NatureWood preserved wood product is offered as an alternative to traditional CCA pressure treated wood. NatureWood preserved wood products provide retailers, treaters, consumers, builders and architects with an option in their selection of pressure treated wood products.The preservative technology in NatureWood products has been commercially used since 1991 throughout Europe, Asia, and the United States. For many backyard and commercial projects such as decks, fences and landscaping, NatureWood products are an ideal alternative to traditional pressure treated wood.

Here's why:

• NatureWood products are durable and designed for outdoor construction
• The most effective and widely used alternative to traditional pressure treated wood
• Lifetime Residential and Agricultural Limited Warranty against structural damage caused by decay and termites
• Ideal for structural lumber, sill plates, outdoor furniture, patios, decks, garden edging, landscaping structures and understructure for playground equipment
• Building code compliant
• Copper-based preservative with a co-biocide
• Use hot-dip galvanized, stainless steel, or other fasteners and hardware as recommended by the hardware manufacturer
• Offers consumers a choice in pressure treated wood products
• The preservatives in NatureWood products meet AWPA standards

Characteristics of the NatureWood Preservative

The NatureWood wood preservative is a waterborne, alkaline copper quaternary preservative system developed to provide long-term protection of wood exposed in exterior applications. The NatureWood system is based on the well-established effectiveness of copper combined with an organic quaternary compound and is applied to wood by pressure treatment. Copper and quaternary compounds are effective fungicides and termiticides. Together they provide protection from a broad spectrum of fungi and termites. Quaternary compounds are commonly used as swimming pool additives, disinfectants and sanitizers and have antibacterial properties. The active ingredients, copper oxide and quaternary compounds, are dissolved in an alkaline carrier in NatureWood products.

Depending on the desired product application, wood species, and exposure hazard, the NatureWood preservative system may be formulated with a number of specialty additives such as water repellents to enhance product performance.

Characteristics of the NatureWood Preserved Wood Product

Properly treated and processed NatureWood products are similar to CCA treated wood products - both are pressure treated, long lasting, durable, clean to the touch and have no objectionable odor. More than a decade of field test performance and commercial use worldwide establishes the proven effectiveness of the NatureWood preservative technology against termites and fungal decay.

NatureWood preserved wood products offer termite and fungal decay protection similar to that of CCA treated wood. Ground contact testing of treated stakes confirms that while untreated SYP stakes fail in less than 5 years, stakes preserved with NatureWood preservatives perform similarly to CCA treated stakes.

Lifetime Residential and Agricultural Limited Warranty

A Lifetime Residential and Agricultural Limited Warranty is offered on NatureWood products at 0.25 and 0.40 pcf retention levels for material used in residential and agricultural applications. See Warranty for specific provisions. An independent third-party quality control is required for the use of the NatureWood trademark and NatureWood Lifetime Residential and Agricultural Limited Warranty.

Regulatory Requirements

The preservative technology in NatureWood products is registered by the EPA as a non-restricted use pesticide and does not require Proposition 65 labeling in California. NatureWood products, as described in National Evaluation Report - NER# 628, meet all major model building code requirements.

Treatment Specifications


Fastener and Hardware Recommendations

NatureWood preserved wood products are designed for long-term performance in outdoor applications and, therefore, require high quality, corrosion-resistant nails, screws, and other fasteners. Warning - Certain metal products (including fasteners, hardware and flashing) may corrode when in direct contact with NatureWood products. To prevent premature corrosion and failure it is important to follow the recommendations of the manufacturers for all metal products. Direct contact of NatureWood preserved wood with aluminum is not recommended.

NatureWood Weathering Information

Freshly treated NatureWood products begin with a familiar greenish color and will over time turn to a tan/brown color upon exposure to sunlight. As with most wood products, NatureWood products will eventually fade to gray over time.

Important Application Information

• Use corrosion-resistant Fasteners- NatureWood preserved wood products are designed for long-term performance in outdoor applications and therefore, require high quality, corrosion-resistant nails, screws and hardware. Warning - Certain metal products (including fasteners, hardware and flashing) may corrode when in direct contact with NatureWood products. To prevent premature corrosion and failure it is important to follow the recommendations of the manufacturers for all metal products. Direct contact of NatureWood preserved wood with aluminum is not recommended.
  - Stainless Steel
  Stainless steel fasteners and connectors are required for Permanent Wood Foundations below grade and are recommended for use with treated wood in other severe exterior applications such as swimming pools, salt water exposure, etc. –Type 304 and 316 are the recommended grades to use.
  - Other fasteners and hardware as recommended by the manufacturer
  There may be additional products (other than stainless steel or hot-dip galvanized) which are suitable for use with NatureWood treated wood. Please consult with the individual fastener or hardware manufacturer for recommendations for use of their products with NatureWood treated wood.
  - Aluminum should not be used in direct contact with NatureWood treated wood
  Spacer materials or other physical barriers are recommended to prevent direct contact of NatureWood treated wood and aluminum products. When using NatureWood preserved wood in close proximity to aluminum products, such as aluminum siding, flashing, furniture, and door and window frames, a ¼” minimum spacing must be allowed for between the NatureWood and the aluminum products. Another option is to use a polyethylene barrier, with a minimum thickness of 10 mils, between the NatureWood preserved wood and the aluminum product to prevent direct contact of the wood and the aluminum.
  
  Certain adhesives add extra holding power. Apply adhesives in accordance with manufacturer’s directions.
  
  *Electroplated galvanized fasteners and metal products are typically not accepted by the building codes for use in exterior applications, regardless of the type of wood used.
  
• When appearance permits, attach boards bark side up - As a general rule, attach boards bark side up (annual rings arc upward) to reduce cupping; however, the best face should be placed up when a defect of the wood is apparent. Fasten thin boards to thicker boards to maintain structural integrity.
  
• Drill pilot holes - Drill pilot holes especially when nailing or screwing near the edge or end of a board. Pilot holes will help minimize splitting.
  
• Deck Board Spacing - The moisture content of pressure treated wood products can vary. If the moisture content of the treated wood is high, deck boards should be butted together because spaces will occur between the boards as they lose moisture content in service. If the wood has been kiln dried after treatment or otherwise has low moisture content a 1/8” spacing is recommended.
  
• Use an endcoat preservative - Brush endcoat wood preservative on all saw cuts and into drill holes during construction of wood projects. Also apply on areas where moisture can collect. Always follow manufacturer’s recommendations.

Important Information

• Do not burn preserved wood.
• Wear a dust mask and goggles when cutting or sanding wood.
• Wear gloves when working with wood.
• Some preservative may migrate from the treated wood into soil/water or may dislodge from the treated wood surface upon contact with skin. Wash exposed skin areas thoroughly.
• All sawdust and construction debris should be cleaned up and disposed of after construction.
• Wash work clothes separately from other household clothing before reuse.
• Preserved wood should not be used where it may come into direct or indirect contact with drinking water, except for uses involving incidental contact such as fresh water docks and bridges.
• Do not use preserved wood under circumstances where the preservative may become a component of food, animal feed or beehives.
• Do not use preserved wood as mulch.
• Only preserved wood that is visibly clean and free of surface residue should be used.
• Use fasteners, hardware or any metal product as recommended by their manufacturer.
• Use fasteners and other hardware which are in compliance with building codes for the intended use.
• Do not use preserved wood in direct contact with aluminum.
• During construction if the wood should become wet it should be allowed to dry before being covered or enclosed.
• Disposal Recommendations: Preserved wood may be disposed of in landfills or burned in commercial or industrial incinerators or boilers in accordance with federal, state and local regulations.
• If you desire to apply a paint, stain, clear water repellant or other finish to your preservative treated wood, we recommend following the manufacturer’s instructions and label of the finishing product. Before you start, we recommend you apply the finishing product to a small exposed test area before finishing the entire project to insure it provides the intended result before proceeding.
• Mold growth can and does occur on the surface of many products, including untreated and treated wood, during prolonged surface exposure to excessive moisture conditions. To remove mold from the treated wood surface, wood should be allowed to dry. Typically, mild soap and water can be used to remove remaining surface mold. For more information visit www.epa.gov.
• Projects should be designed and installed in accordance with federal, state and local building codes and ordinances governing the construction in your area, and in accordance with the National Design
• Specifications (NDS) and the Wood Handbook
• NatureWood products are produced by independently owned and operated wood preserving facilities.

Disposal Recommendations

NatureWood products which are no longer usable such as cutoffs, broken boards, sawdust or treated wood material taken out of service are not considered hazardous and may be disposed of in landfills or burned in commercial or industrial incinerators or boilers in accordance with state and federal regulations.