November 3rd, 2015

Treated pilings, poles, and posts play a pivotal role in many construction projects. Such treated lumber has been pressurized to make the wood impenetrable to things that would otherwise degrade its quality, such as pests, water, and fungal decay (rot). Today’s treated wood utilizes the most effective preservatives and gifts several great advantages to the user. Such benefits include:

• Longevity. Properly treated pilings, poles, and posts can resist damage by pests, water, and other ilk for decades. Check the preservative per cubic foot standard printed on wood to determine what type of resistance the lumber is set for. The highest treated lumber can even be submerged in sea water, one of the most detrimental elements to building materials, for long-term use.
• Economical. While treated wood might have a slightly higher upfront cost, it pays for itself over its extended lifespan. With its higher quality you only need to build once, thus saving you from having to reassess, rebuild, or remodel every few years.
• Low maintenance. Tired of pulling out the pressure washer? Treated pilings, poles, and posts aren’t susceptible to rot even when they are installed directly on/in the ground. Plus, depending on the type purchased, some of this type of wood is even treated with water resistant coatings to prevent warping.
• Eco-friendly. While not often touted as a green product, treated lumber does have several key environmental benefits. For instance, because it lasts longer, treated wood puts a lower strain on forest and fossil fuel supplies. Plus, because copper (almost always from a recycled source) is the primary chemical used to treat lumber, there’s near zero waste water discharge and air pollutants when treating lumber.