Accoya Approved Manufacturer VA

by Gepetto Millworks | Apr 21, 2024 | Custom Millwork, Wooden Shutters, Wooden Windows

Accoya Approved Manufacturer

We have been using Accoya Acetylated wood for exterior applications since it’s introduction into the United States market in 2012.

Acetylated wood stands truer and weather’s better – read the acdemic articles below to start your education for specifiying the ‘foundation’ of your project.

Accoya Now American Made

“We are excited to be a part of the Kingsport community ,” said Rod Graf, general manager of Accoya USA.

“Our cutting-edge building will enhance capacity, create local jobs, and foster community. We are also eager to work with the Tennessee College of Applied Technology and the Regional Center for Advanced Manufacturing to become a preferred employer in the region as production begins.”

Virginia Expert Manufacture

Matt Wiley has been building with Accoya Acetylated Wood for over 10 years!

High quality one of a kind builds made in Virginia.

Specify Accoya

“Acetylated lumber wins accolades for its performance and small environmental footprint” ~ Green Building Advisor

Unlike most pressure-treated wood, acetylated lumber doesn’t contain any copper or biocides that can leach into the environment over time. The treatment renders the wood harder, more dimensionally stable and immune to insects. Accoya lasts for 50 years above grade, 25 years in contact with the ground or submerged in fresh water, and has a service life of 70 years, according to its manufacturer.

Build From the Foundation

You understand the metaphor if you’re a builder. We are limited in our ability to deliver a ‘straight’ product, by straight lumber! In order to deliver your dream piece, we need quality lumber that will not warp or twist and it is becoming harder to source. Just like you wouldn’t want your foundation to be 1/8th out of square, we don’t want our raw materials to move 1/8th of an inch after they are machined to size.

Accoya Acetylated Wood Manufacturer Virginia

Acetylation BY ROGER M. ROWELL ~ 4 SEPTEMBER 2006

The Vikings burned the outside of their ships to make them water resistant and flame retardant without knowing anything about hydrophobicity or the insulating properties of char!

Long before we had formal wood science, we had a long history of observations on the properties and performance of wood. It was well known that wood swelled and shrunk with water, that wood decayed, that wood burned, and that wood was degraded by the sun. People took advantage of the positive properties and also learned to design around wood’s weaknesses. As we started to understand the properties and performance of wood, we discovered that the properties of wood are, for the most part, a result of the chemistry of its cell wall components.

Combining all of the art and science of wood recorded from ancient times to the present, we have discovered that if you change the chemistry of wood, you change its properties and, therefore, you change its performance.

From this foundation, the science of chemical modification of wood was born. We first learn by observation, progress by experimentation, and finally advance through understanding. We learned to use wood, accepting that it changes dimensions with changing moisture content (MC),

Chemical modification of wood can be defined as a process of bonding a reactive simple chemical to a reactive part of a cell wall polymer, with or without catalyst,
to form a covalent bond between the two. Chemical modification of wood has historically been used to:
1) isolate various cell wall components;
2) study differences in properties as a result of changing the chemistry;
3) improve the performance properties of wood.

Many chemical reaction systems have been published for the modification of wood and the systems have been reviewed in the literature. The chemicals include anhydrides, acid chlorides, ketene carboxylic acids, isocyanates, formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, difunctional aldehydes, chloral, phthaldehydic acid, and epoxides .

None of the studies of the chemical modification of wood and other lignocellulosic resources have gone past the research stage, except acetylation.

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“Our sales in North America increased by 44% between fiscal years 2021 and 2022, and we continue to see strong demand for Accoya,” said John Alexander, group sales director. “Once operational, our Accoya 2022 production volumes will be doubled at the Kingsport site.”

The Kingsport facility, which will be operational in early 2024, will provide the North American market, while the Netherlands plant will supply the rest of the world. The American reactors are now on their way from Europe and will arrive in Kingsport in January 2023.

“We are excited to be a part of the Kingsport community and watch the development of the US facility,” said Rod Graf, general manager of Accoya USA. “Our cutting-edge building materials will enhance capacity, create local jobs, and foster community. We are also eager to work with the Tennessee College of Applied Technology and the Regional Center for Advanced Manufacturing to become a preferred employer in the region as production begins.”

North America Expansion : Wood & Panel

Historic Wooden WIndows Pressure TEsted Performance

Accoya Acetylated Project Gallery

Historic Look

Smooth Swing bearings and weather durable fittings

Steel Core

Historically Accurate wooden gates

Mated with Steel core elements for the best of both materials.

Historic Detailing

Fully Mortized Spindles on an Arc!

Take a moment and notice all the wonderful details from the matching profile and scale at the gate frame top to the under hinge trim profile.

Building Science Explained:

Historically Accurate Wooden Shutters

by Gepetto Millworks | Mar 19, 2024 | Custom Millwork, Wooden Shutters

Handmade Wooden Shutters

Handmade Wooden Shutters are a fixture in Virginia Historic Preservation

Gepetto has specific tooling and craftsmen to supply historic renovation

Accurate Materials and Technique

Accurate Materials and Technique restore with integrity to the core.

Historic preservation supplier for millwork, doors, windows and shutters

Made In Virginia

Your choice of Gepetto to supply your projects

Keeps the trade knowledge alive in VA

One Of A Kind

Whether working from rotted out existing

or fabricating to match historic record
Gepetto craftsmen match drawings or photographs

with historically accurate technique

Historically Accurate Shutters

In the annals of architectural history, Virginia stands as a testament to the enduring legacy of American craftsmanship and design. From the colonial era through the antebellum period, the architectural landscape of Virginia evolved alongside social, political, and technological changes. One element that quietly reflects this progression is the humble shutter – an architectural detail often overlooked but integral to both form and function in historic buildings.

Colonial Virginia: Utilitarian Beginnings

In the early colonial period of the 17th century, Virginia’s architecture was pragmatic, reflecting the challenges of the New World. Buildings were typically constructed with locally available materials, and practicality dictated design. Early settlers, facing the harsh realities of Virginia’s climate and occasional skirmishes with indigenous peoples, sought to protect their homes from the elements and potential threats.

Shutters in colonial Virginia were primarily utilitarian in nature. They served as simple barriers against weather and intruders, constructed from wood and hinged to the sides of windows or doors. These shutters were often plain, lacking elaborate decoration, and were designed to be functional above all else. Colonial architectural styles such as the Cape Cod and Georgian influences were prevalent, with shutters complementing the symmetry and simplicity of these designs.

The Federal Period: Elegance and Symmetry

As Virginia transitioned into the Federal period in the late 18th century, architectural tastes shifted towards neoclassical elegance and symmetry. Influenced by the ideals of the Enlightenment and the architectural principles of ancient Greece and Rome, Federal style buildings in Virginia exuded refinement and sophistication.

Shutters during this period became more than just functional elements; they became integral components of architectural composition. Shutters were often painted in muted colors to complement the façade of the building, and decorative elements such as raised panels and louvered slats were introduced to add visual interest. The proportion and placement of shutters became carefully considered, contributing to the overall symmetry and balance of Federal style architecture.

Antebellum Virginia: Romantic Revival and Regional Variations

The antebellum period in Virginia witnessed a resurgence of interest in historical revival styles, inspired by romanticized notions of the past and a growing sense of regional identity. Architectural tastes became more eclectic, drawing from a variety of historical influences ranging from Greek Revival to Gothic Revival.

Shutters during the antebellum period reflected this diversity of styles. In rural areas, where agricultural wealth fueled the construction of grand plantation homes, shutters often featured elaborate detailing such as scrollwork and intricate louver patterns. In urban centers like Richmond and Alexandria, where mercantile prosperity thrived, shutters embraced the refined simplicity of Greek Revival and Italianate styles.

Preservation Challenges and Strategies

Today, preserving Virginia’s historic architecture, including its shutters, presents both challenges and opportunities. The passage of time, coupled with natural disasters and human intervention, has taken its toll on many historic buildings. Preservation efforts must balance the need to maintain historical integrity with modern-day functionality and safety standards.

One challenge in preserving historic shutters is ensuring their structural integrity. Many shutters from the colonial and Federal periods have succumbed to rot, insect damage, and general wear and tear. Preservationists must carefully assess the condition of existing shutters and employ appropriate conservation techniques, such as repair or replacement with historically accurate materials.

Another challenge lies in maintaining the visual authenticity of historic shutters. Over time, alterations and renovations may have resulted in the removal or alteration of original shutters. In such cases, preservationists may turn to archival research and historical documentation to recreate missing or damaged shutters, ensuring that new additions blend seamlessly with the original architectural fabric.

In the tapestry of Virginia’s architectural heritage, shutters serve as both functional elements and aesthetic adornments, reflecting the evolving tastes and technologies of their respective time periods. From the utilitarian simplicity of colonial Virginia to the neoclassical elegance of the Federal period and the eclectic revival styles of the antebellum era, shutters have played a vital role in shaping the character of Virginia’s built environment.

As stewards of Virginia’s architectural legacy, preservationists must remain vigilant in their efforts to safeguard historic buildings and their associated elements, including shutters. By embracing a holistic approach to preservation that balances conservation with adaptation, we can ensure that future generations continue to appreciate and cherish the rich architectural heritage of Virginia’s past.