Treated Pine
Episode: # 30 22/12/07
Presenter: Nigel Ruck
Treated pine has been around for ages and you can use it for all sorts of landscaping projects such as fencing, decks, pergolas and retaining walls, but there are a few things you need to know to get the job done quickly.
Treated pine comes in many shapes and sizes, from large round logs, a range of different sized sleepers’ right down to garden edging and pegs, with a heap of stuff in between. It is harvested from plantation timber and so it is a renewable resource and a cost effective building material for numerous gardening projects.
Treated pine comes with a hazard rating that is labelled with the letter ‘H’ and a number after it. This is very important and relates to what it can be used for. For example H3 is for above ground use such as decks and pergolas, H4 is for in ground use such as posts and retaining walls and H5 can be used in contact with fresh water. These three are the most common for landscaping projects.
The treatment process for H4 and above involves pressure impregnation of CCA or Copper Chromium Arsenate. This packs a fairly big punch and needs to be treated with respect. A more recent development for H3 and below involves using LOSP or Light Organic Solvent Protection which is still effective and user friendly.
Like with any project around the garden and home you always need to be safety conscious and particularly so with treated pine as it does contain chemicals. When handling the pine it is a good idea to wear gloves and wash your hands after you have finished working with it. Another important safety tip is to never try to lift more than you can handle.
Like with any timber products you will find some stuff that may be faulty and you don’t want to use that. Make sure you check the timber for splitting or knots that could cause a week point in the timber.
Presenter: Nigel Ruck
Treated pine has been around for ages and you can use it for all sorts of landscaping projects such as fencing, decks, pergolas and retaining walls, but there are a few things you need to know to get the job done quickly.
Treated pine comes in many shapes and sizes, from large round logs, a range of different sized sleepers’ right down to garden edging and pegs, with a heap of stuff in between. It is harvested from plantation timber and so it is a renewable resource and a cost effective building material for numerous gardening projects.
Treated pine comes with a hazard rating that is labelled with the letter ‘H’ and a number after it. This is very important and relates to what it can be used for. For example H3 is for above ground use such as decks and pergolas, H4 is for in ground use such as posts and retaining walls and H5 can be used in contact with fresh water. These three are the most common for landscaping projects.
The treatment process for H4 and above involves pressure impregnation of CCA or Copper Chromium Arsenate. This packs a fairly big punch and needs to be treated with respect. A more recent development for H3 and below involves using LOSP or Light Organic Solvent Protection which is still effective and user friendly.
Like with any project around the garden and home you always need to be safety conscious and particularly so with treated pine as it does contain chemicals. When handling the pine it is a good idea to wear gloves and wash your hands after you have finished working with it. Another important safety tip is to never try to lift more than you can handle.
Like with any timber products you will find some stuff that may be faulty and you don’t want to use that. Make sure you check the timber for splitting or knots that could cause a week point in the timber.
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