Everything You Need to Know About Waterproof Solid Hardwood Flooring

You've probably been told it shouldn't be installed over concrete.

That radiant heat is risky.

Bathrooms are a bad idea.

And showers?

Forget about it.

For traditional hardwood, that's usually good advice.

Thermawood changes that.

WeeBee Wood offers Thermawood-USA because it gives homeowners, builders, designers, and contractors another option when they want real solid hardwood without the limitations of traditional wood.

Thermawood isn't engineered flooring.

It isn't laminate.

It isn't vinyl.

It isn't a plastic floor made to look like wood.

It's real solid hardwood that's permanently changed using only heat and steam.

The result is a floor that performs differently than traditional hardwood while still looking, feeling, sanding, staining, and refinishing like real wood—because it is real wood.

Over 70 Years in the Flooring Industry

WeeBee Wood brings together more than 70 years of combined flooring experience in both residential and commercial projects.

We've worked on everything from custom homes and bathrooms to hotels, restaurants, retail stores, military bases, and large commercial projects.

That experience has taught us something simple.

There isn't one flooring product that's perfect for every job.

Traditional hardwood still has its place.

Engineered hardwood has its place.

Luxury vinyl has its place.

But sometimes a project calls for something different.

That's why WeeBee Wood proudly offers Thermawood-USA waterproof solid hardwood flooring.

How Is Thermawood Made?

The process is actually pretty simple.

Real hardwood is placed into specialized oxygen-free kilns and slowly heated all the way through to approximately 380° to 400°F.

Once the wood reaches temperature, it isn't rushed through a cooling process.

Instead, it's slowly cooled with steam.

From start to finish, the entire process takes about four days.

That's it.

Nothing is added to the wood.

No chemicals.

No plastic.

No waterproof coatings.

No pressure treatment.

Just heat and steam.

That process permanently changes the wood itself instead of covering it with something.

What Changes Inside the Wood?

Heat changes the wood at its core.

During the thermal modification process, much of the organic material inside the wood that attracts moisture is removed.

Traditional hardwood naturally absorbs and releases moisture as humidity changes.

That's what causes wood to expand, contract, cup, warp, gap, and move over time.

Because Thermawood has been permanently changed, it reacts very differently than traditional hardwood.

The wood itself has changed.

Not the surface.

Not the finish.

The wood.

That's what makes Thermawood different from nearly every other waterproof flooring product on the market.

Why Does That Matter?

Movement is responsible for many hardwood flooring problems.

When wood takes on moisture, it expands.

As it dries, it contracts.

Over time, those changes can lead to:

• Cupping
• Warping
• Gapping
• Buckling
• Excessive movement

That's why traditional hardwood has always had limitations.

Thermawood changes the equation.

Because the wood itself has been changed, it moves far less than traditional hardwood.

That opens the door to applications that weren't practical with ordinary solid hardwood.

Where Can Thermawood Be Used?

One of the biggest advantages of Thermawood is where it can be installed.

Depending on the project and proper installation methods, Thermawood may be used in:

• Bathrooms
• Walk-in showers
• Kitchens
• Laundry rooms
• Concrete slabs
• Radiant heat systems
• Basements
• Coastal homes
• Beach houses
• Wide plank flooring projects
• Commercial buildings
• Restaurants
• Hotels
• Retail spaces
• Wall applications
• Ceiling applications
• Exterior cladding
• Decking
• Docks
• Pergolas
• Outdoor kitchens

It's still real hardwood.

It just isn't limited the same way traditional hardwood has been for generations.

What Thermawood Is NOT

Thermawood is not:

• LVP
• Vinyl flooring
• Laminate flooring
• A plastic floor
• A waterproof coating
• Pressure-treated wood
• Chemically treated wood
• Engineered hardwood

Thermawood is simply real hardwood that's been permanently changed using heat and steam.

Why WeeBee Wood Sells Thermawood

WeeBee Wood isn't just a Thermawood dealer.

We also supply traditional solid hardwood, engineered hardwood, reclaimed flooring, antique heart pine, white oak, red oak, and many other flooring products.

Why?

Because every project is different.

Some projects are perfect for traditional hardwood.

Some are better suited for engineered flooring.

And sometimes a customer wants real solid hardwood in a place where traditional hardwood has always struggled.

That's exactly why we offer Thermawood.

Not because it's better for every project.

Because it's the right solution for the projects it was designed for.

Frequently Asked Questions About Thermawood

Is Thermawood real hardwood?

Yes. Thermawood is real solid hardwood. It is not LVP, laminate, vinyl, or a fake wood-look product.

Is Thermawood engineered flooring?

No. Thermawood is not engineered flooring. It is solid hardwood from top to bottom.

How is Thermawood made?

Thermawood is made by heating real hardwood all the way through to around 380° to 400°F in specialized oxygen-free kilns. The wood is then slowly cooled with steam. The process takes about four days.

Is anything added to the wood?

No. Nothing is added. No chemicals. No plastic. No waterproof coating. No pressure treatment. Just heat and steam.

Why does Thermawood move less than traditional hardwood?

Traditional hardwood contains organic material that attracts moisture and causes movement. The Thermawood process removes much of that organic material, which greatly reduces cupping, warping, gapping, and movement.

Is Thermawood waterproof?

Yes. Thermawood is waterproof solid hardwood because the wood itself is changed, not because of a plastic layer or surface coating.

Can Thermawood go in a shower?

Yes. Thermawood can be used in showers when installed correctly. That is one of the biggest differences between Thermawood and traditional solid hardwood.

Can Thermawood go in bathrooms?

Yes. Bathrooms are one of the main places Thermawood makes sense because it gives people real hardwood in a high-moisture space.

Can Thermawood go over concrete?

Yes. Thermawood can be installed over concrete slabs when the slab is properly prepared and the right adhesive system is used.

Can Thermawood go over radiant heat?

Yes. Thermawood can be used over radiant heat when installed correctly. A full glue-down installation is usually the right method for that type of project.

Does Thermawood need to be glued down?

For concrete slabs, radiant heat, showers, bathrooms, and many wide plank installations, glue-down is usually the proper method. The install still matters.

Can Thermawood be nailed down?

Some applications may allow it, but Thermawood is usually treated differently than ordinary nail-down hardwood. For the applications most people ask about, glue-down is normally the better answer.

Can Thermawood be floated?

No. Thermawood is real solid hardwood. It is not a floating click-lock floor.

Can Thermawood scratch or dent?

Yes. It is still real wood. Waterproof does not mean scratch-proof or dent-proof.

Can Thermawood be refinished?

Yes. Since Thermawood is real solid hardwood, it can be sanded, stained, and refinished.

Is Thermawood better than engineered hardwood?

It depends on the project. Engineered hardwood can be a good product. Thermawood is for people who want real solid hardwood in places where traditional solid hardwood usually struggles.

Is Thermawood better than LVP?

They are completely different products. LVP is plastic flooring made to look like wood. Thermawood is real hardwood.

Is Thermawood chemical-free?

Yes. Thermawood is changed with heat and steam. No chemical treatment is used to make the wood waterproof.

Is Thermawood good for coastal homes?

Yes. Coastal homes are one of the places Thermawood makes a lot of sense because moisture and humidity are constant concerns.

Can Thermawood be used in basements?

Yes. Because of its improved dimensional stability, Thermawood is a good choice for many basement projects when installed correctly.

Can Thermawood be stained?

Yes.

Thermawood is real hardwood and can be stained just like traditional hardwood.

Can Thermawood be sanded?

Yes.

Since it is solid hardwood, Thermawood can be sanded and refinished multiple times throughout its life.

What wood species are available?

Thermawood is available in several species including White Oak, Red Oak, Antique Heart Pine, Cypress, and other species depending on the application.

Why has Europe used thermally modified wood for decades?

Thermally modified wood has been used throughout Europe for decades because of its improved stability, durability, and performance in changing climates.

Does Thermawood look different than traditional hardwood?

No.

One of the biggest advantages of Thermawood is that it still looks like real hardwood because it is real hardwood.

Does Thermawood require special maintenance?

No.

It is maintained much like other hardwood flooring. Following normal cleaning and maintenance recommendations will help maximize its lifespan.

Can Thermawood be used for wall and ceiling applications?

Yes.

Thermawood is used for much more than flooring. It is also used for wall cladding, ceilings, exterior siding, pergolas, decking, docks, and many architectural applications.

Real Wood Without the Same Old Limits

Real wood has always been one of the best flooring materials available.

Thermawood simply allows real hardwood to be used in places where traditional hardwood has always struggled.

That's why WeeBee Wood proudly offers Thermawood-USA waterproof solid hardwood flooring.