Is Pressure Treated Wood for Fencing Environmentally Friendly?

   

Yes! The use of pressure treated wood for Residential and Commercial fencing is in fact, environmentally friendly. Hurricane Fence Company relies on Treated Lumber Outlet (TLO) for a healthy portion of our Residential Pressure Treated Wood-Fence products. Wood Preservation allows for the use of renewable resources while preserving the amount of decay to the actual lumber. This effectively uses fewer trees because of the pressure-treatment. CCA has been used to pressure treat lumber since the 1940s. Since the 1970s, the majority of the wood used in outdoor residential settings has been CCA-treated wood. Pressure treated wood containing CCA is no longer being produced for use in most residential settings, including decks and playsets. The use of trees rather than plastics or metals is better for the environment due to the known costs of using petroleum based products or steel or aluminum fence production methods which have higher energy expenditures during their manufacturing processes. Additionally, these metals and fence materials create a higher dependency on foreign sources enabling a larger carbon footprint, thus increasing pollution.

What exactly is Pressure Treated Wood or Lumber?

Pressure-Treated Lumber is wood that has had a liquid preservative forced into it in order to protect against deterioration due to environmental factors such as weathering, rot or insect attack. The most commonly used preservatives are chromated copper arsenate (CCA) and pentachlorophenol. In the treatment process, finished treated lumber is placed in large container, which is sealed and filled with the preservative solution. As the pressure in the container is increased, the preservatives are forced into the lumber; the excess preservative is drained from the container and recycled. The preservative makes pressure-treated wood suitable for long-term outdoor uses where ordinary wood would soon deteriorate. Wood for these uses is now treated with ACQ (alkaline copper quat, a copper oxide–quaternary ammonium compound mixture), copper azole, disodium octaborate tetrahydrate (DOT), or other green friendly chemicals. Subsequently, building codes often mandate the use of responsibly pressure-treated-wood for outdoor purposes.  

What are some other Benefits of Preserved Wood Fence?

Longevity: The life of untreated outdoor wood products can be as short as one or two years. CCA preserved wood has been shown to last over 40 years.

Versatility: Some uses for Pressure Treated Wood Fence Solutions include bridges, guardrails, and docks, while utility poles, crossarms, and indoor pools are a few examples of things made from wood treated with oil-born preservatives.

A Proven Track Record: CCA preserved wood has been around for more than 70 years.  It is EPA approved and has a history of effectiveness.

Affordable & Natural & Beautiful: The raw look is very hot right now. New home buyers and experienced ones alike have really become eco-conscience. We all want more bang for our buck. Aluminum and steel and other man made materials come with a bigger price tag and production costs.

Made in the USA: Man-made fence materials contribute to our reliance for imported materials from other countires. Pressure treated wood and lumber materials offer consumers both efficiency and beauty at a lighter price tag. Most pressure treated wood fence materials are made right here in our own backyard. What a great way to support our local & national economy!

  *SOMETHING IMPORTANT TO CONSIDER: If a sub-par local fence installation crew installs fences, these fences will obviously need to be replaced sooner than expected. This is why you MUST  â€˜qualify’ your fence installation companyprior to purchasing a fence. Reducing the use of resources is the most effective way to protect our environment and your wallet.

What do the experts say about Pressure Treated Wood?

" We have to be careful to preserve forests by using our wood resources to their maximum potential. Using materials such as CCA extends the life of resources at least five years old. Dr. Stanley Rhodes, President of Scientific Certification Systems   “Through the use of preservatives in pressure treated lumber for fences, porches, decks and homes, we have saved a forest of trees two times the size of New England.” Dr. Dixy Lee Ray, former Governor of Washington State