New Standards in Treated Wood

New Standards in Treated WoodThe new standards, agreed upon industry wide, now clearly require the use of Ground Contact treated material for many applications physically located above the ground.

What are the new rules for selecting and using treated materials?

Even if a location appears to be above the ground, choose Ground Contact treated wood if

• soil or other debris may build up and stay in contact with the wood
• there is insufficient ventilation to allow air circulation around the wood
• material is installed less than 6 inches above ground on permeable building materials
• material is installed in contact with non-durable untreated or older construction with any evidence of decay
• wood is subject to frequent or recurring wetting wood is used in tropical climates the wood is both:

• difficult to maintain, repair or replace and
• critical to the performance and safety of the entire system

Remember that joists and beams for decks and docks fit both of these final criteria and therefore require Ground Contact treatment.    

What do these changes mean for the industry?

Consumers benefit from the new standards that require wood to be properly used for the applications and conditions in which it will be used. The treated wood has been tested to ensure proper performance in these applications and conditions. However, the new standards only work if consumers make the right decisions about whether one of the above conditions applies to treated wood used in their projects. The industry needs to continue to educate and guide users in selecting the appropriate product for their needs.  Retailers need to decide what material to stock to meet their customers’ needs. 

How do I find out additional information?

Download the documents to learn more.

•  AWPA Rules Change Explanation
•  How to Properly Choose Treated Wood
•  How to Properly Install Treated Wood