Charlie Jourdain
Manager, Business Development
Degrees in Forestry, Wood Science, and Technology, and over 30 years of experience in the field, with an emphasis on wood quality
Email: CJourdain@MendoCo.com

Borate compounds are found in naturally occurring deposits and are a combination of boron and oxygen. Borates are very effective at killing wood destroying insects, fungi, and may also have some fire-retardant properties. The ability of borate compounds to diffuse in water is both an advantage and disadvantage. It allows the chemical to penetrate deeply into wet wood; therefore borate treatments do not require the wood to be incised prior to treatment. However, this property allows the borate chemical to leach out of the wood if exposed to wetting. As such, borate treated lumber and plywood must be protected from the weather and are not labeled for direct ground contact. Borates are also known for their relative safely and economy.

Uses: Sill plate, joists, studs, roof trusses, blocking, rafters, beams

Species: Douglas-fir, Hem fir, Southern Yellow Pine, Spruce-Pine-Fir

Color: Clear. Typically, a blue or green tinted dye is added to the treating solution to distinguish it from untreated wood

Copper-based wood preservatives have been in use for decades in North America and have proven safe and effective in countless residential, non-residential, and industrial applications, greatly extending

the service life of wood and helping to conserve a renewable resource. Copper-based wood preservatives can be used to treat any species or species group available in North America. Certain western species such as Douglas-fir and Hem fir require incising. This is done on a machine prior to treatment that creates many little slits in the wood allowing the preservative to penetrate deep enough to meet industry standard. The addition of colorants or stains to the lumber is used to enhance consumer demand in certain markets.

Uses: Decking, fencing, railings and accessories, joists, piling and poles, sill plate, sub flooring

Species: Douglas-fir, Hem fir, Southern Yellow Pine, Spruce-Pine-Fir

Color: Available browntone, cedartone, and traditional green

Incising: Refractory species such as Douglas-fir and Hem fir require incisions in the wood to allow the preservative to penetrate deeply enough to meet penetration and retention requirements for specified uses, such as Ground Contact

Chromated arsenicals, which include chromated copper arsenate (CCA), are a group of pesticides containing chromium, copper, and/or arsenic that protect wood against termites, fungi, and other pests.

In December 2003, chromated arsenicals manufacturers voluntarily discontinued manufacturing their product for homeowner use. CCA is still in use in industrial applications such as utility, highway, marine,

agricultural, and heavy construction.

Uses: Agricultural, guard rails, signposts, utility poles, marine

Species: Douglas-fir, Hem fir, Southern Yellow Pine, Spruce-Pine-Fir

Wood is a combustible material that will burn when exposed to fire. Fire retardant treated lumber and plywood are pressure impregnated with fire retardant chemicals that go deep into the wood, not just on

the surface. These chemicals slow the spread of flames and encourage the development of a char layer on the surface which insulates the wood below and slows fire growth. This process is designed to slow down the spread of flame and reduce smoke development because of fire, to give building occupants more time to escape. Fire retardant treated lumber and plywood must be specified based on end use, whether for interior or exterior, as the treatment process varies depending on end use. Interior use is limited to applications not exposed to weather or wetting.

Uses: Floor joists, floor sheathing, partition walls, plywood sheathing, rafters, roof trusses, sill plate, sub flooring, studs, wall sheathing, 1 & 2 Hour Wall Assemblies

Species: Douglas-fir, Hem fir, Southern Yellow Pine, Spruce-Pine-Fir

Color: Clear. Typically, a red dye is added to the solution to distinguish it from untreated wood

Incising: Not applicable

Allweather Wood® Classic Douglas-fir Decking is a premium, natural wood decking product. Easy to install and maintain, Allweather Wood Classic Douglas-fir Decking is formulated specifically for use in the Pacific Northwest. Each deck board is selected for appearance and stained a beautiful, warm wood tone to enhance the wood's natural beauty. Eased edges allow for better drainage when wet. A complete line of accessories is also available for Allweather Wood® Classic Douglas-fir Decking.

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Allweather Wood® Deck is pressure treated Hem fir Decking. Allweather Wood Deck boards are hand-selected for appearance and stained a warm, wood tone. A complete line of accessories is also available for Allweather Wood® Deck.

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Allweather Wood® offers an innovative Superior KDAT (kiln dried after treatment) Decking product for our customer base in Colorado, New Mexico, and Wyoming. Allweather Wood Superior KDAT Decking features the advanced technology of mCA with BARamine, and offers several distinct benefits over other wood decking alternatives:

• Superior appearance and low wane

• Reduced lineal and horizontal shrinkage

• Lighter in weight and easier to handle than regular treated lumber

• Readily accepts stains and finishes

• Covered by a Limited Six-Month Consumer Warranty

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In order to offer our customers a Class A flame-spread rated exterior fire retardant decking product, Allweather Wood works with Chemco, Inc. of Ferndale, Washington to pressure treat Humboldt Sawmill Superior Common redwood decking with Thermex-FR®. The result is Humboldt Sawmill Class A Exterior redwood decking. This product is covered by a Limited Lifetime Warranty. In addition to decking, accessory items such as joists, railings, and other specialty items are available.

Class A flame-spread rating means this product can be used under even the most stringent Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) building codes throughout the country, including the International Code Council® International Wildland-Urban Interface Code (IWUIC). The IWUIC code requires decks to be constructed of approved fire retardant treated wood specified for exterior use. Under such guidelines, only a Class A flame-spread rated exterior wood product would qualify for usage.

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Allweather Wood fencing is manufactured from Douglas-fir, Hem fir, Ponderosa, and Lodgepole Pine, preservative treated and graded for appearance. A full selection of products is available including fence boards, fence posts, ranch fencing, and sawn posts. Allweather Wood stained fencing is an attractive option for commercial and residential applications where appearance is important. Allweather Wood stained fencing is a warm wood tone..

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Allweather Wood preservative treated round fencing is a hard-working option for agricultural and heavy-duty applications where durability is important. 

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Above Ground Preservative Treated Lumber

Allweather Wood above ground preservative treated lumber may be used for a wide range of end use applications not in direct contact with the ground.

Uses: Deck boards, deck railings and accessories, fence boards and rails, trellis, lattice

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Allweather Wood ground contact preservative treated lumber digs deep for long-lasting performance. Best for building applications that require contact with the ground, such as burying posts in soil or setting them in concrete. Allweather Wood ground contact preservative treated lumber meets requirements of model building codes for many applications and is treated to the standards of the American Wood Protection Association (AWPA).

Uses: Ground level deck, stair stringers, ledgers, beams, joists, fence posts, retaining walls, ground level walkway

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Allweather Wood fire retardant treated lumber is highly effective at controlling the spread of flame and smoke, increasing evacuation time, and potentially reducing damages and repair costs caused by fire. Allweather Wood fire retardant lumber exhibits a flame spread and smoke developed index of 25 or less under ASTM E84 surface burning characteristics in tests of 30-minute duration without evidence of significant progressive combustion. The product meets all U.S. major model building code requirements and is suitable for use in sensitive environments such as schools, healthcare facilities, hotels, and multi-family. Allweather Wood fire retardant treated lumber is backed by a 50-Year Limited Warranty.

Uses: Beams and purlins, blocking and furring, millwork and trim, studs, sill plate, rafters, floor and roof joists, roof trusses, backing for electrical panels

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Low humidity climates in Colorado, New Mexico, and Wyoming present challenges to products used in exterior applications. 

Superior KDAT by Allweather Wood starts with high grade lumber selected for appearance and low wane. Graded by a patented, computerized system, Superior KDAT lumber is manufactured to remain consistent and predictable. Each board is stamped with an arrow indicating the direction the board may crown, allowing builders, contractors, homeowners, and others to build with confidence.

Why choose Superior KDAT by Allweather Wood? 

• Reduced crowning and joists that crown in opposite directions

• Minimized length and width shrinkage

• Joists pulling away from the house or other structure

• Significantly lighter and easier to handle than regular preservative treated lumber

• Covered by a Limited Six-Month Consumer Warranty

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Allweather Wood above ground preservative treated plywood may be used for a wide range of end use applications fully protected from the weather. Allweather Wood above ground preservative treated plywood meets requirements of model building codes for many applications and is treated to the standards of the American Wood Protection Association (AWPA).

Uses: Floor sheathing, roof and wall sheathing, sub flooring

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Allweather Wood ground contact preservative treated plywood may be used for a wide range of end use applications that contact the ground. Allweather Wood ground contact preservative treated plywood meets requirements of model building codes for many applications and is treated to the standards of the American Wood Protection Association (AWPA).

Uses Bulkheads, highway construction, retaining walls, tanks and cooling towers, wood foundation

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Allweather Wood fire retardant treated plywood is treated with the same preservatives as Allweather Wood fire retardant treated lumber and meets the same flame spread and smoke developed index of 25 or less under ASTM E84. The product meets all U.S. major model building code requirements. Allweather Wood fire retardant treated plywood is backed by a 50-Year Limited Warranty.

Uses Floor sheathing, roof and wall sheathing, sub flooring, steps and stairways, 1 & 2 Hour Wall Assemblies, platforms, stages, mezzanines, partition walls, interior partitions, backing for electrical panels

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Allweather Wood ground contact preservative treated poles and round stock are manufactured for heavy-duty agricultural and industrial applications. 

Uses: Ag fencing, barns, hay sheds, lean-to sheds, pilings, pole barns, utility poles

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Allweather Wood preservative treated timbers are available in a range of preservative treatment options and Western species. Stocking dimensions include 4x6 through 8x8.

Uses: Framing, headers, studs, landscaping, pilings, posts, retaining walls

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Preservative treated wood can be used in a variety of building applications including interior, exterior, above ground, ground contact, marine, and fire retardant. Voluntary wood preservation standards are developed by the American Wood Protection Association (AWPA), a non-profit organization founded in 1904. AWPA Standards are written to safely and effectively extend the service life of preservative treated wood and are universally specified for wood preservation in the United States. AWPA Standards are also recognized worldwide.

The AWPA Use Category System (UCS) provides a simple way of using AWPA Standards. All preservative treated wood products can be placed into one of five use categories, based upon biodeterioration hazard and expected product performance. Fire retardant treated wood products are placed in their own unique use category class. The advantage of this system is simplicity, assisting specifiers and other users in the selection of the appropriate preservative treated wood product for a particular project. 

Allweather Wood preservative treated wood products are manufactured to AWPA industry standards.

When handling and using preservative treated wood, precaution should be taken to use and dispose of the material properly. Many of these common sense precautions also apply to untreated wood and other building materials. The state of California has additional consumer notification requirements with regards to Wood Dust and the state's Proposition 65 program.