Why retrofit with wood?  

Welcome the Renovation Wave  

While some dwellings may only require a simple update, others benefit from a deep retrofit that improves the building’s technical performance and energy efficiency. Deep retrofits often require a bigger investment upfront, but the aim is to lower the energy bills and maintenance costs for the homeowner in the long run. And take some pressure off our planet, too.  

Buildings are one of the biggest sources of carbon emissions. In Europe, they’re responsible for around 40% of total energy consumption and 36% of CO2 emissions.   

Across Europe and beyond, stricter building codes and environmental goals are pushing homeowners and builders to renovate with sustainability in mind. Initiatives like the EU Renovation Wave aim to retrofit 35 million buildings by 2030, recognizing that existing buildings are the biggest climate challenge — and opportunity. With nearly 85% of EU buildings built before 2001, and 75% of them energy inefficient compared to today’s standards, there’s significant potential for improvement. 

Natural materials like wood and other bio-based materials are increasingly favored for renovations. Not just for their eco-credentials, but for their beauty, durability, and ease of use. 

Benefits of Thermory thermowood in renovations and retrofit projects  

Thermory thermowood has outstanding technical properties. It is durable and performs well in different climates. Thermo-ash and thermo-spruce belong in durability class 1, meaning it retains rot resistance for over 25 years. With its low moisture absorption, thermowood also twists, cups and bends less than untreated wood in outdoor use.  

Looks matter, too. We might not always acknowledge that, but the aesthetics of our surroundings influence our mood. We feel better in a well-designed environment. Thermory wood has a pleasant look and feel to it with its beautiful coloring and smooth surface.   

Thermory has meticulous sourcing principles, not every tree makes the grade. We buy lumber from selected sustainably managed forests and set specific, strict requirements for both suppliers and product quality. This makes thermo-ash with its deep, chocolate brown coloring and excellent durability a good alternative to tropical woods.   

Thermowood is enhanced with only heat and steam. No chemicals are used in the process. This also means that there is no need to handle Thermory wood as hazardous waste at the end of its lifecycle. 

Wood is easy to work with for both professional building and DIY fans alike. Thermally modified wood is lightweight, dimensionally stable, and easy to install. Also, it needs little maintenance after installation.   

All Thermory products have Environmental Product Declarations (EPD) that measure the environmental impact of the products. This makes it possible to calculate the carbon impact of retrofit projects and track the overall environmental footprint. 

Case study: retrofitting a Soviet era building in Estonia

Reconstructing a Soviet era three-story border guard post into an aesthetically pleasing structure is a pretty big challenge.

The goal was to create a natural feel that would be long-lasting and aesthetically pleasing. The architects Ants Rajando and Lembit Tork managed to utilize an existing brick building and create something aesthetically pleasing and blending into the environment.

The seaside building is now clad with brushed and painted timber cladding by Thermory.

Case study: wooden extension on brick house in London, UK

Architects used thermo-ash boards with hidden fixings to modernise this semi-detached property. The material was chosen for decking, horizontal and vertical cladding, and fencing, creating a seamless and elegant look.

At the back of the building, the living space has been extended by the addition of a garden room, joined together by a deck which runs the length of the garden between the two buildings. At the front of the property, the extension and entrance porch have been clad in the same material.