FAQ

Preserved wood extends forest resources, allowing one tree to do the work of many. In addition to enabling wood to last a long time or resist flames or mold, our brands have all of the environmental and other advantages associated with wood itself. For example, wood:

• Is a renewable resource grown on managed timberlands. Trees remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and wood products store carbon, thus reducing greenhouse gasses.
• Requires less energy to produce than alternative building materials; it is made from sunlight and soil nutrients, rather than fossil fuels
• Offers greater insulation value than alternatives.
• Is lighter in weight, and can often be installed with lighter equipment which has less environmental impact.

In addition, wood offers excellent workability with common construction skills and tools, plus it provides design flexibility and economy. Wood is generally less costly than alternative building materials and is considered easier to work with, not to mention aesthetically preferable in many applications.

Unlike plastics, steel, and concrete, Madison wood is made from a renewable resource grown on managed timberlands. It requires less energy to produce than plastics and offers greater insulation value; and, because of its lighter weight, preserved wood can often be installed with lighter equipment which has less environmental impact. Wood products reduce greenhouse gasses, and preservative treatment extends their service life.

When using wood for economical building material and structural/decorative applications, it is important that we properly protect the products we sell in order to ensure long-term use for our customers. Because wood is used indoors and outdoors it is susceptible to several environmental factors. Bacteria, fungi, and insects are just a few of the destructive organisms that work to deteriorate the wood if it is not properly preserved. Treating lumber prevents the wood from breaking down and becoming unstable. By expanding the life-span of the trees used, we are able to utilize our natural resource efficiently.

The treating process is multifaceted and highly monitored by experienced personnel.

1. Lumber, timbers, or plywood is loaded onto a sophisticated lumber handling system that automatically transfers the lumber into a large, horizontal treating cylinder.
2. The cylinder door is sealed and a vacuum is applied to remove air from the cylinder and the wood cells.
3. The cylinder is then filled with the preservative solution.
4. The pressure is raised to about 150 pounds per square inch, forcing the preservative into the wood. Treating time varies depending on species of wood, commodity being treated, and the amount of preservative to be impregnated.
5. At the end of the process, excess treating solution is pumped out of the cylinder and back to a storage tank for later re-use.
6. A final vacuum removes excess preservative from wood cells. The cylinder door is opened and the automatic lumber handling system is pulled out.

Wood dries depending on climate and its exposure to certain weather conditions. High heat and low moisture allows wood to dry significantly faster than cool and damp temperatures. Most suppliers recommend that you wait at least 6 months before applying paint, stain or sealer.

To immediately accept paint, stain, or a coat of water repellent sealer, pressure treated lumber MUST be re-dried properly to assure the necessary penetration and adhesion. Moisture trapped inside improperly re-dried wood is the most common cause of paint blistering and peeling. Always follow the paint manufacturer’s recommendations.

A brush on endcoat wood preservative should be applied at the time of construction on all saw cuts and drill holes for treated wood products using an AWPA accepted preservative system as outlined in the AWPA Standard for the Care of Preservative-Treated Wood Products. Orient embedded support columns so original factory treated ends are in ground contact. Cut ends should face upward and be covered with post caps or cut at angles to shed water and treated with a topical preservative.

Wood technologists tell us that the fiber saturation level of wood is reached when it holds a moisture content of about 28%. They also point out that wood shrinks approximately 1% for every 4 percentage points below the 28% level. To insure maximum satisfaction, the lumber should be dried or “pre-shrunk” before installation. Changing conditions such as rain, temperature, sun, shade, and relative humidity will all affect the moisture content of wood. Thus, some changes in its size can be expected. Experience has shown that lumber dried to 19% moisture content, installed outdoors, will undergo limited dimensional changes. Warpage, another result of lumber shrinkage, is also minimized when the wood has been properly dried prior to installation. All lumber shrinks as it dries. The place for this shrinkage to occur is under controlled circumstances at the treating plant, not after it is erected in a home or other structure.

The excess moisture resulting from the treating process adds appreciably to the weight of the lumber. This added weight increases handling costs for the supplier and the builder throughout the construction process. #1 Dry Select is “dried after treatment” to 19% moisture content in dry kilns. Properly re-dried CA pressure-treated lumber is the type of wood that carpenters and other workers prefer to handle, cut, and install on any project.

Dry Select treated pine has:

• No delay necessary before painting or staining.
• Straighter grain and fewer knots.
• Higher load bearing capacity. You will have a stronger, safer structure.
• Minimized cracking, cupping, twisting.
• Lighter in weight, easier to handle.
• Greater fastener holding power.
• Building code compliance for all applications.

For the typical exterior structures exposed to the elements we advise builders to use “hot-dipped galvanized fasteners (meeting ASTM A 153) and connectors (ASTM A 653 Class G185 sheet), or better, for protection against the effects of moisture often present where treated wood is used. For Permanent Wood Foundations and corrosive environments, such as areas with saltwater spray, use 304 or 316 stainless steel.”

No maintenance is needed to renew resistance to fungi and termites when you are buying treated lumber from Madison Wood. There is a limited warranty against these organisms. However, protection is required to maintain the wood’s appearance against weather. Sun and rain cycles cause stresses in lumber and result in swelling, shrinking, warping, and cracking.

• To help protect your project against moisture damage, apply an effective brand of surface water repellent every year or two.
• To revitalize a dingy appearance caused by dirt and mildew, use a deck brightener to clean wood.

MadWood is our signature brand, selected and milled for unsurpassed appearance. You will find that each piece is hand selected and re-milled to remove any surface imperfections or raised grain. Madison Wood uses No. 1 SYP and we make sure that the best side has no grade stamp. MadWood is available in 2×4 and 2×6 anywhere from 8ft-20ft.

Madison Wood sells to stocking retail distributors who desire a high quality product at an affordable price. We do not sell directly to homeowners or contractors. Madison Wood’s market mainly encompasses the North East region of the United States. To find a store near you, use our Supplier Locator Map.