If you look at the construction industry in recent years, we are sure that you will notice a huge difference. There is one huge addition that one may typically notice is the use of treated wood in construction. In fact, experts in the construction and lumber industry consider it to be the most popular trend in recent times.
There are several brands that deal in treated wood in India or elsewhere. But, Hillwood is perhaps one brand that has revolutionised the industry. In fact, the company has introduced several chemical treatment processes that help protect the wood from natural damage.
If you are new to the construction world, you may be not much aware of what is a treated wood and why it is preferred by builders and home owners.
What is treated wood?
Treated wood refers to the timberwood that has undergone a specialised chemical preservation process. This chemical processing improves the properties of the wood in several ways.
Treated wood goes through the treatment through preservative chemicals that improve its lifespan and makes it better than the untreated wood.
The chemical preservation process improves the resistance to decay, fungal attack and insect related damage to the timber. This wood preservation technique involves infusing the lumber with chemical preservatives. This would create a protective barrier that extends the wood’s lifespan significantly.
The chemical impregnation makes sure that the preservatives enter deeper into the fibers of the timber. It goes a long way in providing comprehensive protection against biological threats.
Hillwood uses a really innovative approach to treated hardwood manufacturing. We use premium Merbau wood sourced from Papua. This also subjects it to rigorous chemical treatment protocols.
Pros of Treated Wood
How about understanding treated lumber and the pros that it offers you? We will list out a few pros that you can get access to.
High durability
The primary advantage of using treated wood lies in the high degree of durability that it offers you. The chemical process creates a robust defence against the primary causes of wood deterioration. It includes protection against the fungal decay, wood boring insects, and moisture-related damage.
Pressure treated wood offers a remarkable resistance to rot and decay. If you choose a properly treated wood, you should get at least 20 to 40 years of outdoor applications and over 60 years of indoor applications.
The treated wood also comes with robust antimicrobial properties. It prevents the growth of fungi.
Longer lifespan
A treated window is known to have an extended lifespan. Builders and those in the construction field rate this to be the ultimate and advantage of treated wood. Treated wood can retain its structural integrity even for decades.
There are several modern chemical preservation techniques used in treating the wood. Some of the prominent names in this context include Alkaline Copper Quaternary (ACQ) and Micronised Copper Azole (MCA). These techniques provide you the properties such as superior moisture resistance, UV protection, and biological protection compared to traditional treatments.
Hillwood specialises in rigorous quality testing protocols that guarantee that each piece meets stringent durability standards, providing customers with confidence in their investment.
Cons of Treated Wood
As with any technology, treated wood also comes with a few issues and cons. Understanding them, along with the benefits, should make it a wiser decision to weigh the pros and cons.
They may cost a little more.
Of course, the treated wood offers a robust performance characteristic. However, this also means you would need to spend a bit more on the treated wood. The pressure treatment process, chemical preservatives, and specialised equipment required for wood preservation are a few factors that contribute to the increased cost when compared to the untreated wood.
The cost difference between the treated and untreated wood would ideally come to around 20 to 40%. The actual cost of the treated wood is dependent on the treatment type, retention levels, and specific preservative systems employed.
But wait – even when you are spending more initially, the longer lifespan offsets the extra cost. The lack of any need for replacement and reduced maintenance requirements further make it a viable option despite the higher cost.
The cost of chemical treatment also depends on a few other external factors. These may include the type of timber, application requirements and environmental exposure on the timber. If you want the treated wood for ground level applications, you would need a higher preservative level.
Concerns about chemical leaching
Treated wood can result in chemical leaching in soil and water. The preservative materials used in the treated wood can migrate from the treated surface when exposed to the moisture or rain.
The chemical leaching can be caused due to several reasons. It may include the type of preservative treatment, wood surface area, soil moisture levels, and environmental pH conditions. The leaching process is most significant during the first few months of use, with levels gradually decreasing over time.
Maintenance and Finishing Challenges
Treated wood may present unique challenges on its own. The chemical treatment process creates a dense, moisture-laden surface that resists penetration from most conventional wood stains and protective finishes.
You may have a few issues with the newly treated lumber. Most experts recommend waiting 3-6 months for pressure treated wood to dry sufficiently before applying any finish, with moisture content needing to drop below 15% for optimal results.
Environmental and Disposal Concerns
Treated wood can pose a concern when it comes to disposal. The treated lumber requires specialised disposal methods to prevent environmental contamination. Some regions may have landfill restrictions or even limit the treated wood disposal.
The chemicals used in pressure treatment, particularly arsenic, chromium, and copper compounds, can leach into surrounding soil and groundwater when buried in traditional landfills. Some regions may also restrict the burning of treated wood.
You may come across recycling restrictions on the treated wood. The embedded chemicals prevent the material from being composted, chipped for mulch, or processed through standard wood recycling facilities.
Usage of treated wood
Treated wood applications range across multiple areas and industrial sectors. However, the outdoor constructions are one of the excellent options from this perspective.
Outdoor applications
The primary outdoor applications of treated wood include decking, fencing, pergolas, retaining walls, and landscaping structures. The treated wood is resistant to weathering, UV degradation, and biological attack. This should make it a robust choice for use in outdoor applications.
Marine applications
This is yet another significant application of treated wood. These would include dock construction, piers, waterfront structures, and marine pilings. Specialised marine-grade treatments provide enhanced protection against saltwater corrosion and marine borers.
Industrial applications
The industrial applications of treated wood include utility poles, railroad ties, transmission structures, and agricultural buildings. Treated wood offers high strength and chemical resistance of treated timber, and that makes it a worthy option for industrial applications.
Furniture manufacturing
The industry uses treated wood for outdoor furniture, garden furniture, and commercial seating applications. The aesthetic appeal combined with practical durability makes treated lumber an attractive option for furniture designers and manufacturers.
Conclusion
Treated wood represents a transformative advancement in India’s construction industry, offering superior durability, pest resistance, and longevity compared to traditional untreated lumber. As Hillwood, India’s first treated hardwood company, continues to pioneer innovative preservation technologies, the adoption of pressure treated timber is expected to accelerate across various construction sectors.
For construction projects requiring superior durability, pest resistance, and long-term performance, treated wood offers an ideal combination of practical benefits and economic value. Whether for residential construction, commercial buildings, outdoor structures, or industrial applications, pressure treated lumber provides the reliability and longevity that modern construction demands in India’s diverse and challenging climate conditions.
FAQs
What is treated wood, and how is it different from regular wood?
Treated wood is a timber that has its properties and lifespan improved through the infusion of preservative chemicals. It creates a protective shield against moisture, pests, and fungal decay. That makes it the best option for outdoors and high humidity applications. Regular wood is left and used in its natural state. It offers a good look and suits indoor applications. However, it is more vulnerable to warping, rotting, and termite damage when exposed to changing weather or direct soil contact.
How long does treated wood last?
If you maintain it well, treated wood can last up to 30 years in an outdoor environment. In indoor environments, it would last for more than 60 years. Outdoor applications benefit the most from this longevity, making it a cost-effective choice for construction.
Are all treated wood products the same?
No, the treated wood can differ based on multiple factors. These may include wood species, preservative chemicals used, and the intended application. Always check the type of treated wood before choosing it for a specific functionality.