The Ultimate Guide To Treated Timber

What is treated timber? Is it safe?

• Treated timber is wood that has been chemically preserved to make it more resistant to decay, rot, and insect damage.

• All of our treated timber, such as decking, fence posts, structural C16 and C24, and external cladding, are all pressure-treated using Tanalith E, the worlds top treatment brand.

• Over the years, this brand name has become so synonymous with quality treated timber that people have started calling treated timber, "Tanalised" timber- taking the name from Tanalith specifically (think Hoover or Velcro).

• The pressure treatment process replaced an older, less safe method called CCA. Pressure treatment with Tanalith is much safer for the environment and humans, as well as creating a far higher-quality product. Its the safest its ever been!

 

Benefits of using treated timber

Treated timber has many benefits over untreated timber, including:

• It is more durable and resistant to decay, rot, and insect damage = less maintenance.

• It can last for many years compared to untreated timber.

• It is less likely to require painting or staining.

• It is a more affordable option than some other types of wood.

• A highly versatile material it is used in the construction of just abbot anything you can think of outdoors that is made of wood.

• It is just as easy to work with as sawn timber.

• It is graded in the same way as sawn structural timber.

• Timber that is machined to give it a shape (such as cladding) is treated after it has been machined, this means the treatment gets all the way into the timber, giving it maximum, lifespan and durability.

What's the best type of treatment for wood?

You guessed it- we only sell timbers that have been pressure-treated with Tanlith E, this is because we are an eco-conscious and quality-driven company, we hold all of our materials to the highest standards.

As mentioned above in the article, CCA treatment has been phased out as it is unsafe. Pressure treated timber is the modern and safe way to get the longest life-span out of your timber.

 

How to choose the right treated timber for your project

There is a reason Tanalised C16 and C24 graded structural timber is an all-time best seller, you can use it for anything, its cheap, and it is of the highest quality possible.

• C16 & C24 are both eased-edge, stress-graded timbers, ready for any job you can imagine as well as being easy to work with and handle.

• Commonly used for decking frames, pergolas, shed walls, carcassing and many more applications inside and outside!

• C24 is more commonly be used for floor and roof joists, as well as timber framing.

• Treated timber is specially designed to be used outdoors and won't warp and rot away like untreated timber would.

Don't forget that all decking, fence posts and external cladding are treated in the same way as treated C16 and C24!

• Our machined treated timber such as decking or cladding is treated after its machined, this ensures all the pressure treatment gets to exactly where it is needed based on the final shape of the piece.

 

How to maintain treated timber

Treated timber requires minimal maintenance. However, you should still inspect it regularly for signs of decay or rot. If you see any damage, you should repair it immediately. (And here's a quick How-To from us!)

1. Inspect the damage. Determine the extent of the damage and whether it is superficial or structural. If the damage is superficial, such as a small crack or hole, you can repair it with a wood filler. If the damage is structural, such as a large hole or split, you may need to replace the damaged section of wood.

2. Clean the area. Remove any loose debris from the damaged area and clean it with a damp cloth. This will help the wood filler or new wood adhere properly.

3. Apply wood filler. If the damage is superficial, you can use a wood filler to repair it. Be sure to use a wood filler that is designed for treated timber. Apply the wood filler to the damaged area and smooth it out with a putty knife.

4. Sand the wood filler. Once the wood filler has dried, sand it smooth with fine-grit sandpaper.

5. Apply a primer. Apply a primer to the repaired area to help the paint adhere properly.

6. Paint the repaired area. Once the primer has dried, paint the repaired area to match the surrounding wood.

 

Safety and environmental concerns

Some people have concerns about the safety and environmental impact of treated timber. The chemicals used to treat timber can be harmful to human health and the environment. However, the risks associated with treated timber are generally considered to be low.

Timber treatment has developed in some amazing ways in its life since its inception in 1952.

Harsh chemicals were used make the timber more resistant to decay and rot. Over the years, and with a dose of technological developments, timber is now pressure-treated within large pressure tanks, which suck all the air out of the wood, then reintroduce the air along with a much safer treatment chemical. This results in a timber which is deeply treated and highly eco-conscious compared to its predecessors.

Where to buy treated timber

Your first stop is https://www.coventrytimber.co.uk/treated-timber

We stock a huge range of treated timbers. Decking, fencing, structural, cladding, sheets, the list goes on- All treated with the worlds top brand of pressure-treatment, Tanalith E.

When you purchase treated timber from Coventry Timber Products you are also supporting the FSC and PEFC's chain of custody.

We provide all our customers with expert advice about which type of timber is best for the job at hand, how to choose the right fixings, as well as providing the best price and excellent delivery times. (Oh, did we mention delivery is free on all online timber orders in Coventry?)

What does FSC and PEFC certification mean?

Chain of custody certification of timber or timber-derived products provides independently-verified assurance that the wood used originates from responsibly sourced forests and that the material has been tracked through every stage of the process, from forest to end-user.

In a nutshell- we're accountable and so are our suppliers.

 

 

Bonus Tip

Timber treated with "Tanalith® E" is trademarked as "Tanalised® timber". Over the years, due to the success of Tanalith® E, the word ‘Tanalised’ has been used to refer to treated timber. Other treated timbers may not offer the same long-term performance credentials as Tanalised® timber. So if you are planning a project, make sure that the timber you are specifying has genuinely been treated with Tanalith® E wood preservative.

For more information on The Ultimate Guide To Treated Timber talk to Coventry Timber Products Ltd