Pressure treatment explained
- Pressure treatment is used to protect wood against the risks of decomposition through moisture, insects and bacteria, while also preserving the timber’s integrity.
- Pressure treatment works by removing all the moisture from the timber and effectively replacing it with an alkaline, copper based chemical preservative. This process is carried out in a vacuum cylinder at sawmills or by timber merchants. Different chemicals may be used but when tanalith E is used, the wood may be called tanalised timber.
- Prior to pressure treatments being available, wood would have been protected with a coat of creosote. Creosote was ultimately found to be harmful to health, and environmentally toxic and was withdrawn from sale. Pressure treated timber poses no such dangers and is perfectly safe to use in all domestic and commercial settings.
The advantages of pressure treated fencing
- Protects against rotting and insect damage that lead to decay, as well as environmental factors such as rain and snow.
- Gives greater durability, an extended lifespan and a slower rate of decay.
- Cost effective as no initial preserving treatment is required
- Gives a natural finished look to the timber with a smooth, matte surface. The fence can be left in its natural state or it can be stained or painted to suit the aesthetic of the surroundings.
- Environmentally friendly – the extended lifespan of pressure treated timber leads to fewer trees having to be felled to replace it.
Does pressure treated fencing need further treatment?
At the point of installation, pressure treated fencing needs no other initial treatment.
What ongoing treatment does pressure treated fencing need?
Pressure treated fencing benefits from an annual application of a timber treatment such as Protek Wood Preserver or Protek Shed and Fence treatment. When treating wooden fence panels, always remember to treat timber fence posts and wooden gravel boards, as well as fence post caps and decorative finials. For more help with this, read How to treat fence panels.
What else can I do to protect my pressure treated fencing?
In addition to ensuring your fencing has been manufactured from pressure treated timber, and establishing a regular treatment routine, there are other things you can do to reduce the damage caused by rotting.
Gravel boards – these can be timber or concrete and will separate your fencing from the ground. By raising your fence away from wet soil, gravel boards will extend the lifespan of the fence and reduce the risk of mould.
Timber fence post caps and decorative finials – these not only provide a pleasing finishing touch to fence posts, but they also prevent moisture penetrating the sawn ends of the fence posts, sealing them against environmental factors.
Keep the area debris-free – if the area at the base of your fence is prone to leaf fall, clear debris immediately and do not let it accumulate. Any material allowed to gather over time can rot down allowing rot to penetrate the fence.
Pressure treated fencing from Witham Timber
With over 240 years’ experience in the supply of garden timber and landscaping products, Witham Timber stocks all the fencing supplies you need to install a new pressure treated fence. For all other queries, our friendly sales team is available over the phone on 01205 359188 or by email at sales@withamtimber.co.uk