Wood Treatment

When wood is subjected to moisture or moderate heat, it may decay if no protection is applied.

For normal structural usage, ordinary sawn lumber can be used directly in natural form. Coatings such as stains and paints may be applied to prolong its service life under an exposed environment.

Seasoned lumber completed with waterproofing technique makes the wood durable against most attack.

For wood in contact with ground or susceptible to decay, chemical treatment is required. Such treatment prevents the destruction of wood by fungi and insects.

Three classes of chemicals are commonly used to treat the wood: pentachlorophenol, creosote and inorganic arsenicals.