History and Development of Wood Preservation for Millwork

Although wood has always served admirably as a construction material, it was recognized that decay and staining did occasionally occur. In 1935 a study was initiated of stain and decay in finished wood products, such as sashes, which were exposed to considerable moisture during service. The results showed the value of certain chlorinated phenol formulations. The Preservation Standards Committee had its first meeting in the fall of 1936 and proposed a “Code of Minimum Standards for Millwork Preservatives” and set up a “Seal of Approval” program. In 1957 over 85 percent of all stock sash was treated according to this standard. It was then proposed that an Advisory Committee be organized to consider various methods of studying preservative solutions and their efficiencies, and methods for testing. The meaning of the minimum standards and seal of approval program was printed in a special announcement and sent to manufacturers and retailers over the country. The Advisory Committee then undertook the task of developing standards for a water-repellent preservative solution, adopted a final official test method and added water repellent treatment to the Seal of Approval in 1948. In 1950 the scope of the standards included general properties, formulas, toxicity, water repellency, and penetration. The committee now has before them the study of further standards for preservation treatments.

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