Wood products are everywhere. And it’s no wonder. Wood is, after all, nature’s sustainable building block that comes from an abundant natural resource easily and quickly replenished. It has excellent workability in all aspects of construction and, when preserved and used properly, can be designed to create outdoor living spaces that bring the comfort of inside to the outside.
Wood is a sustainable product that is responsibly sourced from managed forest lands. That means trees used in the building industry come from forests grown as crops – much like cotton or soy is grown. They are harvested. The land is left to rest for a few months. Then it is replanted at the rate of approximately 400 trees per acre. The forest is maintained and cared for 30+ years before it is harvested. Managed forest lands are in different stages of growth so that not all the forest is harvested at one time. And, all during the growing process, the privately owned land is home to wildlife and often used by birdwatchers, hikers, hunters and fishermen. Between forests, sawmills, and product manufacturers, every part of the tree is used for everything from poles, piling and dimensional lumber to pulp for paper mills, bedding for animals, and mulch for gardens.
Wood has excellent workability in all aspects of construction and has been used for centuries to build businesses and homes, churches and schools, walkways and wagons. Today wood is as relevant as ever and is still relied upon as the
building material that offers functional beauty. Wood’s design flexibility allows it to be used for a wide range of construction from buildings to backyard projects. It is a durable, cost effective structural material that is both strong and naturally beautiful.
Wood is easy to use, light-weight and adaptable to be modified on the job site. It is readily available from local dealers with no need for special orders. Wood can be used year-round in any climate and can be maintained and repaired by a do-it-yourselfer. Wood’s strength-to-weight ratio is excellent and it is resistant to breaking and cracking.
In order to extend the life of wood used outside, it is pressure treated. When wood goes through the treatment process, it is infused with preservative that helps it last longer while maintaining its natural beauty. Preservatives make wood resistant to attack from termites and fungal decay. For example, Lonza Wood Protection’s Wolman® E copper azole has been selected for over two decades to enhance the performance of wood. With Lonza’s innovation of BARamine® Technology combined with Wolman® E copper azole, Wolmanized® Outdoor® Wood offers improved penetration and preservative distribution throughout each piece of wood resulting in better protection and added peace of mind. It also has broad mold protection for a cleaner, brighter appearance and improved resistance to certain aggressive copper-tolerant fungi, which means less fungal decay.
Treated wood, used for more than 100 years, makes the ideal building material for backyard projects. Because of its ease of use, do-it-yourselfers are able to use simple tools to complete weekend projects like decks, picnic tables, raised bed planters, retaining walls and more.
For more complicated projects, contractors and builders also choose treated wood because it looks beautiful, is affordable, and is easy to work with and maintain. In fact, its natural beauty enriches backyard landscapes making it the preferred material of homeowners.
Maintenance on decks and other backyard projects can be likened to maintenance on a car. Oil changes are necessary and should be done regularly. Similarly, homeowners can easily and inexpensively perform maintenance on their decks. Recommendations include cleaning and applying a surface water repellent every couple of years to keep the deck looking beautiful for many years.
If left alone, wood weathers to a warm gray, giving a project the time-worn look that is in demand with many homeowners. However, for projects to maintain that just-bought appearance, staining every few years is recommended. And, unlike composites, if lumber gets scratched by everyday use it can be easily repaired by sanding and staining.
The cost of treated wood is significantly less than composites, so the homeowner’s initial investment is much lower. Plus, the upkeep cost is minimal and could include cleaning and brightening, water repellent, and paint or stain, if desired.
Treated wood is a naturally beautiful building material that is easy to use and manipulate by contractors and do-it-yourselfers alike. Once a project is built, with minimal future maintenance, the homeowner can enjoy an enhanced quality of outdoor living for years.