Pressure treatment is a method applied to wood to preserve or extend its life and certain properties such as durability, strength, and resistance to termites, moisture, fire, and general wear and tear. The process involves forcing preservatives and chemicals inside wood fibers under specific pressure-vacuum conditions.
Wood treatment is usually considered one of the most effective methods to improve the value and life of timber. However, there are also some side effects of using pressure-treated wood.
What Is the Purpose & Use of Pressure-Treated Wood?
Out of all the species of wood available in nature, only a few are naturally durable in terms of resistance to termites, decay, fire, etc. Naturally durable wood can be rare and expensive, which is why pressure treatment is used for making other woods more durable and resistant through artificial means.
Pressure-treated wood is less prone to damage by insects, decay, rot, and wear & tear and is considered suitable for a range of applications, particularly those involving heavy uses, probability of wear and tear, exposure to moisture, etc. Common applications of pressure-treated timber include flooring, outdoor furniture, decking, sheds, pergolas, general construction, etc.
Which Wood Species Are Suitable for Pressure Treatment?
Pressure treatment is particularly applied to woods that aren’t naturally durable or resistant to moisture. Most softwoods like pine, spruce, and fir are non-durable or moderately durable, and pressure treatment is used to enhance their strength and durability.
Pressure Treated Wood Decking
Wood is generally a great choice for building decks. It gives a natural appearance to your place and is easy to maintain. However, some wood species are less durable than others, which is why pressure-treated wood is used for decking.
Whether you are planning to replace your existing deck or install a new one, pressure-treated wood is one of the most common options you would come across when looking for the best material for the deck.
Pressure-treated wood is a very common and popular choice for decking because it is a durable material that can withstand exposure to moisture and weather conditions. A wood deck can add a more natural appearance to your patio or porch. Furthermore, treated wood decks are generally less expensive than naturally durable hardwoods.
If you are planning to buy or use pressure-treated wood for your decking, here’s everything you need to know about the pros and cons of pressure-treated wood decks.
Advantages of Pressure-Treated Wood Decks
Pressure-treated timber is considered better than other decking materials, including hardwoods, in many ways, including cost, versatility, durability, need for maintenance, ease of repair, appearance, and more.
Cost
Pressure-treated pine is generally less expensive than other popular decking wood options, including cedar, teak, ipe, redwood, and mahogany. Many of these woods are quite rare and expensive. It is also more affordable to maintain and care for treated wood decks than other decking materials. Treated timber is even cheaper than composite decking.
Strength & Durability
Pressure-treated wood can be as durable as many hardwoods in terms of resistance to moisture, decay, dents, scratches, insects, termites, and wear. In fact, pressure treatment can help extend the life of wood by at least a few years by increasing its strength and durability.
Natural Appearance
One of the best benefits of pressure-treated decking is that you are using real wood in your deck while also getting the benefit of high durability and insect resistance without having to pay for costlier options like mahogany or redwood. There is no match to the natural appearance of wood for decking.
Versatility
Pressure-treated wood is a wonderful option when you are looking to customise your decking according to your needs, such as to match the existing setup of your exterior. It can be seamlessly painted or stained to achieve the appearance you want.
Ease of Maintenance
Pressure-treated wood deck is comparatively easier and cost-effective to maintain or repair. If a part of the deck is damaged or dented, it can be inexpensively repaired or replaced without the need to change the entire deck.
Resistant to Insects
Other than being resistant to moisture and decay, pressure-treated wood decks are also protected from insect attacks. The treatment process involves the use of certain chemicals that repel insects and bugs that can harm wood. Your pressure-treated deck will keep these bugs away from your house and maintain the look and quality of the deck for a long time.
Covered with Warranty
Thanks to the popularity and increasing demand for pressure-treated decks, many manufacturers now offer a long-term warranty on these products, which includes a warranty against damage by decay and termites or insects.
Disadvantages of Pressure-Treated Wood Decking
Pressure-treated wood behaves like normal wood and is prone to things that affect real wood, including damage due to age, colour fading due to exposure to the sun, etc. Additionally, the presence of chemicals in the treated wood can have some side effects if not handled carefully.
Fading of colour
Like natural wood, treated timber is also prone to fading of colour. When your deck is constantly exposed to the sun for a long time, its colour might start fading to a lighter or greyish hue. Application of paint or stain may be needed to delay the fading process.
Splinters
Like real wood, treated wood will also splinter over time. It refers to the process of wood starting to break into very thin, sharp pieces, which can be harmful to people.
Checking
Checking is another common phenomenon of wood. This involves wood starting to split apart due to extensive drying. This happens due to constant outdoor exposure, which can cause the wood to dry and wet repeatedly. Water sealant is applied to reduce the effects of checking in wooden decks.
High Cost of Maintenance
Because natural wood is prone to fading, splitting and checking due to changes in weather, it requires constant caring, which includes annual staining or painting and the application of a penetrating sealer at least once every year to reduce checking. All this can considerably increase the cost of your wood decking.
Health Risks Due to Chemicals
Treated wood involves the use of certain chemicals and preservatives that can be harmful to humans, pets, and the environment if not handled properly. Burning treated wood, for instance, can release toxic fumes into the air and pollute the environment. Also, it may not be safe for food to be in direct contact with treated wood surfaces.
If you are planning to use treated wood decks in your house, make sure to hire an expert to get them installed. Avoid doing it yourself. Take proper care and follow precautions when using pressure-treated timber.
Where to Buy?
You can buy pressure-treated wood decks from your local lumberyard or timber supplier. Many online wood suppliers also sell treated wood, which you can find using Google based on your location.
If you are looking to buy solid wood or timber for decking or any other purpose, you can check out White Knight Consulting LTD for a wide range of high-quality, sustainable hardwoods and softwoods. All our wood is available at wholesale prices and can be delivered to your location anywhere in Europe, Asia, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Australia, Canada, and other major countries. Contact us to know more.
