ranchwood™ | Yellowstone | Western Red Cedar (STK) Fireline Pressure-Treated
THE VISION
A modern and elegant mountain design which embraces the natural beauty of the surroundings while prioritizing measures to safeguard against the ever-present wildfire risk. To achieve this vision the owner purposefully sought out specific building materials on the exterior facade to beautify and protect the structure.
THE SOLUTION
For this exceptional project, the owner chose Western Red Cedar, expertly finished in ranchwood™ Yellowstone, which added a visually stunning touch adjoining the natural stone facade. The selected natural wood material is fire-treated with Montana Timber Products proprietary Fireline™ Pressure-Treated. The residence stands as a testament to a perfect balance of elegance and protection.
Fireline™ Pressure-Treated Excellence: The Fireline™ Pressure-Treated wood fire treatment not only met the homeowner’s aesthetic preferences but also provided a key advantage in wildfire-prone regions. The treated wood is compliant with WUI (Wildland Urban Interface) and I-WUI (International Wildland Urban Interface) standards, offering peace of mind and increased protection against potential wildfires.
Aquafir™ | Snowdrift | Western Red Cedar (STK) Aquafir™ | Black | Western Red Cedar (STK) Aquafir™ | Natural | Western Red Cedar (STK)
THE VISION
An exquisite modern farmhouse design featuring an inviting artisanal white color scheme that gracefully contrasts with dark trim, beautifully accentuated by the warm and rustic tones of natural wood.
THE SOLUTION
The diverse color range offered by our Aquafir™ product line perfectly manifested the desired aesthetics and ambiance envisioned.
The subtle color variations inherent in natural wood bestowed a depth upon the home’s white finish that artificial materials simply cannot replicate.
The decision to complement the Snowdrift exterior cladding with Natural soffits and Black trim accents harmoniously tied together the overall design.
By aiming to be set apart in the neighborhood, this project achieved resounding success!
Siding & Trim – ranchwood™ | Tackroom | Circle Sawn | Cedar
Corbels, Timbers, Posts & Beams – ranchwood™ | Prairie | Hand Hewn | Douglas Fir
THE VISION
The homeowner’s vision was to create an inviting elegant residence that seamlessly blended natural elements while showcasing the beauty of handcrafted woodwork. They aimed to embrace the rustic charm inherent to the Show Me State, displaying sturdy and stalwart character.
THE SOLUTION
The homeowner made a deliberate choice of a circle sawn ranchwood™ Tackroom siding and hand hewn ranchwood™ Prairie timbers, skillfully complementing the lighter natural stone that graced the property.
This careful selection achieved a balanced and inviting aesthetic. By incorporating circle sawn and hand hewn natural wood elements, the homeowner added a touch of artistry and craftsmanship, infusing the residence with a warm and timeless elegance.
The result was a truly personalized space exhibiting the beauty of expertly crafted natural wood elements.
The vision for this project was to enhance the overall appeal of the private residence in Utah by incorporating charming wood ceiling cladding. The goal was to create a warm and inviting atmosphere while adding visual interest to the interior and exterior spaces.
THE SOLUTION
To achieve this vision, the design team chose the ranchwood Artisan series in the Ash color. This particular wood product offers a perfect blend of natural beauty and durability. The raked texture in Douglas Fir provides a rustic yet refined look that complements the overall design aesthetic of the residence. The natural grain patterns and warm tones of the wood create a cozy and inviting ambiance, making every room feel like a tranquil retreat.
Not only does the Artisan Ash wood ceiling enhance the visual appeal of the residence, but it also offers practical benefits. The Douglas Fir species is known for its strength and durability, ensuring long-lasting performance and resistance to wear and tear. The raked texture adds dimension and character, further enhancing the overall charm of the space.
Applications Soffit: Douglas Fir | Charwood | Tiger | 1×6” T&G Interior Ceiling: Douglas Fir | Charwood | Tiger | 1×6” T&G Horizontal Siding: Douglas Fir | Charwood | Tiger | 1×6” Shiplap Vertical Siding: Douglas Fir | Charwood | Midnight | 1×4” Shiplap
Product
Charwood™ | Tiger & Midnight | Douglas Fir
THE VISION
The design intention of this structure was to create a modern cabin with blurred lines between inside and outside spaces. Contrasting light and dark shou sugi ban was selected to energize the living quarters and calm the resting spaces. The building location is perfectly situated on a bouldered bench in a secluded valley of Central Washington.
THE SOLUTION
Midnight and Tiger Charwood™ were intentionally selected for a distinctive natural interior and exterior envelope on this secluded cabin retreat. The divergent char colors of this shou sugi ban inspired product instills a stunning contrastive aesthetic that flows naturally with the beauty that surrounds it. The line between inside and outside is ambiguous, allowing a cozy inside feel while surrounded by a striking mountainscape.
Applications Vertical Siding: 1×6″ and 1×8″ | Shiplap with ⅛” reveal Horizontal Siding: 2×10″ | Wire Brushed
Product ranchwood™ | Western + Tackroom + Yellowstone | Douglas Fir
The Vision
The owner of this Minnesota home wanted to transform a common engineered façade into a character-rich rancher home.
The Solution
This project utilized a variety of our mill capabilities with ranging textures, profiles, dimensions, and finish colorations. The vertical siding was both 1×6 and 1×8 boards milled in a shiplap profile with a 1/8” reveal and circle sawn texture. For the horizontal siding, they selected 2×12 boards in Pioneer texture.
This home had porch columns in place, so rather than replace them, we provided specified dimensioned materials to enable the fabrication of wood post wraps.
Vertical siding was used in the gables and was finished with a combination of tackroom and western colors.
Note: The 2×12 siding in Pioneer texture utilized chinking between the boards for a natural log appearance. We can mill many variations of this look to meet your design scope without needing to build with full logs.
Product AquaFir™ | Douglas Fir | White | Wire Brushed texture
THE VISION
Tupelo Honey serves southern foods with locations throughout the US. The atmosphere is warm and inviting, so natural wood cladding with a classic channel rustic profile was a perfect fit for the design of this restaurant.
THE SOLUTION
This Tupelo location sits on the second floor of a commercial building in downtown Boise. Our white colored finish is subtle and allows for natural wood grains to pop out. This soft wood tone is an excellent choice to counteract the hustle of the streets outside the balcony.
For the siding, they selected a channel rustic profile which is milled as a shiplap with a one inch reveal between the board faces. This design provides a shadowing effect, or otherwise breaking up the surface and creating more texture and space.
Fire Retardant Wood Treatments: Pressure-Treated vs. Topically Applied Solutions (updated 7/22/2025)
Posted on: February 24, 2023
Wood brings unmatched natural beauty and versatility to homes, commercial buildings, and outdoor spaces. However, its inherent flammability makes fire protection a priority for property owners and builders. A common and critical question is: ‘Is pressure treated wood fire resistant?’ It’s vital to understand that while standard pressure-treated wood offers resistance to rot and insects, it is not inherently fire-retardant and remains combustible. Understanding the latest fire-retardant wood treatments and certification options is crucial for both safety and code compliance. This article will discuss the differences between these two treatments, their benefits, and their compliance with Class A Fire Rating and Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) regulations.
Benefits of Utilizing a Fire Treatment
Enhanced safety: Reduces flame spread and smoke development.
Code compliance: Meets requirements for Class A Fire Rating and Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) standards.
Durability: Treatments improve wood’s resistance to fire and weathering.
Aesthetics: Maintains the organic look and feel of genuine wood.
What Are The Fire Rating Classifications?
The following is a basic overview of the fire rating classifications. The index values measure how fast and how far flame will spread over a certain material. Selecting the right fire-retardant product depends on fire rating requirements and local building codes. The ASTM E-84 (Standard Test Method for Surface Burning Characteristics) is commonly used to certify building products.
Class A (or Class 1) Fire Rating
The best fire resistance with the slowest flame spread index between 0-25.
Class B (or Class 2) Fire Rating
Moderate fire resistance with the flame spread index between 26-75.
Class C (or Class 3) Fire Rating
Meets minimum standard with the flame spread index between 76-200.
Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) Compliance
In wildfire-prone regions, meeting Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) standards is crucial. As defined by the U.S. Fire Administration, the WUI is:
“The zone of transition between unoccupied land and human development. It is the line, area or zone where structures and other human development meet or intermingle with undeveloped wildland or vegetative fuels.”
To achieve both a Class A rating and WUI compliance, materials must be ignition resistant, capable of resisting ignition from flying embers or radiant heat during a wildfire.
Pressure-Treated Fire Retardant (FRTW)
Unlike standard pressure-treated wood that protects against decay, pressure-treated fire retardant involves placing the wood in a high-pressure vessel where specific fire-retardant chemicals are forced deep into the wood fibers.. This deep-penetration method results in excellent, long-lasting protection against fire, rot, and insects.
Advantages:
Achieves and maintains Class A fire rating
Often required for WUI compliance
Durable and well-suited for demanding climates and high-risk zones
Considerations:
Typically more expensive than other methods
May slightly alter wood color, making it a shade or two darker
Is “Pressure-Treated” the Same as Fire-Treated?
Note, the use of pressure is a part of this fire retardant application process; but, “pressure-treating” wood doesn’t necessarily make it a non-combustible material. For instance, the “pressure-treated” wood at your local lumber yard might have a higher resistance to rot and decay; but, it doesn’t mean it was additionally treated for fire resistance.
Topical Fire Treatment
A fire-retardant coating is applied to the surface, typically sprayed to the wood after milling but before finishing and installation. This surface barrier slows ignition and flame spread.
Advantages:
Cost-effective solution for projects requiring only Class A certification
Minimal visual impact—any color change is usually subtle, depending on stain and wood species
Can be applied in-house, possibly shortening lead times
Considerations:
Not always suitable for WUI compliance; check with local authorities
May require reapplication if finish is sanded or removed
Will Fire Treatments Affect The Look Of Wood Siding?
Pressure treatment and spray-applied methods may both result in slight color changes. Pressure-treated wood is often a shade darker, while topical treatments can create very subtle shifts, especially with lighter stains. Always request finished samples for final approval and visual consistency.
Which Fire Retardant Solution is Best For You?
Your optimal fire-retardant wood treatment depends on:
Project location: WUI requirements vs. standard Class A compliance
Budget: Pressure treatment is generally pricier than spray-applied
Aesthetic preferences: Review control samples to assess any finish variations
Timeline: Onsite spray treatments may offer shorter lead times
While eliminating wildfires is not possible, there are viable options, while still using a renewable product like natural wood to help protect your property. Home hardening, which includes implementing fire-resistant exteriors and defensible spaces around structures, is a great first plan of action.
We have put together a free home hardening checklist full of tips and best practices to help guide you through the process of hardening your home from the threat of wildfires.
Vertical Siding: 1×8 | Driftwood | ShipLap Horizontal Siding: 1×6 | Battleship | ShipLap Soffit: 1×6 | Bronze Cedar | Tongue and Groove Fascia: 2×10 | Bronze Cedar | Square Edge Trim: 2×6 and 2×10 | Bronze Cedar | Square Edge Timbers, Posts, and Beams | Bronze Cedar | Wire Brushed
Product AquaFir™ | Driftwood + Battleship + Bronze Cedar | Wire Brushed | Douglas Fir
THE VISION
An inviting community pool house that both delivers on a traditional Colorado mountain design and complements the beauty of the natural elements that surround it.
THE SOLUTION
This project utilizes 3 different colors in our AquaFir™ line for an eye catching variance in aspect and elevation. The douglas fir substrate and handsome palette of colors was purposely chosen to fit the homeowner’s association’s architectural standards.
The contrast between the lighter Driftwood colored siding, darker Battleship, and the Bronze Cedar trim renders a unique light and brightness to this project. It welcomes guests to enjoy a day at the pool, or a warm soak in the jacuzzi after a long day on the slopes.
Applications Siding: 1×10 and 1×8 board and batten Fascia: 2×12 square edge boards Window Trim: 2×4 square edge material
Product ranchwood™ Artisan | Dusk | Pioneer texture | Douglas Fir
THE VISION
The stunning beauty of the Kootenay Rockies in British Columbia inspired the vision for a masterfully crafted residence that speaks to generations past. The intention was a harmony of new building materials with a look and texture of old world building methods.
THE SOLUTION
The client wanted the look of older hand textured wood with all of the benefits of using a new wood substrate. Our ranchwood™ Artisan was the perfect solution. For this house, the client selected our prefinished Dusk color and pioneer texture.
Our Pioneer texture is a heavily stressed hand hewn look with random cuts and adze markings.