Ambara® Ayous 1x12, surfaced four sides. A wide clear board for trim, fascia, frieze and corner boards, or for open board-and-gap cladding.
Ambara® is Nova's thermally modified Ayous (Triplochiton scleroxylon, also traded as Obeche). The boards are modified in a closed system using only heat and steam — no chemicals — which alters the cell structure so the wood no longer takes on moisture the way it did. The even caramel color that comes out of that process runs all the way through the board, so a cut end or a ripped edge still matches the face. The finished board is Class 1 durability.
It is the closest thing we stock to clear Western Red Cedar, and it moves far less: under 2% in thickness and width, so courses stay flat and reveals stay even through a wet winter and a dry summer. At 320 kg/m³ it is light to handle, and Nova's process leaves it able to take a nail near the edge without splitting.
Ambara is siding, cladding, ceiling, soffit and trim stock — never decking. At 285 lbf Janka it is a soft wood; thermal modification buys durability and stability, not strength. Do not use it for decks, stair treads, or anything load-bearing.
Left unfinished it weathers to a silver-gray much like Cedar. To keep the caramel tone, finish all four sides before installation with a UV-blocking stain and plan on a maintenance coat every two to five years. Fasten with 304 stainless as a minimum, 316 near salt water.
- Grade: FAS clear, mixed grain (about 70% vertical grain)
- Size: 1x12 nominal, 3/4" × 11-1/4" net
- Lengths: 8–20′. Stock item; specific lengths are subject to availability (18–20′ especially).
- Species: Thermally modified Ayous, Triplochiton scleroxylon
- Durability: Class 1
- Shipping weight: 1.5 lb per lineal foot (1.5 lb per board foot)
- Certification: OLB; FSC® available on larger orders
Nova Ambara™, aka Thermally Modified Ayous, resembles a clear grade Aye & Btr Western Red Cedar in appearance. Ayous has an even cream color in its natural form but Nova's unique thermal modification process changes this to a caramel brown or tan color that is very appealing and lends itself well for a clear or walnut color stain. The thermal modification creates a grade that is extremely stable and durable - this is what makes Ambara the best choice in thermally modified wood. Ambara™ compares favorably with Western Red Cedar for use as trim boards, siding, cladding, pergolas and more. Ambara™ is a softer, light weight species making it ideal for installation on walls and ceilings. It can be nailed or screwed, and clips can be applied to create a complete hidden fastening look.
- Color
- Light yellow color, sapwood not clearly demarcated. The wood becomes a caramel brown when thermally modified.
- Grain
- Straight or interlocked
- Texture
- Medium texture
- Durability
- Naturally a Class 5 durability, indoor use only. Nova runs its thermal modification to a Thermo D schedule, which takes Ambara™ to Class 1 durability for exterior use. Comparable to clear all heart Western Red Cedar.
- Working
- Ordinary mild steel recommmended. Easy to work and install. Peeling and slicing of non thermally modified Ayous are not known to have any issues.
- Drying
- Rapid with low risk of checking and distortion. No known of collapse or case hardening.
- Common uses
- Because Ambara™ is thermally modified, it can be used for both exterior and interior uses. Typical applications include trim boards, ceilings, soffits, and siding. Non-modified Ayous should never be used outdoors. Ambara is for siding and paneling only — it is not suitable for decking, stair treads or any structural use. Thermal modification buys durability and stability, not load-bearing strength.
- Origin
- Abundant in West Africa, and available with OLB and FSC certification from certified sustaible forestry.
- Botanical family
- Malvaceae
- Also known as
- Ayous, Triplochiton scleroxylon, Obeche, West African Cedar, Abachi, Wawa, Sambawawa, Ambara™
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