Pressure-treatment is a process which helps wood resist warping and breakdown due to atmospheric chemicals. However, pressure-treated lumber can be corrosive and this blog post will explain how FRP can be used in its place as a safer alternative.

What is Pressure-Treated Lumber?

Pressure-treated lumber is wood which has been immersed in a liquid preservative then placed in a pressure chamber. This chamber forces the chemical to move into the wood fibers and this pressurized approach ensures that the chemical moves entirely into the core of the wood. This is more effective than soaking the wood with a chemical.

The active ingredients which are often used in treated wood are copper azole (CA), alkaline copper quaternary (ACQ) or micronized coper azole (MCA).

Generally, pressure-treated lumber is used in instances in which there is direct contact between wood and something that could supply moisture. One such instance is in retaining walls which are used to support landscaping projects and hold back soil or any posts which are in contact with the ground or buried beneath it.

Why is Pressure-Treated Lumber Problematic?

Unlike FRP, pressure-treated lumber is treated with chemicals for protection and can be hazardous. If the wood is burned, trimmed or cut it may emit dangerous toxins into the air. For this reason, pressure treated wood should not be used in gardens or in applications that come into contact with food and water.

FRP is a Good Alternative

Unlike wood, FRP is not affected by moisture, salt spray or immersion in water. Wood is susceptible to rot, mold and mildew and breaks down over time, this is why pressure-treated wood is so popular. However, FRP embodies all the properties of pressure-treated wood without any of the safety concerns as it is completely safe to use and does not emit any harmful chemicals.

FRP Benefits

FRP has a hard, attractive finish which is available in a variety of colors and can be customized for increased hardness and resilience. FRP is comparable in price to pressure-treated wood and has significantly fewer maintenance costs.

FRP is extremely strong and has high impact resistance, it will not deform or break under impact unlike wood, even in sub zero temperatures. FRP is also a good insulator and has low thermal conductivity, making it a better alternative to wood than metals. It is also lightweight, reducing installation difficulty and costs.

At Strongwell, we manufacture top class FRP to be used as an alternative for pressure-treated lumber. If you would like to find out more, contact us today.