When customers first see Kodiak by Thermory, they’re often struck by its rugged, textured surface. It’s bold. It’s natural. It’s extra wide (8”). It’s everything you’d expect from a product named after one of the most commanding forces in the Alaskan wilderness — the Kodiak bear.
But that first impression can come with a very understandable concern: “Will this splinter?”
Let’s set the record straight.
Why the Concern?
Kodiak is different from anything else on the market. Its brushed, knotted Spruce boards bring out the raw beauty of natural wood grain in a way that looks, well… rough. And that texture makes people think of splinters. It’s a natural mental leap — after all, most of us have had a bad run-in with splintery wood decking before.
As Jordan Russin, owner of Russin (Thermory USA’s Northeast distributor), puts it:
“Given that Kodiak is the only decking product (I’m familiar with) on the market that has a textured face, it throws customers for a loop. No one is accustomed to seeing a rough texture on a decking surface, and everyone has had the experience of getting a splinter on a wood deck…”
The concern is real — but here’s the important part:
“But here’s the thing: It never, ever happens. Never! For all the Kodiak decking we’ve sold over the years, we’ve had not one complaint about splintering, grain lifting, or the texture being tough underfoot….nada.”
What’s Actually Going On with the Surface?
The key to understanding why Kodiak doesn’t splinter lies in the brushing process — and Thermory’s thermal modification.
Kodiak’s face is brushed to raise the soft grain and bring out the natural texture of the wood. It gives that rustic, cabin-in-the-woods aesthetic people love, but it’s not a sign of instability. In fact, it’s the opposite. The brushing process helps remove the soft sapwood, which is typically the part of the board most likely to splinter.
As Cristian De Rosa, Thermory USA’s Outside Sales Representative, explains to customers:
“I clarify the brushing process and talk about how it’s just a change in texture… In my experience, I haven’t had an issue with splintering in any of our products.”
The Proof Is in the Performance
Kodiak isn’t just rugged in appearance — it’s built to perform. Like all exterior Thermory wood, it’s thermally modified using only heat and steam, penetrating to the core of the board. The result?
- 25+ years of rot resistance
- High dimensional stability
- Hidden clip installation option (a testament to how stable this board really is!)
- A consistent, heartwood-only appearance
As Jordan Russin emphasizes:
“It’s just so different than anything else on the market. It’s a beautiful, durable, sustainable wood decking option with industry-leading slip resistance.”
A Note on Samples and First Impressions
Initial skepticism can sometimes come from the sample boards themselves. As Darren Wales, Thermory USA Outside Sales, explains:
“Another component to this is that sometimes the sample edges have splintering from the saw cuts before they even leave the shop. Softwood decking can show tear-out when it’s cut, and people sometimes assume that means the whole product will keep splintering — which isn’t the case.”
It’s a fair concern — but often, it comes down to how the samples are cut. When crosscutting softwood like Kodiak, especially with a dull blade, the edges can experience tear-out. While we do our best to cut cleanly using sharp blades, this kind of sample edge roughness is common across the industry and doesn’t reflect the integrity or performance of the product once installed.
To help customers test the surface themselves, Darren often suggests:
“Take a paper towel and rub it on the brushed surface to see that the paper is not getting snagged.”
Beauty, Durability, and Confidence
Here’s the bottom line: Yes, Kodiak looks wild — that’s the point. It’s extra wide, textured, and bold. But beneath that rugged exterior is a highly engineered, performance-driven product.
Thermory’s thermal modification means you’re not getting rustic reclaimed barnwood (which, by the way, does splinter). You’re getting the stability and rot resistance that modern projects demand, paired with the backwoods character that customers crave.
Kodiak by Thermory is popping up all over the country with stunning results — from decks and privacy fences to cladding installations, saunas, parks, benches, and more. Its bold, daring appearance and lasting performance make it a standout choice in any setting.
So, the next time you’re considering a Kodiak project, remember:
It’s built to impress – not to splinter.
Learn more about the Kodiak collection or request a sample.
Image Credits: Maximiliano Vila. Kaplan Thompson Architects. Ethos Modular. Darren Setlow Photography.
