If you’ve been following the building products industry in recent years, you’ve likely heard of the sustainable timber product Kebony. Among some of the high-profile projects this wood has graced are the Hunter’s Point South Waterfront Park in Queens, New York (by Thomas Balsley Associates and Weiss/Manfredi), and LeFrak Center, Prospect Park in Brooklyn (by Tod Williams Billie Tsien Architects). Now the Norwegian creator of the innovative material is launching the next-generation Kebony Clear decking and cladding products for the North American market — as well as new formats.
For those needing a refresher, Kebony is composed of sustainable softwood that has been treated with a bio-based liquid to modify its cellular structure, ultimately giving it the stability, performance and appearance of tropical hardwoods. Expressly developed for outdoor applications, the handsome Kebony Clear line sports a clear finish and starts out with a deep rich brown color that, from weathering and sun exposure, will develop a natural grayish patina. The next-generation version of Kebony Clear uses a slightly improved formula but offers the same performance attributes and naturally occurring character over time.
New RAP 90 Degree Shiplap
The wood can be milled or crosscut to dimensions as required for various project needs but also comes in standard formats including a 38-by-140-millimeter boardwalk plank, 22-by-142-millimeter smooth or comb-faced terrace plank and RAP decking, among others. With the launch of this version 2.0 in North America, Kebony is expanding the Kebony Clear line with a few new SKUs, including the RAP 90 Degree Shiplap cladding, which is a 4-¾-by-¾-inch lap siding product with or without a shadow line.