Creating a luxurious, warm, and inviting facade for a villa is a critical aspect of high-end residential design. The choice of material plays a pivotal role in achieving this aesthetic while ensuring long-term durability and low maintenance. In this brief guide, we explore the reasons why Vulcan Wood by Abodo can be an excellent option to create a luxurious and warm effect. We will broadly look at the main points of how it offers a good solution to the problems faced by other real wood options and makes it particularly suited for the diverse and challenging climate in India, Nepal, Bhutan, UAE and other such regions.

Why Vulcan?

The #1 reason anyone would choose Vulcan wood is because of its aesthetic. Being 100% real wood, you would agree that the look and feel of natural real wood can’t be exactly matched by synthetic products such as WPC etc. However, consumers and designers have a valid point when they mention certain shortcomings of real wood products and try to solve them using synthetic alternates. This is exactly where Vulcan scores! Modified using heat, steam and additional processes including smart engineering to handle the shortcomings of natural timber & WPC while retaining the natural beauty of real wood. This patented process by Abodo offers superior stability and durability, making it an excellent choice for exterior cladding. Here’s why Vulcan wood stands out:

1. Amazing looks with outstanding stability: The band-sawn texture on the surface of Vulcan LVG profiles gives them an amazing texture that is generally not available with regular wood species. Additionally, by using the patented modification process, Abodo ensures that Vulcan wood has minimal expansion and contraction, reducing the risk of warping or cupping tremendously thus making it look beautiful for years to come.

As a comparison, see the pictures below of a typical normal wooden cladding done with regular wood on a residential facade vs a Vulcan cladding facade in India. While both are 100% real wood, notice the difference in the overall look after some years of actual application in a similar climate zone.

Excessive undulation!

Vulcan Cladding as Facade – Notice the straightness of Vulcan wood* even after years of exposure!
*Vulcan comes with varying performance characteristics and price ranges. Choosing the right Vulcan profile is crucial to achieve the desired performance level. Reach out to your Span Floors representative for appropriate advice.
2. Low Maintenance & Durability: With its reduced resin content and anti-termite treatment (if needed), Vulcan stays straighter for longer thus reducing the chance of it needing sanding and straightening over the years. In addition, anti termite treated Vulcan is highly resistant to termites and fungal decay.

Combined with Abodo’s specially developed Protector oil, it retains color for longer than most oils on the market. A visit to some of the old sites where Vulcan cladding/decking has been installed would be beneficial for one to see how Vulcan weathers over a period of time in order to set correct expectations.

Vulcan Cladding coated with Protector Oil

3. Environmental Sustainability: Abodo Vulcan wood is sourced from well-managed plantation Radiata forests in New Zealand and is FSC® certified, making it an environmentally friendly option. It is a general misconception that all wood is not environmentally friendly. Sustainably sourced wood products are in fact highly friendly to our environment as they help store large amounts of Carbon Dioxide inside them. This gas is one of the greenhouse gasses responsible for heating up our atmosphere. So when you make a product out of wood, you lock that much of CO2 inside which would have otherwise contributed to even more heating of the atmosphere.

4. Versatile Aesthetics: Available in a range of finishes and profiles, Vulcan wood can be tailored to achieve various design aesthetics, from modern sleek lines to traditional warm finishes.

Vulcan Cladding in Sioo:x finish!

Photo credit – © Abodo

Photography by Dolf Vermeulen
Vulcan Cladding in Ebony finish!

Photo credit – © Abodo

Photography by Anjie Blair

Checklist for designing with Vulcan Wood

Now that you know more about Vulcan, here are a few tips that can help create an ultra low maintenance facade.

  • If you are planning to use Vulcan on a fully exposed facade, apply 2 coats of Colored Protector oil in a tone that works with your overall aesthetic. This will delay the graying of the wood and reduce the needed maintenance. Follow the maintenance guidelines to get the best out of your Vulcan.
  • Another way to reduce maintenance costs would be to use Vulcan on north elevation or areas under eaves or on soffits (balcony ceilings). Reduced exposure to direct sunlight would significantly reduce maintenance for the homeowner. 
  • Incorporate design elements that allow for proper airflow behind the wood cladding. This will keep the cladding dry after rain thus increasing its life.

Conclusion:

By choosing Vulcan, designers and architects can create luxurious, warm, and welcoming facades that are both aesthetically pleasing and low maintenance. Vulcan’s superior stability, resistance to pests, and environmental credentials make it an ideal choice for Indian climates, ensuring your design stands the test of time while requiring minimal upkeep.

Feel free to reach out to us via mobile +91 99715 09922 / +91 92120 96387 or email us at floors@spanfloors.com for any assistance in specifying Vulcan.

Until Next Time!

Satinder Chawla
Founder