Why is the application of antiseptic wood more and more extensive?

Faced with a constantly changing external environment, ordinary wood cannot withstand corrosion from fungi, rain, and other factors, resulting in a short service life. However, the use of preservatives can significantly reduce external corrosion. Preservatives can be categorized as natural preservatives (such as Canadian red cedar) or those treated with chemical agents (such as ACQ) or carbonized. Preservative treatment typically involves placing the wood under vacuum and applying high pressure to further preservative treatment, allowing the ACQ and other agents to penetrate the wood's tissue cells and fully blend with the cellular fibers.

1. Natural anti-corrosion materials

Natural woods like Canadian and American red cedar (also considered the most suitable for sauna and bathroom applications) and Southeast Asian balau wood are untreated. Natural, preservative-resistant wood, considered the most environmentally friendly, is generally more expensive. Canadian hemlock can be an alternative if the environment requires less corrosion resistance.

2. Artificial anti-corrosion materials

There are many types of artificial preservative wood, such as the rising star Pinus sylvestris var. mongolica, known for its fine wood and straight grain. While its quality is inferior to imported preservative wood, it has a significant share in the Chinese preservative wood market due to its reasonable price. Another option is Southern pine, grown in the southern United States. Due to its unique cell arrangement, preservative treatments can reach the heartwood, and its excellent bending resistance makes it well-suited for decorative applications. Nordic pine, a favorite in Europe, is characterized by its slender, upright structure, dense and strong wood, clear and beautiful grain, low resin content, and high porosity, making it ideal for preservative soaking and making it a good material for preservative wood.

Compared with the preservatives used for antiseptic wood in the early days, today's treatment agents have passed environmental protection standards. Treated wood is an environmentally friendly material, and we don't have to worry about its harmfulness.

How to check the effectiveness of the treatment: You can visually check the surface finish of the wood. A poorly treated surface will have impurities such as powder and uneven color. Alternatively, you can directly split the wood sample to check the depth of treatment. A good treatment should reach the heartwood, at least 1 cm deep, for the best antiseptic effect.

In addition, check the wood surface for signs of scarring, cracks, and deformation. Scarring not only detracts from the wood's appearance but also serves as a major route for fungi and insects to corrode it. Cracks and deformation are likely due to poor treatment. Treated wood generally has a moisture content below 18%, and thus will not crack or deform when exposed to air.

Although antiseptic wood has many impressive features, in later use, the surface of the antiseptic wood should be maintained with wood wax oil on a regular basis as needed to enhance its surface waterproof and antifouling properties.