The specification process for advanced building materials has just received a noteworthy upgrade. James Latham, the UK’s leading independent distributor of timber, panels, and decorative surfaces, has officially launched “Explore Accoya,” an innovative digital platform designed to completely reimagine how architects, designers, contractors, and specifiers engage with one of the world’s most high-performance and sustainable timbers.
This launch represents a pivotal moment in the ongoing digitalisation of the timber industry, moving beyond static data sheets to offer an immersive, interactive, and all-in-one technical resource. Building on the established success of Latham’s existing Digital Showroom and Cladding Visualiser tools, Explore Accoya takes the user experience a substantial step further, celebrating the versatile and durable modified timber like never before.
Accoya, known for its superior stability and durability achieved through a unique, non-toxic acetylation process, is a material of choice for demanding applications such as exterior cladding, decking, windows, and doors. The new platform, developed in close collaboration with the creative agency Cyon, is a testament to the long-running, strategic partnership between James Latham—which holds the UK’s broadest and deepest stock of the material—and Accsys, the manufacturer of Accoya.
Getting under the skin of the ‘Wonder-Material’
The driving force behind the Explore Accoya platform is the need to combine the inspirational aspects of design with the critical demands of technical specification.
While visually stunning, the new website is much more than a product gallery. It acts as a comprehensive, singular information hub, providing professionals with everything they need to confidently specify Accoya for any project. Key resources include:
- Technical detail: Up-to-date data sheets, certificates, and detailed information on the acetylation process that provides Accoya’s Class 1 durability rating and impressive 50-year above-ground warranty.
- Application guidance: Video and written advice covering essential topics such as correct machining, finishing techniques, crucial fixing guides, and recommended coatings that perform optimally on the highly stable timber.
- Sustainability credentials: Easy access to the material’s environmental documentation, including its sourcing from FSC-certified forests and its low-carbon footprint, addresses the growing demand for green building products in the UK.
As Stuart Devoil, Group Head of Marketing at James Latham, notes, the goal was dual-focused: “I think it’s just as good technically as it is visually,” ensuring that the tool is valuable for both initial design inspiration and final construction detailing.
What truly sets Explore Accoya apart from conventional online catalogues is its high level of user interactivity and visual realism, directly addressing a key pain point for architects and designers.
360° real-world context
The most powerful feature is the integrated 3D visualiser. This tool empowers users to move beyond two-dimensional imagery by offering two specially developed 360° visualisations that contextualise Accoya in real-world settings:
- Residential cladding: Users can see how various Accoya profiles and finishes work on a contemporary home façade.
- Commercial applications: An external modern office area, complete with outdoor meeting pods, demonstrates the material’s potential for high-traffic, non-traditional uses.
Within these immersive environments, users can click specific ‘touch points’ to instantly reveal full product information, technical specifications, and, crucially, move seamlessly to request a sample of the exact profile and finish they are viewing. This intuitive journey drastically speeds up the selection process, allowing specifiers to ‘imagine that’ finish and receive a tactile sample in a streamlined operation.
The platform also highlights the additional services provided by James Latham that simplify the specification-to-purchase pipeline for busy construction professionals. These added-value elements cement the distributor’s reputation as a true partner in the supply chain:
- Unrivalled stock & rapid delivery: Assurance of immediate access to the UK’s deepest stock profiles, backed by nationwide distribution capability.
- Expert technical support: Access to a network of in-house specialists, often referred to as ‘Accoya Champions’ at each depot, who provide high-level advice on everything from bespoke machining requirements to complex installation queries.
- Inspirational case studies: A gallery of high-demand and unusual projects, showcasing the material’s versatility in challenging environments, such as coastal regions or areas requiring exceptional dimensional stability.
Laura Keily, Head of Marketing at Accoya, commented on the platform’s success: “It offers a seamless user experience that truly brings the benefits of Accoya to life. As a comprehensive one-stop shop, it serves architects, specifiers, and manufacturers alike, making it easier than ever to explore and source Accoya wood.”
By fusing cutting-edge digital technology with deep technical detail, James Latham’s Explore Accoya platform is setting a new industry standard for engaging the design and construction communities, ensuring high-performance, sustainable timber remains central to the future of UK building.
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