TFeated update

I\TOT too long ago, CCA rreared Il wood's future was deemed doubtful by some because of EPA intervention. Today, thanks to a ploduct that works hard and a pro-active industry creating a positive image, the gloom is gone.

Listening to industry talk, it's evident if anything is threatening the continued success of CCA pressure treated southern pine in the marketplace, it's competing products - redwood, cedar, lumber composites and other methods of treating - not a p€rception of danger.

Redwood and cedar appear frmly

Story at a Glance

What's happening with CCA treated wood ... results of industry education program.

entrenched in high end markets. As one dealer said in a haughty tone, "Treated is never considered by our customers." Despite limited availability and high prices, redwood and cedar will always be "the woods" in certain outdoor markets. However, dealers say deck builders u5ually bu] CCA for the undenEucture.

Lumber substitutes such as Mobil's wood-polymer composite decking material Trex are gaining in some areas for decks, docks and walkways. Big Bear, Ca., Forest Service, Oregon Bureau of Land Management and Lake Arrowhead, Ca., dock builders are using it successfully.

Chemonite treated Douglas fir is thought by a few to be replacing CCA treated wood on the West Coast. Building officials unfamiliar with CCA neated southem pine and doubtful of CCA treated Doug fir or hemfir quality feel it has the srength to withstand earthquakes. Some San Francisco Bay and Oakland area building codes now specify Chemonite treated Douglas fir. Chemonite treated Doug fir poles are being sold into Florida and Virginia.

Chemonite treated Doug fir is about 5Vo more expensive than CCA treated Doug fir and considerably more expensive than CCA treated southern pine. Western warehouse stores frequently stock CCA treated SYP. Since the boards are sometimes in poor condition, the impression grows that its quality is low. CCA treated southern yellow pine often suffers from Western yard conditions, gathering moisture after the bands are cut and distorting.

West Coast treaters are using mce southern pine. At least two San Francisco area dealers are selling CCA treated southern pine for decks. With more marketing and informational programs, CCA treated southern pine could become as acceptable in the West as it is in the South.

Across the country, sales of decking and fencing, 2x4s and 2x6s are reportedly increasing with CCA treded outdoor millwork well accepted. In some areas radius edge decking in various lengths is taking off.

Few dealers report success in selling CCA Eeated wood ro builders for anything more than plates and sills required by code. Use in foundations is minimal. CCA treated wood for "wet areas" such as bathrooms and laundry rooms is a hard sell, one dealer noted. Little ccA treated wood is being used for fascia or other pars of the strucu:re. Dealers anticipate little increase in CCA Eeated wood sales for building unless general construction codes are changed. Many feel builders need [o be better inforrred on the advantages of pressure treated wood.

Decks are the mainstay of CCA treated wood sellers with the number built in the South exceeding the nunber built in the West. Treared lauice, fencing and millwork are gaining in popularity. As consumers learn more about color tinted and water repellent. treated lumber, use of these products increases. Although sales are up, rerrilers see room for growth.

Ironically, environmental regulations are creating a new market for CCA pressure treated wood. Because designers of golf courses, parks and other outdoor facilities in many areas are not allowed to develop paths or disturb nature, it is being used to build walkways bridging the protected vegetation or wet lands.

Despite the negative press a few years ago, retailers find few consumers with major concerns about CCA r,eated wood safety. Most are comfortable with the product. A Southern association executive summed it up for all retailers, "CCA treated wood is an environmentally positive producr"

In short, both Soutbern and Western retailers and wholesalers see CCA treated wood continuing !o be a force in the marker

The Poetry of Treated Wood By

HuctDeYenzh

Hictson Gorp.

In the inspiring tradition of Shakcspcarc, Byroa, or malbc Dr. Seuss, tlu autbr ltas crcacd a Cf,,tI treated wood tmiaing corrcc usiag ltuwri&.t-Miron

Redrilent to tcnnllcs rnd rot

Ife thc building materfoil 6at'e *od. You see it all oYer pur tood

Ternires say'No'

Andfingirontgo

For pesure impepaEd wood.

I"otsof eppllcedos

It's super for decks, I mrst say, And for plaoters & swingset for pley, For walls and for bencbes. For pole+ poets, snd feoces, And fc bulkhesds & docts on tbc bay.

Wlde4readuse

It's us€d in the South everyday And in pbes tbatseem faraway hom Savamalto Atrsdn Orlando to Bostoo.

And eren in Camda, eh?

Srle when used es rccommended When building a [,erEd ruood ferce, Your safety sbouH mtm*s )'ou Ense. Tbe d€s de I sn4p: Dont burn up the scrap

An4 then, simply use ommu scose.

F,nvhormcnf elly rcaondblc heventlve melntcnenae

Wbat's rigbt for our tic? Hcro's a cbcr. ft saves forests - End eo6gy, too. To Earth itb notnrdc Cause uees are reoewed. Treated wood is tbc ansrcr, it's tre.

CCA keeps thc pests frour aEding, But it doesn't stop waping & crrctiog. Evcry year,maybc tvo, Moistue Fotection is due.

Tben c,oods bcauty1 never be laclCng.

Cl€atNlng

A fellow nasred Poirce fiom Duluth Had a deck tbat waslooking uncoutt To restorc ie dem€aoor He used adec&clcaner. And found his fountri't of youtb. BuildlgPrcilnds Dlgd(