Pressure-Treated Wood

Pressure-Treated Wood 
Treated wood is favored for a variety of reasons: it has a natural appearance, its resistance to termites and rot is well established, wood is a plentiful and renewable resource, and treated wood is usually the most economical choice.

Longevity 
Preserved wood resists damage from termites and fungal decay for decades; some producers offer warranties that extend for the life of the purchaser. Preserved wood offers structural strength and ability to withstand deterioration in ground contact.

Appearance
Treated wood can be found in a variety of lumber grades -- from knot-free, close-grained grades to grades with more knots, splits, and wane (missing corners where bark once existed). Other than imparting a greenish or brownish hue, pressure-treatment has little effect on the appearance of wood; the treating process makes wood last longer regardless of its appearance.

Protection
Wood that has contact with the ground is more susceptible to termite and rot damage than wood which remains above ground. Wood immersed in seawater has even greater vulnerability.

The wood preservation industry has established standard levels of protection that are adequate for the different hazard conditions. The standards refer to the amount of chemical retained in wood after treatment, or retention, and is measured in pounds of preservative per cubic foot (pcf) of wood. Higher retention levels enable wood to withstand more demanding conditions. 


Maintenance
Most wood material requires some maintenance, for cleaning if nothing else. Pressure-treatment provides long-term protection against termites and rot, but even treated wood is subject to moisture damage. To protect wood against weather and premature aging, coat the wood with an effective brand of water repellent as soon as possible and then reapply a coating every year or so.

Environmental benefits
You can feel good about using preserved wood, an environmentally responsible choice. Treated lumber comes from our only major renewable building material -- wood. The trees used are plentiful and fast-growing, and they are grown on managed timberlands. Treated wood requires less energy to produce than alternative building products. The preservatives are manufactured, in large part, from recycled materials.
Most important for our environment, the treatment extends the life of wood. This enables wood to last longer, and it reduces demands on forests and other resources.