[dotancohen]

Does it remain so stiff for decades, as would be needed in construction? Many wood treatments' effectiveness fades after time.

[flir]

My assumption is that it would. Steam-bent wood stays bent once it cools and the lignin sets. It's a lot like thermoforming plastic.

There's another advantage of putting wood through a heating-and-cooling cycle: you remove internal stresses that cause it to twist.

[kragen]

I'm curious about that too. See my comments at https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=44027557 for more.

[dotancohen]

Thanks, I actually just read that and replied there as well. I didn't even notice it was from the same person.

You've been extremely informative and helpful, thank you.

[kragen]

Thank you! I am not a specialist in the area so I may be overlooking something important.