Hurford-Roasted-Facts
                     Introduction
Hurford Roasted is a process that has been developed to enhance timber flooring properties. It uses ultrahigh 
temperature and humidity to change the molecular structure of the hardwood and creates an extremely stable, more 
durable, denser product while darkening the natural colour.
Heating wood to extreme temperatures permanently changes several of its chemical and physical properties. The 
change in properties is mainly caused by thermic degrading of hemicelluloses. The Hurford Roasting process is carried 
out in a purpose built Kiln in which the temperature is increased to 185–215 ºC, depending on the processing level.
Colour Change 
The colour of the wood fibre changes drastically as the ultrahigh temperature is introduced – the higher the 
temperature, the darker the change to colour of the fibre is. The colour change is permanent and penetrates the 
entire piece of hardwood, thus eliminating the need to stain flooring to achieve a rich dark coffee brown colour.
Hurford Roasted
Colour change with temperature increase
220
210
200
190
180
170
Colour darkens as the 
160 temperature in the 
150 process is increased
LIGHT MEDIUM DARK DARKEST
Colour change
Increase Stability
The Hurford Roasted process increases greatly the stability of flooring. The process reduces the normal shrinkage 
and swelling that traditional Kiln Dried hardwood can experience by up to 50%, making it an ideal flooring product.
Increase Durability
The Hurford Roasted process increases the natural durability by 3 to 4 times greater than the same species 
unroasted, without the use of chemicals to treat the timber. 
The Environment
Since no chemicals are required and only water and heat are used, the Hurford Roasted process is extremely 
environmentally friendly.
What happens to the wood?
Increased surface hardness
Darker colour
Equilibrium moisture Improved resistance to decay
10 - 50% smaller than in depending on the level
untreated wood of treatment
Less absorption of moisture
Resins dry out
or evaporate Improved weather resistance
Moisture deformation reduced by 30 - 90% Postal Address: P.o. Box 6366,
compared to normal wood south Lismore nsW 2480, australia
Phone: +61(2) 6621 9886
Disclaimer – All timber species have a variety of colours, grain and texture and variations of colour within a timber species are normal, 
therefore photographs, samples and display floors can only be indicative of the colour range of the timber species nominated. Fax: +61(2) 6621 7680
This project is supported by funding from the Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry under its Forest Email: [email protected]
Industries Development Fund program. Website: www.hardwood.com.au
Temperature increase
H u r f o r d  r o a s t e d  I n f o r m a t I o n  s H e e t