Ayous · Thermally Modified

Ayous

Noir

Product Samples

Samples for trade professionals (builders, contractors, architects, designers, etc) are always complimentary. For direct-to-consumer requests, a small cost may be required for each sample.

Samples for trade professionals (builders, contractors, architects, designers, etc) are always complimentary. Click here for more information.

$15 / sample

Available on

Select a category to learn more

For members of the Builder, Architect, and Design industries — Please use the form below to request complimentary samples of Hewn’s products. One of our representatives will follow-up shortly to place a complimentary sample order. You may also optionally note in your message which species, color, and textures you are looking to receive.

Exterior Siding & Interior Paneling

Hewn’s ThermoWood® Thermally Modified Ayous offers enhanced durability, stability, and resistance to rot, making it an ideal choice for exterior and interior wood applications. Its eco-friendly nature and superior performance, even in challenging environments, ensure long-lasting beauty and functionality. 

When combined with Hewn’s industry-leading finishing expertise and ability to customize finishes, the natural properties of ThermoWood® Thermally Modified Ayous are optimized to achieve superior aesthetic appeal and maximum protection against the elements. This combination makes Hewn a premier choice for Ayous paneling, delivering high-quality, visually stunning, and resilient wood solutions that stand the test of time.

Ayous - Brushed - Stone Grey - Sample
Ayous · Stone Grey

Lightweight and Reliable

Ayous, also known as obeche, is a tropical hardwood native to West Africa, particularly Nigeria, Ghana, and Cameroon. Historically, it has been extensively used for paneling due to its lightweight and smooth texture, becoming a preferred material in mid-20th century European and African architectural projects.

Specifications

Widths (Nominal)

1×6, 1×8, 2×4, 2×6, 2×8, 2×10, 2×12

Thickness

13/16″

Grade

Dominant CVG

Average Dried Weight

23.8 lbs/ft3 (380 kg/m3)

Processing

Thermally Modified
Chemical-Free Process

Janka Hardness

440 lbf (1,960 N)

Colors

Available in collection and custom color options

Textures

Brushed
Smooth Light Brushed *
Vertical Brushed †
Resawn *
Circle Sawn *

* Custom Option
† Available on Peppercorn, Desert Sand, and Mushroom

Lengths

Please note that Ayous lumber is cut to metric specifications rather than imperial measurements. As a result, the actual lengths will differ from nominal imperial dimensions. To ensure accurate planning and installation, please refer to the information below for specific length adjustments and tolerances.

Net length on 6′-19′: -1/4” to -1″ nominal length
Net length on 20′: -2” nominal length
Recommended waste factor for Ayous is 12%

Ayous - Brushed - Driftwood - Sample
Ayous · Driftwood

A Refined Look

Hewn’s Thermally Modified Ayous is distinguished by its largely uniform straight grain and general absence of knots, offering a smooth and consistent appearance ideal for high-end architectural projects. This grade enhances the wood’s aesthetic appeal, ensuring a refined finish that is both elegant and clean. The thermal modification process further improves the wood’s durability and stability, making it an excellent choice for exterior cladding and siding applications.

While this material contains a significant amount of Vertical Grain, our Ayous will contain some Mixed Grain as well.

Documentation

Noir - Ayous by Hewn

Ayous Box Beams

Hewn’s ThermoWood® Thermally Modified Ayous offers enhanced durability, stability, and resistance to rot, making it an ideal choice for exterior and interior wood applications. Its eco-friendly nature and superior performance, even in challenging environments, ensure long-lasting beauty and functionality. 

When combined with Hewn’s industry-leading finishing expertise and ability to customize finishes, the natural properties of ThermoWood® Thermally Modified Ayous are optimized to achieve superior aesthetic appeal and maximum protection against the elements. This combination makes Hewn a premier choice for Ayous box beams, delivering high-quality, visually stunning, and resilient wood solutions that stand the test of time.

Beam Textures

(Displayed in Ayous · Burlap)

Brushed

Nylon brushed texture with a consistent thickness

Specifications

Material

Ayous

Grade

Dominant CVG

Material Thickness

13/16″

Lengths

4′ to 15′6″ (Single Board)
15′6″ to ∞ (With Joint)

Max Width & Height

7 ¾″ (Single Board)
15 ½″ (One Glue Seam)

Widths greater than 31″ require multiple glue seams

Colors

Available in both Standard and Custom color options

Textures

Brushed

Joints

Lap Joint
Lock Joint
Butt Joint
Assembled Scarf

Lengths & Widths

One piece Ayous box beam lengths are available from 4’ to 15’6″. For lengths longer than 15’6″, you can choose one of our joint options. All of our box beams are completely customizable to the specifications of your project. For Ayous we offer standard widths from 3″ to 7¾″, and extended widths (requiring a glue-up) from 7⅞″ to 22″. We also offer custom color matching and custom color formulations to ensure that our product is perfect for your installations.

End Caps

Our optional end caps are offered in two variants: Standard Grain and End Grain. Our Standard Grain features the same texture and finish found on the face of our beams. Our End Grain features a real wood cross-section, with visible tree rings.

Standard Grain

End Grain

Straps & Joint Options

For Ayous beam lengths longer than 15’6″, you can choose one of our joint options shown below. We also offer solid metal beam straps, in both a smooth and hammered texture, to accompany your chosen joint option. All straps are made-to-order to your specific dimensions, and are individually shaped for every beam.

Beam joints are not grain-matched. They are not designed to be invisible to the eye.

Lap Joint
Lock joint beam connection diagram
Lock Joint
Butt Joint
Butt Joint
Assembled Scarf

Lap Joint

Lock Joint

Butt Joint

Assembled Scarf

Configurations

(Custom assemblies available upon request)

Two-Sided

Two-sided hewn beam profile diagram

Three-Sided

Three-sided hewn beam profile diagram

Four-Sided

Four-sided hewn beam profile diagram

Consistent & Lightweight

Ayous is known for its consistent grain, workable structure, and comparatively light overall weight. That combination makes it a compelling choice for box beam applications where a clean wood presence is desired without the visual and physical heaviness of a denser species.

Ayous - Brushed - Saddle - Sample
Ayous · Saddle

Custom Options

Hewn’s Ayous Box Beams can be customized to fit the individual needs and specifications of your particular project. Our finely skilled craftsmen can modify nearly any part of our in-house process to create a material designed according to your specifications, and our color technicians can match any shade or tone provided to us as part of our custom sampling process. 

Documentation

Noir - Ayous by Hewn

Ayous

Documentation

Noir - Ayous by Hewn

Ayous Decking

Documentation

Noir - Ayous by Hewn

Ayous · Accessories

Documentation

Noir - Ayous by Hewn

Ayous · Shipwreck

Documentation

Noir - Ayous by Hewn

Ayous · Accessories

Documentation

Noir - Ayous by Hewn

Additional Ayous · Thermally Modified Colors