It’s easy being green
Michael Nicholls of OrganoWood UK explains what sustainability means when it comes to external wood treatment, and how self- builders can benefit from ‘going green’
tion material. However, wood is a hygroscopic (water-retaining) material and reacts constantly to the conditions of its environment. External wood therefore requires additional treatment to provide sufficient protection against external ele- ments, including rain, frost, UV rays and surface dirt, to maximise the material’s potential in vary- ing climates and conditions. Despite this, many self-builders are unaware of the harmful effects that some external wood treatments can have on the environment and close surroundings. While pressure-treated wood has been a
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common method to preserve exterior timber, it is not the only, or most sustainable, solution available. But what does sustainability means when it comes to wood treatment?
Earth-friendly ingredients
Some self-builders remain unaware of the haz- ardous process and harmful ingredients that are used to pressure-treat wood. During the pressure-treating process, toxic
ffering a beautiful combination of aesthetic and practical qualities, wood has always been a popular construc-
substances are injected into the wood and sub- sequently released into the air. Once produced, these harmful substances continue to seep into the environment via surface water and soil, harming the ecological surroundings and wildlife. Environmentally friendly solutions are manu-
factured using only natural ingredients, causing no harm to the surrounding environment or atmosphere.
Lasting protection
Sustainability also refers to the longevity and recyclability of the product. Sustainable wood means that the material is renewable due to the work that individuals do to manage the land- scape it originated from, preventing harm and damaging effects to the eco-systems, wildlife and trees themselves. The process for pressure treating wood
involves injecting harmful chemicals into the wood to protect it against external elements such as water, dirt and fire. By doing so, at the end of its life, the wood is classed as ‘haz- ardous waste’ and cannot be recycled or
reused in the same manner as non-pressure- treated wood. The wood isn’t allowed to be burnt or incinerated due to the toxic chemicals that may be released in the smoke and ashes. Pressure-treated wood has to be disposed of in a controlled manner, causing unnecessary landfill waste. On the contrary, eco-friendly treatment solu-
tions provide the same long-lasting, effective pro- tection without the use of harmful heavy metals, biocides and solvents. As such, organic wood protection systems are 100 per cent recyclable and reusable, unleashing no harmful pesticides into the environment at the end of their life, mak- ing them wholly sustainable.
‘Safe for all’
With no toxic chemicals or heavy metals included in the treatment process, environmen- tally friendly solutions are ideal for environments that are in close contact with children or ani- mals, such as picnic tables, fences, flower beds, pool decking or animal hutches. Arsenic is a chemical used in one of the most common pressure-treatments, CCA (chromated
selfbuilder & homemaker
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