Environmental Benefits of Pressure-Treated Wood

Guest Post By Huck DeVenzio, Arch Wood Protection

House with Pressure Treated Decks If pressure-treated wood were a new product being introduced today, it would probably be hailed as an environmental break-through. It can claim features unmatched by other building materials. However, it has become such a staple of construction that its environmental benefits are usually overlooked or not recognized.

The very purpose of pressure treatment is one of the biggest benefits: the preservative process enables wood to last longer. A longer service life means less demand on forests and less transportation of materials. It also means less frequent replacement, but that is an economic advantage to the homeowner rather than an environmental one.

Today’s most common preservatives are made primarily from copper. This copper comes from recycled sources – e.g., copper wire, computer etchants – which would otherwise be discarded as waste.

But the environmental attractiveness of preserved lumber derives mostly from the wood itself. Wood is our planet’s only major renewable building product. The species of trees that furnish the most desirable treated wood are plentiful and grown in managed timberlands. They are not cut from sensitive forests or unregulated third-world rainforests. And, they grow rather rapidly, so their supply is quickly replenished – in fewer years than the service life of the treated lumber they provide. Meantime, trees absorb carbon dioxide and wood products sequester that carbon until disposal, thereby reducing greenhouse gases.

On top of this, wood is strong for its weight. Often wood projects can be installed with lighter duty equipment than other building materials require, resulting in less environmental impact from the construction process.

Though not critical in every application, wood is also an excellent insulator. Compared to alternatives, it conducts less heat, noise, and electrical current – all of which represent environmental and, sometimes, safety benefits.

The production of preserved wood is noteworthy, too. It takes less energy to produce treated lumber than other major materials. The sun and soil provide most of the necessary energy. Using less energy typically means less depletion of nonrenewable fuel resources and generation of less greenhouse gas. The treating process is an integrated system that produces no wastewater discharges, and the level of air pollutants is classified as “insignificant.”

Last, when its original purpose has been served, treated wood can frequently be reused effectively for other projects. Parts of an outdated deck may become a planter box or doghouse or driveway edging.

From a renewable resource and recycled preservative, preserved wood becomes a long-lasting, reusable product requiring comparatively little energy between those points. On a life-cycle basis, preserved wood provides significant environmental benefits over alternative products. Those producing and selling preserved wood can take pride in the earth-saving material they provide.

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Author Bio: Huck DeVenzio is manager of marketing communications at Arch Wood Protection, Inc., a leading producer of wood treating chemicals and licensor of some of the best known brands of treated wood, including Wolmanized® lumber. Mr. DeVenzio has been involved with wood preservation since 1973. For more information, visit www.wolmanizedwood.com.