It is basically pressure treated lumber that uses preservative of NatureWood. This preservative has alkaline copper quaternary which provides long-term protection to exposed exteriors and the ones in contact with the ground. In this copper treatment, wood is injected with an organic quaternary compound. NatureWood treated lumber works great deck understructures and fences.
How safe is it?
It is said that the new quaternary compounds used in the preservatives are organic and safer than the inorganic compounds used in CCA. However, the new preservatives are safer because they’re made from hydrogen and carbon and are thus less toxic, not because they are organic.
They are also safe for the environment as no harmful waste is produced during the manufacturing of quaternary compounds. However, you can’t burn the copper-containing preservatives as they produce toxic smoke and ashes when burning. Also, make sure that you wear dust masks and gloves when handling pressure-treated lumber.
Advantages of NatureWood Treated Lumber
Treated wood offers a long list of unique benefits that make it a must-have building material for your upcoming projects:
1. Water resistance
Natural wood, when left wet or moist, softens quickly and may allow bacteria or fungus which may, in turn, lead to decomposition of wood. Pressure-treated lumber, on the other hand, uses a copper-containing chemical which is actually a natural biocide. This natural biocide protects the wood against fungus, bacteria, and other microorganisms that cause wood decomposition.
2. Fire Resistance
Fire damage is one of the most hazardous threats to wooden buildings. However, if you use NatureWood treated lumber, your building is safe from any such damage. It is because you can also use fire retardant chemicals to treat lumber just like fungal resistant and moisture resistant chemicals.
3. Range of Sizes
It comes in a wide range of sizes for various applications. For building purposes, treated lumber comes in standard sizes such as two by four, two by six or two by ten. For, posts, there are square cross-sections and round cross-sections. It is also available in form of planks for deck flooring, as well in various other styles for customized Flooring Calgary.
4. Durability
As compared to natural wood, treated lumber is much more durable and lasts longer in any environment it is exposed to, no matter if there is moisture or excessive heat. Its fungal and insect resistant properties also help it perform better than natural wood in terms of durability. Moreover, as treated lumber is denser than natural wood, it also has more strength.
5. Easy to Use
When compared to building materials like steel or stone, treated lumber is much lighter and thus easy to move. It can be easily cut into any shape of any size using a saw. Also, treated lumber is very easy to work with as nails easily penetrate through it and it doesn’t require techniques such as welding to shape it; it can be easily shaped using routers. Almost anything can be constructed quickly using a pressure treated lumber. It is a versatile building material and can serve any construction project.
Cost of NatureWood Treated Lumber
To increase the effectiveness of preservatives, their copper content is substantially increased. This is why you have to pay slightly more than you pay for CCA lumber. The exact cost varies as the amount of chemical added varies.
Maintenance of Treated Lumber
Any type of wood, whether treated or not, has to be protected with high-quality stain or finish. This finish or stain has to be water repellent to save the floor against damage due to moisture. It will help prevent warping and splitting. The first thing you have to do is check if your wood product is treated with factory-applied water repellent or not. This can be checked by looking at the end tag. If it is not already treated with water repellent then apply it on the surface after thoroughly cleaning it. If you go for a semi-transparent stain that contains water repellent, then make sure your wood surface is dry before application. Also, first apply the water repellent on a small area and check if it is giving the intended results before applying it on the whole floor. Lastly, keep in mind that water repellent has to be reapplied after every 12-18 months to save your wooden floor from any kind of moisture damage.
