We’re proud to announce that we are an Approved Manufacturer for Accoya wood! This unique treated lumber has been part of our product suite for years, so when we learned it was possible to join their roster of approved manufacturers, we jumped at the chance. Here’s what you need to know about Accoya, from its sustainability to its longevity, and why we love it for exterior doors of all shapes and sizes.
What is Accoya?
Accoya is radiata pine that is modified with heat, pressure, time, and an acidic solution to make it incredibly dimensionally stable and durable. This process is known as acetylation. It chemically changes the wood’s cell walls so that it is stronger, more dimensionally stable, and less perishable. Since its launch in 2007, Accoya has become a premier material for sustainable building projects around the world.
One of the best things about the acetylation method of modifying wood is that this same acidic solution can be repurposed for other processes.
Where does Accoya wood come from?
This wood is grown and harvested in New Zealand. Then it is processed in one of two facilities, either in the Netherlands or in Tennessee. All of the Accoya that RealCraft sources is processed in Tennessee, which makes it a readily available option year-round.
What are Accoya's benefits?
As door manufacturers with twenty years of experience, we know a thing or two about wood. Here are the qualities that make Accoya stand out to us, especially in the world of treated lumber.
- Stability: Accoya has superior dimensional stability, which means that it has extremely minimal movement resulting from temperature or humidity changes. This makes it suitable for a huge array of project types and regions, and it’s used for everything from decking and siding to doors and flooring.
- Toughness:The acetylation process also improves the hardness of the wood. Accoya has a Janka hardness rating of 922lbf.
- Safety: Unlike other treated woods, Accoya remains safe and non-toxic. It does not leach chemicals into the soil, and remains recyclable after use.
- Longevity: Accoya has industry-leading longevity. It is warrantied by Accsys (its parent company) for fifty years above ground and twenty-five years below ground. So it is truly made to last.
Is Accoya sustainable?
Yes, Accoya is incredibly sustainable and is an excellent choice for LEEDS certification or other sustainable building initiatives. Accoya is certifiedCradle to Cradle Gold for its circularity, longevity, carbon management, water stewardship, and social fairness.
The pine trees used to make Accoya are fast-growing and consistently replanted, with a regrowth cycle of 25 years. And all Accoya lumber comes from FSC-certified, responsibly managed forests. So you can feel confident that you’re making a choice that’s kinder for the planet. Since sustainability is something we've always valued at RealCraft, this makes Accoya an ideal material and one that we're extremely proud to recommend.
Does Accoya take stain well?
Yes, it does. In fact we recommend staining or painting Accoya for best results. The natural grain pattern and color of radiata pine can look a little plain. It doesn't have the same inherent drama as some of our other options. So it benefits from the added richness and coloration of a darker stain. Because it sands down extremely smooth and fine, and does not have prominent knots, Accoya is superb for paint as well.
Where to find Accoya doors?
All our exterior door designs, including Dutch, pivot, and carriage doors, are available in Accoya. Customize an ultra-durable door that’s suitable for any climate, and make your entryway more beautiful for years to come.
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