ThermalPro Wood in One of the Harshest Environments on Earth

In case you were questioning the durability of ThermalPro Wood Decking, I wanted to share a recent project that speaks for itself. This mile-and-a-half boardwalk along Salt Creek in Death Valley features our thermally modified Southern Yellow Pine decking.

In 2022, the boardwalk, parking area, and roadways were washed away during a rare storm event—one of the most significant the area has seen in decades, called the DEVA Deluge. When engineers evaluated materials for the rebuild, they selected thermally modified wood as the ideal solution due to its performance in extreme climates.

Why? Because thermally modified wood offers:

• Class 1 durability, matching or exceeding many tropical hardwoods

• Exceptional stability with dramatically reduced movement

• Resistance to rot, mold, and insects

• A fully chemical-free profile, ideal for sensitive ecosystems like national parks and wetlands

• Long service life even under extreme temperature swings

Salt Creek is one of the harshest environments in North America—salt air, intense UV exposure, high heat, freezing winters, and constant foot traffic. The fact that ThermalPro Wood was selected for this rebuild underscores its ability to outperform traditional materials in the most demanding settings.

This environment is so harsh that installation crews could only work at night, when temperatures dropped to an average of 107°F—still scorching, but far more manageable than the extreme daytime heat. The landscape is so stark and dramatic that one of our engineers who visited the site remarked that “it felt like being on Mars.” – it does result in some beautiful pictures though.

Despite these conditions, the thermally modified wood performed exactly as intended. Its stability, resistance to warping, and ability to withstand intense environmental exposure made it the ideal choice for a boardwalk that must endure some of the most unforgiving conditions on earth. In a place where traditional materials fail quickly, ThermalPro Wood delivers dependable, long-lasting performance without the use of chemicals or synthetics.

Projects like Salt Creek demonstrate why thermally modified wood is becoming a preferred material for environmentally sensitive and high-stress installations. It not only meets sustainability goals, but it also offers the durability, longevity, and natural beauty designers and engineers can rely on—whether they’re building in a wetlands preserve, a coastal environment, or the middle of a desert that feels like another planet.

If you’re evaluating materials for boardwalks, trails, or waterfront structures, this project is a strong example of how thermally modified wood can deliver long-term, sustainable performance without compromise.

For samples and more information, please contact marketing@thermalprowood.

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Want to learn more about thermally modified wood? Check out our education blog posts https://www.thermaprowood.com/blog/categories/education

Have questions you want answered about thermally modified wood? Then give us a call or email sales@thermaprowood.com.