The (Many!) Advantages of Using Pressure Treated Wood for Fencing

Pressure treated wood is a construction material treated with chemical preservatives. The chemical preservatives are meant to prevent termite attacks, fungal decay, and rotting. The wood is placed inside a closed cylinder that creates a vacuum that forces the chemical preservatives to penetrate the wood deeply.

In the past, pressure treated wood earned a bad rap for safety reasons. In fact, the Environmental Protection Agency outlawed the production of pressure treated wood in 2003. However, newer, greener preservatives are now being used, making pressure treated wood a safer alternative to ordinary wood construction materials. In today’s post, we are listing down all the advantages of using pressure treated wood for fencing:

Durability

Pressure treated wood is extraordinarily durable thanks to the chemical preservatives infused to the lumber. These chemicals protect the wood from pests, insects, and fungal decay for decades. Most pressure treated lumber are resistant to termites and water damage. Compared to other types of wood, pressure treated lumber is able to hold up against everyday wear and tear. It is resistant to scratches and dents. Pressure treated wood is so durable, it can withstand the harshest of climates, making it an excellent fencing material.

Most brands of pressure treated wood offer a 40-year guarantee on their products. These types of treated wood are so durable; you don’t have to replace them often.

Affordable

Compared to other construction materials, pressure treated wood is more affordable. For instance, untreated wood like redwood, costs about 30% to 40% more than pressure treated wood. Using pressure treated wood on big building projects will cut down your total expense. Pressure treated wood is perfect for those working on a limited budget. Apart from being affordable, pressure treated wood is resistant to everyday wear and tear, which increases your savings.

Eco-Friendly

Yes, despite being chemically treated, pressure treated wood is ecofriendly! The process of treating the wood consumes less energy as other alternative building products. Treated wood is also more durable than your average lumber, reducing the necessity to burn fossil fuel to cut down trees and destroying forests. Treated wood is typically treated with copper, which comes from recycled sources. This reduces the likelihood of copper ending up polluting the air.

Low Maintenance

Thanks to its durability and longevity, pressure treated wood is very low maintenance. You don’t have to baby this wood to preserve its integrity at all. The material is resistant to decay even when placed directly into the ground. Fungal diseases will not penetrate the surface of the wood and cause rotting. Some types of pressure treated wood are waterproof and warping resistant too, making them an ideal choice as fencing material. You never have to treat your wood or deal with pests, such as burrowing insects and termites, when you use pressure treated wood.

Pressure treated wood is toxic to insects, which is bad news for burrowing critters. As a fencing material, pressure treated wood actually repels destructive pests away from your home! This alone could save you hundreds of dollars in repair and maintenance costs!