How Is Pressure-Treated Wood Made?
Good Wood Needs Protection Wood is a wonderful building material for its flexibility, strength and aesthetic appeal. Unfortunately, wood also has many natural enemies, as it’s highly susceptible to deterioration from pests, moisture and microbes. In order for wood to last a long time without losing its strength, it usually is treated through some industrial process. Pressure treatment is one of the most important and widely used of these processes and is available commercially. Pressure-treated wood used in everything from home construction to power poles. Chemical Treatment Pressure treatment involves two steps. First, the wood is treated with preservatives. These chemicals make the wood unappetizing to pests and resistant to water. Depending on the wood’s purpose, different types of preservatives can be used with varying preservative qualities. Some are water-based, which is generally preferred for wood used in indoor applications where pests are a problem. Others are oil-based, whic
