February 9, 2012 – Orlando, FL | Builders, remodelers, deck professionals and their homeowner customers have a new choice for long-lasting, real wood decking: Perennial Wood™ decking. Perennial Wood is real wood made to endure through TruLast™ Technology. It resists changes from moisture and remains dimensionally stable – three times more stable than unmodified wood – for decades. The modification process makes it less susceptible to the shrinking and swelling that lead to cracking, cupping and warping. Best of all, TruLast Technology provides a physical barrier throughout the wood that’s warranted to protect against rot, decay and movement for 25 years.
“Perennial Wood decking provides the best of both worlds: long-lasting decking with the authenticity of real wood,” said Jim Flickinger, market development manager for Perennial Wood decking. “Trade professionals can work with a material they know and trust, real wood, and homeowners get a beautiful deck that will last.”
Workability of Wood
Because Perennial Wood decking is real wood, no special tools are needed. It cuts, drills, planes, sands and fastens just like natural wood. Stainless steel fasteners are recommended to prevent corroded fasteners from bleeding into the wood.
A Complete, Prefinished System
Perennial Wood decking includes a complete system of deck boards, top and bottom rails, balusters, posts, stair treads and fascia. Each piece comes with a two-step, factory-finish in a choice of four stains: Cape Cod Gray, Cedar, Mahogany or Redwood, for a consistent look, and less time spent on finishing. Unfinished end cuts will not compromise the integrity and longevity of the wood because Perennial Wood is modified throughout. For cosmetic retouching, Perennial Wood Deck Finish is available for end cuts and incidental scratches.
Renewing the Finish
Similar to most outdoor building materials, years of exposure to the sun and other elements will cause the finish on Perennial Wood to patina naturally. If homeowners want to renew the finish for aesthetic reasons, they have several options:
Refresh the finish by cleaning with a neutral pH deck cleaner
Re-stain the deck in the same finish color
Re-color the deck by stripping the old finish color and applying new
It is important to note that while finishes naturally wear off over time, Perennial Wood is modified throughout and unaffected by a faded finish. It will remain more dimensionally stable, straighter and harder than other decking materials.
Availability
Perennial Wood decking and related components are available in New England at approximately 100 Lowe’s stores, and select building materials retailers and deck dealers in New England. To find a location, visit: PerennialWood.com. Consumers and trade professionals can receive updates on new market introductions and new applications at PerennialWood.com.
Professional Resources
CAD drawings, installation instructions and technical specifications are all available at PerennialWood.com.
About TruLast Technology
Perennial Wood is made possible by TruLast Technology, a proprietary process that permanently transforms the wood’s cellular structure throughout using heat, pressure and an organic compound to replace water-loving (hydrophilic) groups in the wood’s cells with water-hating (hydrophobic) groups. The result is real wood made to endure.
About Eastman
Perennial Wood is made and manufactured by Eastman Chemical Company (NYSE: EMN), a Fortune 500 company with more than 80 years of history in acetylating wood pulp. In 2010, 13 percent of Eastman’s total revenues were derived from sales of raw materials to the building and construction industry. Eastman is actively engaged with Responsible Care® and is committed to continuously improving its sustainability performance through innovative, environmentally and socially responsible solutions. For more information on Perennial Wood, visit PerennialWood.com or call 800.530.7495.
