Pressure-Treating Broadens Wood’s Market Potential

As a structural material, wood has the disadvantages of being subject to burning, rotting, destruction by termites, shrinking and swelling, and weathering, and in addition it requires constant maintenance. One of the best ways to improve the market position of wood is to consider its deficiencies and then to minimize or eliminate them through application of treating processes. There is a trend toward increased use of treated wood products, particularly those used to impregnate lumber, plywood, and similar products. Though we do not have a universal impregnant, substances are available to minimize many of the problems caused by adverse conditions. Several new sports stadiums are equipped with seats treated with pentachlorophenol dissolved in a liquified gas; the treated wood is dry, paintable, and not distorted by swelling. Progress has also been made in the use of fire-retardant treatments; fire-protected wood is now recognized as a safe material by many insurance authorities and code officials. Though there are many applications that can be adequately filled with untreated wood, untreated wood is not satisfactory in many applications where wood conceivably might be used, and proper treatment can and will improve the saleability of lumber by increasing the range of uses for wood.

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