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TimberSIL®
Glass Wood Products
Homeowners FAQ's
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What is TimberSIL® Glass Wood?
TimberSIL® Glass Wood is made from a fusion of glass with wood. The glassy portion surrounds and protects the wood making this a long lasting product resistant to rot, decay and insects. Additionally, TimberSIL® Glass Wood is stronger, harder, and more insulating than untreated wood, and unlike traditionally treated woods, non-toxic, non-corrosive, and Class A Fire retardant.
How is TimberSIL® Glass Wood made?
In a completely non-toxic and environmentally friendly process, kiln dried Southern Yellow Pine is infused with a sodium silicate based formula, heated and again dried. This process encases the fibers of the wood in amorphous glass, inside and out. The glass component reduces the amount of water intake therefore increasing stability and reducing movement.
What type of wood is available as TimberSIL® Glass Wood?
Currently TimberSIL® Glass Wood features Southern Yellow Pine.
Other types of wood will be available in the future.
What products are available under the TimberSIL® Glass Wood Product name?
Premium decking
Dimensional lumber
Flat and beveled siding (beveled available on large orders only)
Marine pilings
Posts
Balusters
Virtually any product made of Southern Yellow Pine is either currently stocked or can be special ordered.
Does cutting the board diminish the strength?
No, cutting the board does not diminish the strength of the board. The addition of amorphous glass creates a harder board, almost as hard as hickory, increasing the strength, stability and rigidity of the board. TimberSIL® Glass Wood Products are much stronger than traditionally treated wood products
Can you use standard nails & brackets with TimberSIL® Glass Wood Products?
Yes, the glass encasing the fibers of the wood creates a protective barrier around the nails as they are in use. Use any exterior grade of fasteners and connectors without fear of corrosion. It is not necessary to use stainless steel or triple galvanized fasteners, as it is with traditionally treated wood products. TimberSIL® Glass Wood adds significant fastener holding strength.
Will the glass in TimberSIL® Glass Wood Products harm people or animals?
No, TimberSIL® Glass Wood Products are completely non-toxic, non-carcinogenic and non-corrosive. The glass in TimberSIL® Glass Wood Products is a naturally occurring amorphous form that breaks into harmless flakes if the wood is crushed, ground up, or sawn. There is no crystalline silica present in TimberSIL® Glass Wood Products. The EPA, after four years of extensive testing, granted TimberSIL® Glass Wood Products an exemption from pesticide regulations ("Barrier Free Exemption") because "the product has no toxic mode of action". TimberSIL® Glass Wood is the only wood product, ever, to receive this designation.
Does TimberSIL® Glass Wood fade in the sunlight?
Unless coated with a stain, sealer, or paint, the wood will age like any real wood. This is commonly referred to as graying out or turning silver in color.
Will TimberSIL® Glass Wood take stain and paint?
Yes. Please see manufacturer's instructions for painting or staining your new TimberSIL® Glass Wood Product. Typically, you will need to lightly sand the surface areas you plan to paint or stain to ensure a strong bond between TimberSIL® Glass Wood and your paint or stain products then you can stain or paint it immediately after. There is no need to wait for months to stain or paint it because TimberSIL® Glass Wood is already kiln dried.
Can I use TimberSIL® Glass Wood on docks?
TimberSIL® Glass Wood can be used in marine applications over fresh and salt water because it is entirely non-toxic and non-leaching. In fact, TimberSIL® Glass Wood is currently being using in Oregon to rebuild bridges where there is a need to protect the waterways and keep them environmentally safe for the native fish. The State of Hawaii is also turning to TimberSIL® Glass Wood for the same reason. Because of its hardness, TimberSIL® Glass Wood is resistant to marine worm borers, rot & and decay. It is also completely safe to use in water applications where people bath or swim, such as above ground pools, saunas, steam baths, etc.
Will the wood warp or twist?
TimberSIL® Glass Wood experiences far less warping, cracking or twisting than raw wood or treated wood. The low moisture levels and large quantities of amorphous glass in TimberSIL® Glass Wood Products reduce the overall movement of the lumber due to natural warp-resistance properties of glass. Expect minimal movement in your new TimberSIL® Glass Wood Product.
Will I cut myself running my hand over the wood, or will I get glass on my skin if I cut the wood?
No, the amorphous glass contained in TimberSIL® Glass Wood is microscopic in size. Also, because the glass completely surrounds the wood fibers, slivering of our product is minimized as well so you do not have to worry about bare feet catching nasty splinters when you walk across your new TimberSIL® Glass Wood deck.
Can you mill TimberSIL® Glass Wood?
Yes, the TimberSIL® Glass Wood may be milled. For example, it is being used to produce spindles, balusters, and parts for window manufacturing among many milled uses.
Does amorphous glass in the wood make it harder to cut, and will it harm saw blades?
The saw blade will actually make an easier, smoother cut through TimberSIL® Glass Wood Products. TimberSIL® Glass Wood Products are similar to hardwoods in hardness, and saw blade wear is similar to that for hardwoods.
Does TimberSIL® Glass Wood provide any protection from fire?
TimberSIL® Glass Wood is a Class A Fire Retardant, which means that when a flame contacts TimberSIL® Glass Wood, the flames will not spread though there may be scorching or charring where the contact occurred. In addition, TimberSIL® Glass Wood Products have also received an Ignition Resistant Material Rating after accelerated weathering in an extended fire test, meaning that even after aggressive weathering of the wood and after prolonged exposure to fire, TimberSIL® Glass Wood Products do not ignite.
Are TimberSIL® Glass Wood Products warranted?
Yes, TimberSIL® Glass Wood Products come with a 40 year limited transferable warranty for residential uses and a 3 year limited warranty for piers and pilings. Transferable means that if you sell your home, for example, the warranty is extended to the new homeowner as well.
Has TimberSIL® Glass Wood won any awards?
Yes, TimberSIL® Glass Wood has been recognized in the following ways:
Grand Award 2005 Home Tech Category
"Best of What's New"
Popular Science
2005 "Design 100"
Roster of Top 100 Products Destined to Change Our World
Metropolitan Home
Top 10 Green Building Products of 20
Environmental Building News
MBDC
Cradle to Cradle Silver, 2007, 2008
2008 US Environmental Protection Agency
"NON-TOXIC BARRIER EXEMPTION", Historic First Ever
1996-2000: the invention that became TimberSIL received grand awards from: the Army, Navy, Air Force, the CIA, the US Patent & Trademark Office, National Institute of Standards & Technology, and numerous engineering societies and private institutions.
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