pressure and/or vacuum to infuse certain monomers, acrylics, phenolics, or other resins into the cellular structure of wood. This enhances dimensional stability and/or material properties." (Source: Wikipedia)

So, does the wood get filled with plastic? Does it fill in all voids to create a solid block? Not exactly. Stabilization is often mistaken for "Hybridization." The goal of stabilization is to reduce excessive movement in lumber caused by changes in moisture, temperature, and impact. Hybridization, on the other hand, involves filling voids or making damaged or live edge wood dimensionally complete with a rigid resin, typically Epoxies or Urethanes.

Now, you might think that stabilization makes your lumber incredibly strong and immune to warping or cracking, right? Wrong. While stabilization significantly increases density and rigidity, it does have limitations like any other process. Properly stabilized wood will experience significantly reduced movement due to moisture, but it is not waterproof. While it is less likely to crack, it won't withstand being run over by a car. Think of it like fiberglass, where wood acts as the fiber—tough but not impervious.

Is using stabilized wood mandatory? No! Wood has been used for thousands of years in many applications without stabilization, and it has worked just fine. However, will stabilized wood enhance your products? Absolutely! Not only will your project become more durable, but it will also boast captivating colors that attract attention, potentially resulting in increased sales for you."

 

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