Kebony
Kebony is a modified wood product made for exterior projects that need natural woodbeauty, strong durability, and a lower-maintenance alternative to many traditional outdoor lumber options. At Mason’s Mill, we supply Kebony decking, cladding, related hardware, and samples for architects, builders, remodelers, designers, and homeowners planning high-quality exterior projects.
Why choose Kebony for exterior wood projects?
Kebony gives exterior projects the warmth of natural wood without relying on tropical hardwoods. The product starts with sustainably sourced wood and is modified with a bio-based liquid that becomes permanently bonded inside the wood fibers, creating a stable, hard,and durable material. Kebony states that the result is suitable for exterior applications where durability, environmental credentials, and low maintenance matter.
Kebony is often considered for projects where the design calls for real wood, clean lines, and long service life. It can be used for decking, cladding, flooring, roofing, windows, doors, furniture, and design objects, according to Kebony’s FAQ documentation.
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Ayous / African Mahogany — Cutek Extreme Clear Finish
Ayous (Triplochiton scleroxylon), also known as Obeche, African Whitewood, Samba, or Wawa, is a lightweight tropical hardwood native to the forests of West and Central Africa. In its natural, unmodified state, Ayous has a pale cream to light yellow heartwood with a straight to slightly interlocked grain and a medium-to-coarse texture with good natural luster. It's frequently grouped with — and sold alongside — African Mahogany because of its similar workability, dimensional characteristics, and the way it accepts stains and finishes to achieve rich, mahogany-like tones.
Ayous is prized for several reasons that make it well-suited to architectural and millwork applications: it's remarkably lightweight (roughly 24 lbs/ft³), which eases handling for vertical siding, ceiling, and overhead installations; it has low shrinkage and good dimensional behavior once properly dried; and its clear, knot-free character grades produce a smooth, uniform surface ideal for high-visibility finish work. In its natural state, Ayous is considered non-durable to moderately durable against decay, which is why exterior applications require a quality penetrating finish to protect the wood and extend its service life.
Each board is finished with Cutek Extreme Clear, a penetrating oil specifically formulated to stabilize exterior wood from within. Unlike surface coatings that sit on top of the board and eventually peel, crack, or flake, Cutek carries its oils deep into the wood fibers where they work continuously to reduce moisture movement — the primary cause of cupping, checking, warping, and end-splitting. This is especially important for a species like Ayous, whose natural durability benefits significantly from a stabilizing oil. Because Cutek penetrates rather than films, maintenance requires no sanding or stripping — just clean the surface and reapply when it looks dry. The clear formulation adds no pigment, allowing the Ayous's natural cream-to-honey tone to show through initially before gradually silvering to a soft gray patina if left unmaintained with a colortone.
Because Ayous can react with iron and galvanized fasteners (causing black staining), stainless steel fixings are required for installation. Pre-drilling is also recommended, as the wood can be brittle.
Ideal for architectural siding, feature walls, soffits, porch ceilings, interior paneling, sauna applications, and covered outdoor living areas where a lightweight, workable hardwood with a refined appearance is desired.
Specifications
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Species | Ayous (Triplochiton scleroxylon) |
| Also Known As | Obeche, African Whitewood, Samba, Wawa; often sold alongside African Mahogany |
| Origin | West and Central Africa |
| Modification | None — natural, kiln-dried |
| Finish | Cutek Extreme Clear (penetrating oil) |
| Finish Type | Oil-based, non-film-forming |
| Color | Natural pale cream to light yellow; darkens slightly with age; accepts stains beautifully to achieve mahogany-like tones |
| Grade | Clear grade available; virtually knot-free |
| Grain / Texture | Straight to slightly interlocked grain; medium-to-coarse texture; good natural luster |
| Janka Hardness | ~440 lbf |
| Average Dried Weight | 23.8 lbs/ft³ (380 kg/m³) — lightweight |
| Specific Gravity | 0.32 (basic), 0.38 (12% MC) |
| Modulus of Rupture | 8,680 lbf/in² |
| Elastic Modulus | 934,000 lbf/in² |
| Shrinkage | Radial 3.1%, Tangential 5.3%, Volumetric 8.7% (T/R ratio 1.7) |
| Natural Durability | Non-durable to moderately durable — finish required for exterior use |
| Workability | Machines and finishes well; sands smoothly; accepts stains and oils evenly |
| Applications | Exterior siding (with finish), feature walls, soffits, porch ceilings, interior paneling, sauna walls/ceilings, millwork, trim |
| Fixings | Stainless steel required — Ayous reacts with iron and galvanized fasteners; pre-drilling recommended |
| Maintenance | Clean and re-oil with Cutek Extreme as needed — no sanding or stripping required |
| Sustainability | FSC-certified options available |
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Kebony Technology
Kebony uses a patented wood modification process that combines bio-based liquid infusion with heat. The process permanently thickens the cell walls of the wood, which improves stability, hardness, and durability compared with the original wood species.
This is different from standard heat-treated timber. Kebony describes its process as bio-based liquid infusion plus heat, while heat-treated timber relies on high temperature alone. Kebony says the modification changes the wood’s cell walls, while heat treatment does not alter the cell structure in the same way.
This technology helps Kebony perform more like a premium exterior wood while using more sustainable source material. For builders and architects, that means a natural wood option for projects where tropical hardwoods may not be the preferred specification.
Frequently Asked Questions
Kebony is a modified wood product designed for exterior applications such as decking, cladding, siding, furniture, and architectural features. It uses a patented process that combines bio-based liquid infusion with heat to improve the wood's stability, hardness, and durability.
Yes. Kebony is real wood that has been modified to improve performance. It starts with sustainably sourced timber and is treated with a bio-based liquid that becomes permanently bonded inside the wood fibers.
Kebony can be used for decking, cladding, flooring, roofing, windows, doors, furniture, and design objects. At Mason's Mill, common project uses include decks, siding accents, exterior cladding, outdoor living areas, and architectural wood details.
Kebony does not require special maintenance beyond normal cleaning, but it can be oiled, stained, or painted to reduce the graying effect or change the color. If left unfinished outdoors, Kebony naturally develops a silver-grey patina over time.
Kebony can typically be cleaned with water and a brush. For mold or algae, use water mixed with ordinary household cleaning agents or detergents suitable for exterior use, then rinse with clean water.
Kebony states that high-pressure washers are generally not recommended. If used, the washer should be equipped with suitable brushes that reduce and diffuse the water jet, and water jets should never be applied directly to the wood surface.
Kebony is a strong candidate for Houston exterior projects where the design calls for natural wood, durability, and lower maintenance. It is suitable for decking, cladding, siding accents, outdoor structures, and architectural exterior details.
Kebony decking, samples, and related hardware are available through Mason's Mill & Lumber Co. in Houston, Texas. Contact the Mason's Mill team for availability, quotes, samples, and project guidance.
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