The best is getting better

A S SALES of treated wood have F increased, so have the expectations of users. In response, producers are looking to research for the means to satisly consumer desires and give the product added value.

Once used almost exclusively for railroad ties, utility poles and piling, pressure treated wood found new markets with the introduction in 1933 of Wolmanized wood. a clean building material protected by a waterborne preservative, followed by an Osmose product in 1935.

Nevertheless, sales grew slowly and primary applications remained in industrial, marine and utility projects. In the early '70s, few retailers stocked treated wood and its nrincipal residential use was as sill plate. But, in 1974, the first major promotional campaign aimed at do-it-yourselfers was undertaken in Chicaso for Outdoor wood.

Until then, homeowners had accepted the inevitability of replacing wood destroyed by rot or termites or both. Pressure treated lumber was welcomed by do-it-yourselfers as a "miracle" wood.

Today, however, termite and fungi resistance is no longer considered miraculous. Consumers want more. They want wood that not only lasts, but also looks good and stays goodlooking. They have become increasingly dissatisfied with the checking, splintering and warping that are inherent characteristics of wood as it weathers and ages. Users wanl a building material with the natural appearance and workability of wood, but with the uniformity and stability of a manufactured product.

Producers of treated wood and wood treating chemicals are attempting to develop this ideal building material through the mixing of additives with the preservatlve.

Some treaters, for example. have mold inhibitors in their treating solution to control unsightly discoloration of lumber. And, a giant step has been taken toward the ultimate wood with the availability of water repellent treated lumber, the biggest product improvement in pressure treated wood since the introduction of CCA preservative.

In the production of water repellent wood, a specially formulated water repellent is forced into the wood along with the preservative. The result is lumber that offers benefits to dealers, builders and homeowners. lt is lar less likely to suffer dimensional change and checking. There is less yard loss, better margins and fewer customer complaints.

Three companies now offer a water repellent for treated lumber: CSl, Hickson Corp. and Osmose Wood Preserving, Inc. (See accompanying chart.)

Story at a Glance

Mold inhibitors, water repellents, color add value to treated wood... uniformity and stability meet demands of consumers... help keep sales strong.

Just as water repellency has satisfied a consumer need since 1970 when introduced by Osmose and promises to become the norm in pressure treated lumber, experiments in applying color in the treating process off,er the opportunity to eliminate the "green" common to many treated products.

Presently, there are two methods of adding color to treated wood in commercial practice.

In one system, a color additive is in oressure treated wood, such as adding a water repellent, foreshadow added values beyond decay and termite resistance. pumped into the treating cylinder in a secondary step aflter the wood has been impregnated with preservative. This is a comparatively simple operation for the treater. The other system uses a semi-transparent pigmented stain applied to the wood outside the cylinder prior to treatment. This method eflectively colors the wood, but requires treaters to install a separate operation.

At present, Osmose has Sunwood which is described as being produced with "a combination of color additives and CCA-C preservatives forced into the wood during the pressure treatment to achieve an appearance similar to redwood which mellows to stimulate the weathering characteristics of other natural wood species."

CSI offers two color products for the treated industry: Celbronze I and Designwood ll. Celbronze I, the older of the two, was originally designed for use on timber to produce a walnut brown color. Designwood II is a new generation colorant developed to provide a "cleaner and more fade resistant redwood color," according to a company spokesperson.

Hickson Corp. currently is working to discover what they term "a practical answer" to incorporating a lasting stain that works as a com- patible component of the treating process. They say their "goal is to find a stain additive that can be applied in the cylinder, in one step, without reducing preservative qualities or causing production problems."

Eventually, treating additives will probably provide properties not even considered today. One thing is certain. Treated wood will continue to be improved with value added to become an even better building product as the years go by.

CUST0MERS who work hard on oressure treated wood oroducts want them to last. Dealers can do their part by recommending the best fasteners and finishes.

El ECOMMENDING correct

I l fasteners and finishes will help you cut call backs and complaints on pressure treated wood sales.

If a pressure treated wood project is to last as long as the 40 years plus guaranteed service life of the wood, corrosion resistant fasteners, either nails or deck screws must be used. Fasteners which rust will leave dark streaks on the wood, discolor the finish and eventually lose their holding power.

Proper finishes will protect pressure treated wood from exposure to the elements. Like any lumber, pressure treated material will soak up water, expand and warp or split and crack as the moisture evaporates and the wood dries.

As a dealer you can make sure that your customers get the optimum service from pressure treated wood by educating your staff on the proper recommendations for fasteners and finishes. In addition you can provide customers with handouts explaining the need for using corrosion resistant fasteners and applying a protective finish.

The Uniform Building Code, Section 2510, requires fasteners for pressure or fire-retardant-treated wood to be hot-dipped zinc-coated