To serve the changing market needs, rather than to ignore these, we have expanded our thermo-pine grading structure with a new AB grade.
We are proud that for decades, Thermory has been recognized for offering the highest-quality thermo-pine assortment available in the market. This is where we stand out from all our competitors. Offering high quality products remains our core differentiating value. What continues to distinguish Thermory is not only the quality itself, but also the transparency behind it. Thermory is among the very few thermo-wood manufacturers, if not the only one, openly publishing highly detailed grading rules and clearly defining what customers can expect from each grade.
Our highest A grade material goes through rigorous quality control, where each board is checked and passed through optimisation where defects are cut out during production and grading, helping to minimize project site installation waste, reduce onsite sorting and deliver a greater visual consistency in the finished facade or deck and significant savings through less waste and less extra boards purchased. This production philosophy naturally affects production yield and pricing, but it also creates long-term value through smoother installation, predictable quality and customer satisfaction.
“To us, premium quality is not only about how the finished product looks, but also about how reliably it performs during installation and how well it meets the end user needs,” says Joel Pihlak, Quality Manager at Thermory. “A true premium grade requires active grading and defect removal throughout production. That is what helps minimize waste and ensures customers receive material with highly consistent appearance and quality.”
Over the last several years, the thermowood market has expanded significantly. New suppliers and modification technologies have entered the market.
At the same time, different production philosophies have emerged. In most cases, thermo-treated raw material is simply planed pack-to-pack with no grading intervention or defect removal. This has naturally created lower-priced commercial-grade offerings in the market.
Through customer discussions and market feedback, Thermory recognized that there is also demand for a more commercially competitive alternative within our own assortment, particularly in segments where the highest visual perfection is not essential, installation labour is relatively affordable, installers prefer to optimize material onsite themselves and price sensitivity plays a larger role in purchasing decisions.
To serve the changing market needs, rather than to ignore these, Thermory has expanded its thermo-pine grading structure with a new AB grade.
Our newly created AB grade represents a commercially accepted market grade that more generously allows natural wood characteristics and defects compared to our premium A grade, while maintaining the same high standards of thermal modification and guaranteed biological durability.
“For us, the most important thing is helping customers choose the right material for the right application,” says Maret Puskar, Head of Exterior Sales at Thermory. “Some projects require maximum visual consistency and installation efficiency, while others prioritize commercial competitiveness. With the new AB grade, we can now serve both needs more clearly and transparently.”
Importantly, the new AB grade should not be viewed as a compromise, but rather as a practical and market-driven addition to the Thermory assortment.
To better support different project needs, installation approaches and budget expectations, Thermory thermo-pine is now available in three distinct grades. This grade structure allows Thermory customers to choose the quality level that best matches their project priorities, installation approach and budget expectations.
| GRADE | DESCRIPTION | TYPICAL CHARACTERISTICS | BEST SUITED FOR |
| A Grade | The highest-quality thermo-pine grade in the market | • Maximum defect-removal during production • Minimal installation waste • Highly consistent appearance • Reduced onsite sorting | Premium residential projects, hospitality, architecturally demanding façades and decks, projects where installation efficiency and visual consistency are priorities, regions and projects, where installation and labour costs are high and maintaining a predictable total project budget is important |
| AB Grade | Newly introduced commercially accepted grade, similar to the widely available quality in the market | • Generously allows natural variation and defects • Created to meet broader market demand and pricing expectations • Suitable for onsite optimization by installers • A commercially competitive alternative | Larger commercial projects, cost-sensitive applications, markets where installers commonly optimize boards onsite and where decisions are made first hand based on price, rather than total cost after installation |
| B Grade | Side-product generated during production of A grade | • Availability-based only • Cannot be ordered separately • Sold depending on stock availability. • Offered at a very attractive price level | Secondary applications, projects where appearance requirements are less critical, or where a more rustic and natural look is appreciated. Also ideal for fencing, sheds, planter boxes and various hobby or DIY projects |
As the thermowood market continues to evolve and new modification technologies and suppliers enter the industry, we believe it is increasingly important that customers clearly understand what quality they are actually purchasing and what that quality means in practice. Managing customer expectations is increasingly important.
At Thermory, we believe transparency is part of premium quality. That is why we openly publish our detailed grading rules and clearly communicate what is and is not allowed in each grade.
how the material is graded
what level of natural variation and defects can be expected
what installation efficiency the customer can realistically expect
provide technical documentation to support the product’s biological durability and performance
In addition to grading transparency, customers should always request supporting technical documentation such as Declaration of Performance (DoP) and proof of biological durability testing according to EN 350:2016.
“At Thermory, transparency is part of our value set and responsible manufacturing,” says Joel Pihlak. “Customers should be able to clearly understand both the visual quality and the technical performance of the material they are buying.”
The updated Thermory thermo-pine grading rules, now including the new AB grade, are available on our website under Guides and Files.
Our grading rules explain in detail the allowed characteristics and tolerances for A, AB and B grades and helps customers, architects, distributors and installers make informed decisions based on appearance expectations, installation efficiency and project budget.
We hope the new AB grade will be well received by customers looking for a more commercially competitive thermo-pine alternative while still benefiting from Thermory’s manufacturing expertise and trusted brand.
Thermory exterior sales team will gladly share information about availability, pricing structures and help you determine the most suitable thermo-pine grade for your project.
