When you’re building anything outdoors you need materials that are adapted to the elements and easy to work with.
Natural wood is vulnerable to moisture, fungi, and insects. Whereas using heavy-duty materials such as rock, concrete, and metals are more expensive, and requires you to use specialist equipment.
So, what’s the alternative?
Treated timber – a type of wood that’s specially adapted using a combination of chemicals and pressure. This process means that treated timber has a selection of benefits that make it well-suited to outdoor applications.
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Longer lifespan
Wood-boring insects such as woodworms, furniture beetles, and deathwatch beetles burrow into wood to lay their eggs. This creates networks of cavities in the wood, which is not only unsightly but also means that the wood needs replacing. Similarly, certain types of fungi like brown rot can grow on untreated wood. As it spreads, it digests the essential fibres of the wood that give it its strength.
Treated timber is less vulnerable to these issues, as the chemical treatments act as a form of repellent. This means that it typically lasts longer than natural wood.
Enhanced safety
Treated timber is also safer compared to natural wood. In the first place, it isn’t safe for structurally weak wood to be used to support buildings. Since treated timber is less likely to have weaknesses caused by insects and fungi, it’s safer to use.
There are also special treatments available. For instance, you can get fire-treated timber which limits the spread of surface flames and reduces smoke propagation. This gives occupants more time to evacuate a building in the event of a fire and mitigates the chances of smoke inhalation.
Greater usability
Compared to heavy-duty materials like rock, concrete, and construction metals, treated wood is far more user-friendly. It’s easily cut to size using saws, penetrated by drills and fasteners, and shaped using routers and the like. And since it’s far lighter, treated wood is also more easily manoeuvrable.
Treated timber is also a highly versatile material. It can be used for a variety of outdoor applications, including but not limited to laying decking, supporting walls, or installing fences or creating timber skirting board.
Ideal for outdoor applications
When it comes to materials for building outdoors, it’s hard to find something better than treated timber. More durable than natural wood and more practical than heavy-duty materials, treated timber provides the best benefits of both.
