When specified by our clients, we pressure treat lumber and plywood with chemical preservatives to render the fiber useless as a food source for fungi, termites and other wood destroying organisms. Ideal applications for pressure treated lumber and plywood includes decks, landscaping, fences, outdoor furniture, flooring, walls, and roofing systems.

A majority of the lumber we distribute is pressure treated with a fungicide and copper-based preservative known as Copper Azole. The treatment process we specify is usually CA-C (dispersed copper azole) or MCA (micronized copper azole). Most of the lumber we export is stored inside our warehouse and is not pulled for pressure treating services until ordered by our client. We can supply lumber for your order with one of several treatment options:

• CA-C (dispersed copper azole) or MCA (micronized copper azole) Preservative
  These treatment processes are the most popular among our export clients. Both CA-C and MCA preservatives provide protection against termites and fungal decay. Both of these treatment processes are very similar and are considered interchangeable by our clients. Typical applications are for "Above Ground" use (PT .05), Ground / Fresh Water Contact ( PT .14) and Sawn Poles & Posts (PT .23). To download a model specification for Wolmanized® Residential Outdoor® wood as a modifiable MS Word (2002) document, click here.
• L³ Outdoor® Preservative (pronounced "L Cubed")
  The L³ treatment process is an environmentally friendly, Low-impact preservative providing Lasting resistance to termites and fungal decay. L³ is the first preservative that is a nonmetallic, carbon-based solution. L³ is listed as a GreenSpec® environmentally preferable product. L³ is approved for use in a wide range of exterior applications, except for uses that have ground contact as the biocides used in the preservative are know to degrade in soil. To download a model specification for Wolmanized L³ Outdoor wood as a modifiable MS Word (2002) document, click here.
• CCA (chromated copper arsenate) Preservative
  The CCA treatment process has been used as a preservative for over 70 years and is still available for use in approved applications, such as poles, piles, timbers, posts and plywood. The chemical used to preserve wood is a mixture of the oxides of copper, chromium and arsenate.
• Borate Preservative
  The Borate treatment process impregnates lumber with a borate (SBX) preservative which makes the wood resistant to attack by insects and fungal decay. This treatment process is suitable for interior and/or weather-shielded applications, such as the home's sill plate and other interior uses.
• KDAT (Kiln-Dried After Treatment) Service
  When lumber and plywood is pressure treated with chemical preservatives, the moisture content of the wood is increased significantly. After installation, lumber and plywood needs to dry its naturally occurring content before sealants, paints or stains are applied. This drying process can take weeks or even months to dry naturally. Lumber and plywood can be placed in a kiln dryer after treatment to reduce the moisture content back to the naturally occurring content.

Pressure treated lumber has virtually unlimited uses and applications. The service life of wood is greatly increased when pressure treated with preservative chemicals. Pressure treated timber piling in the U.S. has a documented service life of over 85 years, with no record of failure. The service life of wood depends on the treatment process that is selected and will vary depending on the application of use, quality of installation and environmental factors.

For more detailed information on preservative-treated wood, please visit the United States Forest Service's website: USDA / USFS T&D Publications.