To get the best out of your wood-based project, a great timber treatment is the key to longevity. Whilst wood will not rot if it is kept dry, protecting against the elements is best practice to ensure that your timber has a long life.
Not sure if you need a timber treatment? Read on to find out more!
What is a Timber Treatment?
Timber treatment is commonly mistaken for decorative coatings, however, a timber treatment is far more hardy and durable. A timber treatment is a mixture of preservatives applied to wood to protect against timber decay, including dry rot and woodworm.
In the often very damp climate of the UK, timber is typically at a high risk of attack from certain insects and beasties, as well as fungi, which can dramatically affect the lifespan of timber, and lead to dangerous, or in some cases potentially fatal accidents where structural timber has been used.
Why Would You Use Untreated Timber?
With such justifiable reasons for using treated timber, it may seem strange to opt to use untreated wood for your project. However, many DIY enthusiasts and professionals still prefer to use untreated timber for a number of reasons.
To begin with, untreated timber is typically cheaper and allows maximum control over the project from start to finish. Another reason that untreated timber may be preferred is due to the nature of harsh chemicals used to create treated timber, it may simply not be appropriate.
For instance, a project involving the creation of an indoor dining table, the purpose of the table would be to serve food – and in this instance, toxic chemicals would carry some risk to health, whilst the risk of structural collapse due to rot is very low to non-existent.
Choosing Between Untreated and Treated Timber
Applying a timber treatment typically requires heavy duty apparatus to apply the chemicals, so for the casual DIY-er, opting for a treated timber can prove to be much more cost efficient, compared to sourcing timber treatment professionals to process your untreated wood for an outdoor project.
The biggest advantage to choosing wood that has undergone a timber treatment is the far superior lifespan. That combined with the cheap price point can make treated timber a very attractive proposition.
If you’re still not sure whether to go for treated or untreated timber, we’d be delighted to help! Just give us a call on 0844 474 4444 to speak to our timber treatment experts now! Ready to get cracking? Check out our treated and untreated timber now!