General FAQs
What is Kebony?
Kebony is a highly durable, sustainable wood with the aesthetics and performance of the best tropical hardwood. It requires minimal maintenance with low life cycle costs.
What is the difference between Kebony and heat-treated woods?
Kebony technology is a combination of the infusion of a bio-based liquid and exposure to heat in the excess of 100°C, which permanently thickens up the cell wall of the wood. Heat-treated timber processes are purely high temperature treatments (170°C – 215°C), which does not alter the cell structure of the timber, but stiffens and makes the cell walls more brittle.
How is Kebony disposed of at the end of its life?
Kebony wood can be handled as ordinary wood. It can be recycled, repurposed, or burnt.
What applications can Kebony be used in?
Kebony can be used both indoors and outdoors in applications which include decking, cladding, flooring, roofing, windows, doors, furniture and design objects
Is Kebony easy to work with?
Kebony is much easier to work with than tropical hardwoods. Carbide tools should still be used but will last much longer.
Does Kebony come with a warranty?
Kebony offers a 30-year warranty against rot for above ground contact use.
Who sells Kebony?
See the Where to Buy section on our website or submit an online quote request.
How do I request samples of Kebony?
You can request a free sample online, send your inquiry to [email protected] or contact your nearest retailer.
How do I place an order?
You can submit an online quote request, send your purchase order to [email protected] or contact your nearest retailer.
Is Kebony dimensionally stable?
The Kebony process substantially improves the wood’s dimensional stability, typically by 50% compared to the original wood species. For example, Kebony Clear will swell tangentially by only 4% – better than almost all other woods.
What are the mechanical properties of Kebony?
The bending strength of Kebony is roughly unchanged from the parent wood, while the stiffness is improved by 10-20%. The hardness is typically improved by 30-50% over the parent wood. Complete specifications can be found in the relevant product information sheet.
What are the physical properties of Kebony?
Kebony is a natural product. Our process alters the wood fibers’ ability to hold moisture as a result of cell modification. Kebony has lower moisture content than untreated wood when it is in equilibrium with its surrounding climate. This effect is caused by the formation of the polymer inside the wood fibers. The process also reduces the shrinking and swelling of Kebony compared to the parent wood by 50%. The dimensional stability at moisture variations is therefore vastly improved.
Is Kebony maintenance free?
Kebony wood does not require any special maintenance beyond normal cleaning.
Is Kebony certified?
Kebony is produced from FSC®-certified woods.
How does Kebony machine?
Kebony is about as hard as domestic hard Maple. Consequently, Kebony should be machined at slower feed rates using carbide-tipped knives.
What is Kebony’s carbon footprint compared to other tropical hardwoods?
Kebony has a substantially lower carbon footprint than most tropical hardwoods.
Is Kebony available in different colors?
Kebony wood is delivered in a dark brown color as a result of the Kebony technology. The shade of brown does vary slightly depending on the wood species. If left exposed to the elements, all Kebony woods will develop a silver patina over time.
Technical FAQs
Can Kebony be ripped and/or crosscut?
Kebony Clear can be both ripped and crosscut. We recommend using high quality carbide blades that are suitable for tropical hardwoods.
Kebony Character can only be crosscut and should not be ripped as it will expose untreated heartwood. We recommend using high quality carbide blades that are suitable for tropical hardwoods.
Do I need to seal the wood after cutting and/or ripping?
End-sealing is not necessary for Kebony Clear and should NOT be used as the sealant can interact with any finish that may be applied to the top surface. Furthermore, the use of end-sealers may result in uneven weathering of Kebony.
Kebony Character crosscuts must be sealed using an anti-parasite/fungal agent. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
What is the Solar Reflectance Index (SRI) of Kebony Clear?
The SRI values under Low, Medium, and High intensity are respectively, 49.1, 49.3, and 49.4
What is the Slip Resistance of Kebony?
There is no one recognized standard test for slip resistance. Kebony has performed several different tests in an effort to illustrate performance in different conditions.
DIN 51097
DIN 51097 ramp testing is a pedestrian slip test method utilizing soapy water and bare feet.
The outcome of this test was a rating of Group A.
DIN 51130
DIN 51130 ramp testing is a pedestrian slip test method utilizing motor oil and cleated safety boots.
The outcome of this test was an R11.
Fastener Location
All fasteners require pre-drilling. Kebony Clear requires that fasteners be located at least 1” from any edge. Kebony Character requires that fasteners be located at least ⅝” from any edge.
What fasteners should I use with Kebony products?
We recommend using 304 or 316 stainless steel screws or nails on Kebony products. The specific grade should be selected by the contractor based on site specifics. The International Code Council Evaluation Service Report states that #8 screws should be used for decking applications.
Fasteners are provided when either the optional Step-Clip for Kebony, Fastenator Hidden Fastener System or Pro Plug® System for Kebony Wood are selected.
What grade of stainless steel is used for the Step-Clip nails?
316 Stainless Steel
What grade of stainless steel is used for the Fastenator screws?
316 Stainless Steel
What grade of stainless steel is used for the screws provided with the Pro Plug® System for Kebony Wood?
316 Stainless Steel
What is the grade of aluminum used for the Passive Rainscreen System Clips?
EN AW 6063-T66
How much does Kebony Clear decking weigh?
5/4 x 6 decking weighs approximately 1.55 lb/LF.
2 x 6 decking weighs approximately 3 lb/LF.
The density of Kebony Clear is approximately 41.8 lb/ft3 or 670 kg/m3.
How hard is Kebony Clear decking?
Kebony Clear’s Janka hardness is 1619 lbf.
What is covered under warranty?
You can see the complete warranty here.
How do I clean my Kebony?
Water and a brush with only garden hose pressure. Do not use a pressure washer.
What is the minimum allowable ground clearance for Kebony Clear decking?
The minimum required clearance is 1.5” except when over exposed ground. In such cases,the clearance should be determined by the installer based on site specifics.