TFeated update

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

Listening to indusfy 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 perception ofdanger.

Redwood and cedar appear firmly

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 usually buy CCA for the undenfucture.

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 reated southern pine and doubtful of CCA rearcd Doug flr or hemfir quality feel it has the strength 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 more 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 counfy, sales of decking and fencing, 2x4s and 2x6s are reportedly increasing with ccA treated outdoor millwork well accepted. In some areas radius edge decking in various lengths is taking off.

Few dealers report success in selling CCA treated wood to 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 parts of the structure. Dealers anticipate litfle increase in CCA treated wood sales for building unless general construction codes are changed. Many feel builders need to be better informed on the advantages of pressure treated wood.

Decks are the mainstay of CCA fearcd wood sellers with the number built in the South exceeding the number built in the West. Treated lattice. fencing and millwork are gaining in popularity. As consumers learn more about color tinted and water repellent feated lumber, use of these products increases. Although sales are up, retailers 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.

The Merchant Magazine

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

In short, both Southern and Western retailers and wholesalers see CCA treated wood continuing to be a force in the market.

,' :,,.,.:.,.. ,,. ':.:... ',-,,'.:.. ....,,:,.:,,,,,.. .'.'. the... PoiCtqy, ot,freiteo' Wooa :, ,. By lluck Devenzio:, Hickson:,Com ':::: ::::::::::

' In tke, infpiriig ,iu,O,rrdi,,,,,ot S hake sp eatei|::By riini o r naybe Di. Seiss, the author',,itss creolcd a CCA tryated wood training course using, limerick - Editor.'

Reslstant to termltcs'and rot 'trt s the building miterial that's stood. You see it all over youi lhood; Te1gutes say oNot' And fungi wonlt go ',., For presgqle rmpqegnated wgod, Lots of applicatlons '

Itl$ ;uper for decks; I must say And for qlanterq & owindsem for flay. , Forwalls andfOr benshes, ', For poles, posts;,,and fenceg, And for bulkheads & docks on the bay.

Wldespread use, Itlsysed in the West every day ,,,And in places tbat seem far,away ,.

' :,'Sq4ta Fe tb facorna ,r"''"': enc even:ih Canada'efii ''' ] ' lj :. ::i . ': ;safe,when used as recom- * """. When buildlng a treated wood fence;, Your saf:-W sngUfa not ry4te:yos tensei. ::: Tbe nrles ae a snap; ' ^ ^ _ D"lll bym up lhe scxbp ,i And, then,'simply use common sense.

Environmentally responsible

What's right for our time?, Here's,a clue: It saves foregts.* and energy, too. To Eartb itls not rude 'Cause tees are renewed. Trg4ted wobd is thb answer, it's hue. ''''

Preventlve -"iot o.ote :::

CCA keeps the pests,ftom attacking, But:it doesn't stop walpihg & c*acking. Eyery year, rnaybe two, : Moistrrc proteetion'is due.'",,,, Thgn wood'srbeauty'll neVer be lacking ':

Cleanlng '.,,,

A fellow named Ponce from,nututn Had a deck tUat *aJ tooting uncoutb. : : Ta restore its demeanor , r Hb,u$eCaaect,.iieaher,' 'And fouhd his fountain uf youth. : .., :....m";lf-O.'ttf"pa#. . ..