Specialtyproducts broaden treated markets

AS THE treated wood market matures, demand is inFl creasing for non-traditional specialty products. Millwork items, fencing, treated plywood, prestained decking and water-resistant lumber for decks and patios will all gain in importance, reports Resource Information Systems, Inc.

"Significant volumes of regular CCA treated lumber production are expected to be replaced by a water resistant product and many lumberyards by mid-decade will carry just the water resistant item," they report.

The survey of consumer willingness to pay more for water repellent treated wood found over half responding positively to the idea of paying as much as 250lo more. Nationwide, 64.90/o of consumers asked said they would pay more; in the south, 50%; south central, 69.20lo; west, 66.70h', north east 82.60/o and north central, 50%.

In addition to accepting water repellent treated wood, consumers are looking at a generally broader range of treated products including color tinted lumber and specialty items such as millwork and outdoor furniture. Manufacturers are already introducing a variety of special treated products to the market, testing for acceptance and demand. Many items are do-it-yourself oriented while others aim at the contractor or remodeler trade.

CCA treated southern pine shakes are being produced by at least five companies. A taper sawn shake, the new product is considered to be energy efficient as well as durable. It is recommended for both residential and light commercial construction by the Southern Pine Marketing Council, which has a selection of informative literature on the product.

Pressure treated millwork is finding acceptance rapidly from both professional and d-i-y deck builders.

Special accessories including spindles, balusters, newel posts, hand rails and post tops add an elegant, finished look to the simplest of decks. Treated steps, moulding and lattice are gaining popularity because they make deck building an easier job. Deck modules and preassembled fence panels using treated wood are other popular convenience products. Longtime utility products such as decking and fencing continue to be basic building products.

Long a standby of landscape architects and home gardeners, landscape timbers are becoming more do-ityourself oriented with new engineering concepts that make them easier to use. Several manulacturers have designed products reminiscent of children's building blocks. These landscaping products assemble into planter boxes, borders, retaining walls and other garden projects.

Treated wood also gives extended life to outdoor furniture and play equipntent. Furniture lines are being expanded from basic picnic tables to include garden benches, loungers and chairs. Playground equipment ranges fronr elaborate combination swing, treehouse, ladder, slide units to simple or not so simple sandboxes, often done as d-i-y projects.

ln all cases, homeowners appear willing 1o pay slightly nrore lbr the durability added to outdoor structures by treated wood. The new specialty products are expanding the design possibilities of building outdoor pro.lects and adding convenience and sinrplicity to the .iob.

I)ealers who still think of C('A treated wood as a conrnrodity product need to get with it and investigate specialty products. Their custonrers rlre.

Story at a Glance

l{ew treated producls: simplified landscape timbers, millwork, outdoor fumiture and play equipment appeal to homeowner for durabaF ity and attraetiveness. additional cost is not seen as a problem.