Timber is a highly versatile material and is used around us in several ways. Among all types of timbers, treated Pine is the most versatile and used in construction and several other household projects. The term ‘Pine' covers several pinus species, including Pinus Radiata, Pinus Elliottii, and Pinus Caribaea. Most of the Pine used in Australia is derived from plantation-grown forests in Australia and New Zealand. Its versatility and fast growth rate make it a very popular material for construction projects. A very critical factor to understand about Pinewood is that it is a member of the softwood family and treated with preservatives and kiln-dried to make it treated Pine. This makes it more useful and extends its life significantly. The use of preservatives makes Pinewood resistant to all the organisms that can destroy the wood.

HOW IS TREATED PINEWOOD PREPARED?

Treated pine woods are treated in the same manner regardless of the actual makeup or preservatives used. The first step in preparing treated Pinewood is cutting the logs into sizes and lengths, and then they are immersed in a treatment solution for some time. Once the treatment has penetrated the timber adequately, it is drained off, and the wood is finally sent for kiln drying to ensure that its strength is uncompromised during the construction process.

HOW MANY TYPES OF PINE TREATMENTS ARE AVAILABLE?

Treated pine suppliers basically use three different classes of preservatives to prepare treated pine woods. The details of the treatments used to prepare treated pinewoods are presented here.

There are three classes of preservatives commonly used to treat Pine:

WATER-BORNE

  • Copper Chrome Arsenic [CCA]
  • Alkaline Copper Quaternary [ACQ]
  • Copper Azole [CuAz]

SOLVENT-BORNE

  • Light Organic Solvent Preservative [LOSP]

OIL-BORNE

  • Creosote, Pigment Emulsified Creosote [PEC]

There are several pine treatments available, including:

  • Tanalised C (CCA) H1, H2, H3, H4, H5, H6
  • Lifewood (CCA) H1, H2, H3, H4, H5, H6
  • Vascol Azure H1, H2, H3
  • Protim (LOSP) H1, H2, H3
  • Protim Optimum (Losp) H3
  • Tanalised Ecowood (TanE) H1, H2 ,H3, H4, H5
  • NatureWood (ACQ) H1, H2 ,H3, H4, H5

The ‘H' here donates the treatment level and what the treated Pinewood can be used for. For example, H2 means protection against termites in the treated Pinewood can be used for interiors only. H3, on the other hand, means complete protection against termites and wood rotting. The treated pine wood can be used outside but aboveground only. H4 stands for outside non-structural treated pinewoods. It can be used on the ground, for posts, and on garden edges.

H5 is also for outside structures, and it can contact the ground. The treated Pine can be used in decks and pergolas. Lastly, there are H6-treated pine woods that can be used outside and in saltwater conditions as well, such as boardwalks, piers and jetties.

HOW DOES TREATED PINE LOOK LIKE?

Untreated Pine is mostly golden white, and the colour of treated Pine will vary according to the chemical or method used for treatment. In most cases, the treated Pine would be warm golden colour. As mentioned above, the colour can vary, and this applies to the boards as the colour of different boards can also differ significantly. One thing to remember is that Pine is susceptible to knotholes and, if left untreated, can generate other issues as well. Moreover, since Pinewood is softwood, it is vulnerable to denting if kiln drying has not been done appropriately.

WHAT ARE THE COMMON USES OF TREATED PINEWOODS?

The most common use of treated Pine available at treated pine suppliers is in construction for framing, fencing and other support structures. Treated Pine is also used to create support beams for pergolas and decks and it is an ideal decking material. You can also use it to create infills, balustrades, fences, furniture, etc.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF CHOOSING TREATED PINE?

The main reason why treated Pine is used more is that it is a robust material available very economically due to its vast availability. The colour varies according to the treatment used on the treated Pine, but it has a beautiful, warm colour. This wood is softer than several other types of softwood and can be very pleasant to walk on when used as flooring or decking.