ThermoWood Pine Thermo-D VS ThermoWood Radiata Pine Thermo-D
- Leads on bending strength, machining ease, lightness — a narrow but consistent edge
- Harder wear surface
- Solid choice where its profile fits the project
Visual comparison
Winner by category
There isn't one universally best wood — there's a best wood for each purpose.
| Category | Winner |
|---|---|
| Durability | Tie |
| Stability | Tie |
| Hardness | ThermoWood Radiata Pine Thermo-D |
| Strength (MOR) | ThermoWood Radiata Pine Thermo-D |
| Stiffness (MOE) | ThermoWood Radiata Pine Thermo-D |
| Flame spread | Tie |
| Machining ease | ThermoWood Pine Thermo-D |
| Lightness | ThermoWood Pine Thermo-D |
Engineering data
| Property | ThermoWood Pine Thermo-D | ThermoWood Radiata Pine Thermo-D |
|---|---|---|
| Janka Hardness | 540UNV lbf | 710UNV lbf |
| Density | 0.42ITWA g/cm³ | 0.44ITWA g/cm³ |
| MOE | 9.3ITWA GPa | 16.9ITWA GPa |
| MOR | 38.1ITWA MPa | 60.6ITWA MPa |
| Durability | Class 2 Durable (treated) | Class 2 Durable (treated) |
| Stability | Moderate | Moderate |
| Fire (E84) | Not classified | Not classified |
| Radial Shrink | 1.2ITWA % | 1.2ITWA % |
| Tangential Shrink | 2.5ITWA % | 2.6ITWA % |
| T/R Ratio | 2.08 | 2.17 |
Figures carry the same source status as the species pages they come from — verified where cited, indicative where marked.
Best for
| Application | Recommended | Suitability |
|---|---|---|
| Outdoor decking / pergola | 🥇 ThermoWood Pine Thermo-D | ★★★☆☆ |
| Exterior cladding | 🥇 ThermoWood Pine Thermo-D | ★★★☆☆ |
| Flooring / wear surfaces | 🥇 ThermoWood Radiata Pine Thermo-D | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Furniture / interior joinery | 🥇 ThermoWood Pine Thermo-D | ★★★☆☆ |
| Structural / load-bearing | 🥇 ThermoWood Pine Thermo-D | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Advantages & limitations
ThermoWood Pine Thermo-D
Advantages relative to ThermoWood Radiata Pine Thermo-D
Limitations relative to ThermoWood Radiata Pine Thermo-D
- Janka is 540 lbf vs 710 lbf, about 24% lower
- MOR is 38.1 MPa vs 60.6 MPa, about 37% lower
ThermoWood Radiata Pine Thermo-D
Advantages relative to ThermoWood Pine Thermo-D
- Janka is 710 lbf vs 540 lbf, about 31% harder
- MOR is 60.6 MPa vs 38.1 MPa, about 59% higher
Limitations relative to ThermoWood Pine Thermo-D
Recommendation
Choose ThermoWood Pine Thermo-D if…
- Saunas (a signature use — low thermal conductivity and no resin bleed after modification) where the sauna-specific profile is the specification regardless of the strength gap
- Rain screens and exterior cladding where the working properties are sufficient at a lower cost profile
Choose ThermoWood Radiata Pine Thermo-D if…
- Exterior cladding and rain screens, decking, garden structures where the higher hardness and bending strength are what the piece must deliver
- Interior panelling and joinery where the harder, stronger modified radiata pine profile matches the specification
Frequently asked questions
Which is more durable, ThermoWood Pine Thermo-D or ThermoWood Radiata Pine Thermo-D?
Neither — both carry the same EN 350 rating (Class 2, Durable (treated)). Outdoors, movement will not separate them either — 2.5% against 2.6% tangential. The practical difference is weight: ThermoWood Radiata Pine Thermo-D runs 0.44 g/cm³ against 0.42, so ThermoWood Pine Thermo-D is the easier fix overhead and the cheaper one to freight.
Which wood is better for outdoor use?
Both are EN 350 Class 2, and tangential movement runs 2.5% for ThermoWood Pine Thermo-D against 2.6% for ThermoWood Radiata Pine Thermo-D — close enough that decay resistance will not choose between them, and ThermoWood Pine Thermo-D holds its dimension marginally better. ThermoWood Radiata Pine Thermo-D gives the harder wearing surface at 710 lbf; ThermoWood Pine Thermo-D is the lighter section at 0.42 g/cm³ — traffic favours the first, cladding and handling the second.
Is ThermoWood Pine Thermo-D harder than ThermoWood Radiata Pine Thermo-D?
No — ThermoWood Radiata Pine Thermo-D is harder (Janka 710 vs 540 lbf).