Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. Waiting a year or “a season” before applying a finish is a bit of misinformation about treated wood that has been circling around retail yards and contractors for some time. Unless the coating manufacturer stipulates otherwise, you can apply a stain or water repellent to the wood as soon as it is dry to the touch. It will depend on the weather, the exposure to sunlight and how wet the wood was when it was installed (it is saturated with water during pressure treatment).

To test that the treated wood is surface dry, sprinkle water droplets on the surface. If the water droplets are absorbed into the wood, it is ready for stain. If not, try sprinkling again in a few days. When you apply a protective finish be sure to follow the manufacturer’s recommendations, especially on how and when it should be applied. 
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Wood is a natural product and due to its innate characteristics, it shrinks as it loses moisture and swells as it gains moisture. Changes in humidity and temperature can result in warping, checking, and splitting. The development of these seasoning characteristics is normal. Applying a water repellent or stain with water repellent as soon as the wood is dry to the touch will help to reduce the effects of seasoning and weathering. 
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Nothing is “maintenance-free”. Pressure treating protects wood against structural failure due to rot, fungal decay or termite attack. However, moisture, sun, and outdoor conditions will cause wood to show signs of weathering. Natural weathering such as raised grain, splitting, checking, twisting, warping, shrinkage, or swelling occurs in both treated and untreated wood if left unprotected outdoors. To help reduce these effects, apply a high quality water repellent or stain with water repellent as soon as the wood is dry to the touch.

• Clean annually and keep your deck free from dirt and debris.
• A solution of liquid detergent and water with a stiff brush will remove mildew and dirt.
• For hard to clean surfaces, use a deck brightener containing oxalic acid to retain the wood’s natural beauty.
• Never use household chloride bleaches or foaming cleaners as they can strip the preservatives and damage the wood fibers leaving an unnatural whitewashed appearance.
• Be careful if using a pressure-washer as excessive pressure may cause damage to the wood.

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A wide range of wood finishing products have been formulated for exterior wood care. As a general rule, you need pigments or colour in the product to protect the wood surface against UV damage. Always read the finishing product label and follow the manufacturer’s recommendations on how and when the product should be applied.

• Use a good quality oil-based or water-based stain, or exterior wood water sealant product with UV protection to help prevent the wood from turning gray from exposure to the sun.
• Apply a water repellent sealer at least every two years.
• Follow the manufacturer’s instructions.

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Left unprotected, the warm brown colour of HiLine Treated will fade to a soft tan or beige and will gradually transition to grey. The length of time will vary according to the exposure to sunlight, the wood species and the application. 
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Natural colour variations in the product are to be expected due to varying exposure conditions and different species of wood. In addition, colour variations may occur between heartwood and sapwood and knot areas from board to board or within the same piece of wood.

On some HiLine Treated wood a green colour may appear along the grain of the wood and around knots. Over time the green colour will soften and blend into the overall tone of the wood.
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HiLine Treated Wood products may be used to construct raised garden beds. The HiLine Treated Wood process is certified by Scientific Certification Systems, Inc. (SCS) as an Environmentally Preferable Product (EPP) based on SCS’ Life-Cycle Assessment. Very small amounts of copper and azole will migrate out of HiLine Treated wood over time. If it is desirable to minimize the migration of copper or azole into the soil of a raised garden bed, we recommend that a suitable thin plastic material be used as a barrier between the HiLine Treated wood and the raised garden bed soil. The use of a plastic barrier will also help keep soil within the bed area. For proper drainage, the plastic material should not be used underneath the raised garden bed.

A new generation of copper-based wood preservative – Micronized Copper Azole (MCA), MicroPro Sienna is used to pressure treat HiLine Treated wood . The copper is micronized or mechanically ground to sub-micron size for pressure treating without the use of solvents. This technology reduces the environmental footprint of MicroPro Sienna to less than half that of traditional treated wood.

• MicroPro was the first, and is the only, wood treatment process to be certified as an Environmentally Preferable Product (EPP), by Scientific Certification Systems (SCS), based on Life-Cycle Assessment.
• UL GREENGUARD GOLD Certification indicates that MicroPro preservative technology has undergone rigorous testing and has met stringent standards for low volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions. Products certified to this criteria are suitable for use in schools, offices, and other sensitive environments.
• Wood products treated with MicroPro technology are eligible for more green building points toward NGBS Green Certification than other treated wood.

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Cuts and large drill holes in pressure treated wood that expose untreated wood must be protected against rot and decay. Failure to apply Cut-N-Seal or another registered end-cut wood preservative at the time of construction will void the MicroPro Sienna Lifetime Residential Limited Warranty.

• For pressure treated timbers and for pressure treated wood used in ground contact applications, a brush on end-cut wood preservative is required at the time of construction on all saw cuts, drill holes and other field cuts. Two applications of a copper naphthenate based end-cut preservative must be applied to the treated wood before it is installed. Follow the manufacturer’s directions for proper application.
• For pressure treated wood used in above ground applications, such as deck boards, railings, post tops or fence boards, Cut-N-Seal® or another registered end-cut wood preservative should be applied to all saw cuts, drill holes and other field cuts at the time of construction. Follow the manufacturer’s directions for proper application.
• For exterior project applications, treat all field-cut ends of boards and drilled holes with a brush-on wood preservative. Copper naphthenate formulations are available from home centers, lumber dealers and hardware stores. Deck stains and sealers do not provide adequate protection.
• Butt boards tightly together during installation as they will shrink slightly in width and thickness as they dry out.
• Pre-drill holes at the ends of boards, no closer than 1/2″ from board ends or sides, to help prevent splitting.
• Use screws to improve holding performance.
• Install fasteners flush to the wood surface. Do not overdrive fastener.
• Install the un-cut end of support posts in ground contact applications.

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No. HiLine Treated wood is no more corrosive to fasteners than untreated wood. A new generation of copper-based wood preservative — Micronized Copper Azole (MCA) — is used to pressure treat HiLine Treated wood. The copper is micronized or mechanically ground to sub-micron size for pressure treating without the use of solvents. Eliminating the solvent in the preservative has made HiLine Treated wood a more compatible building material. Use exterior fasteners and hardware that are in compliance with the manufacturer’s recommendations and the building codes for their intended use. 
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Yes. Aluminum building products can be placed in direct contact with HiLine Treated wood used for interior uses and above ground exterior applications such as decks, fencing and landscape projects. However, HiLine Treated wood in direct contact with aluminum products should only be used in code compliant construction applications that provide proper water drainage and do not allow the wood to be exposed to, or remain in contact with a continual moisture source, standing water or water immersion. In addition, HiLine Treated wood should not be encased, sealed, or wrapped with aluminum products where trapped moisture or water can occur so as to avoid pitting or other unwanted results. 
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On treated wood used for structural applications (joists, beams, posts), you’ll see fine incisions on the surface of the wood. Incising is the process of piercing the surface of wood with small cuts, before treatment, to allow more preservative to consistently penetrate beyond the surface of the wood. Incising improves protection and lengthens the service life of treated wood. It also helps to reduce surface splitting by decreasing the surface tension. Incising is required to meet treating penetration requirements to provide sufficient preservative performance of structural materials.

• The built-in wood stabilizer keeps boards straighter and minimizes cracking, checking and splitting.
• An environmentally advanced, non-metallic preservative, HiLine Treated wood is extremely effective at .019 pcf retention, a fraction of competing products that use two times the chemicals to achieve adequate above ground product performance.
• The water repellent stabilizer is a built-in part of the preservative system and not an add-on that can vary by treater supplier.
• Fights exposure to the sun and rain and is used in building decks, railings, fence pickets, arbors, trellises, joists and beams.
• Less corrosive to connectors and fasteners and can be used in direct contact with aluminum products, even in continuously wet applications.
• Unsurpassed in effectiveness with virtually no warranty claims in its history.
• Designed for above ground applications six inches or more off the ground.

• Use code-approved hot-dipped galvanized or stainless steel corrosion-resistant fasteners and G185 hot-dipped galvanized connectors for exterior use.
• Do not mix metals. If using hot-dipped galvanized fasteners, use hot-dipped galvanized connectors. If using stainless steel fasteners, use stainless steel connectors.
• For coastal installations, use code-approved stainless steel.

• Wear gloves, goggles and dust mask when working with treated wood.
• Wash hands thoroughly with mild soap and water after working with treated wood.
• Do not burn or use treated wood debris as mulch.
• Do not use treated wood where it may come into direct or indirect contact with drinking water or a component of food, animal feed or beehives.
• Dispose of treated wood debris in accordance with local regulations.

• Mold that you find on pressure treated wood is not an indication of a fungal attack. Mold can grow on the surface of many products including wood (treated and untreated) due to exposure to moisture. To remove mold from your treated deck, use mild soap and water solution and a stiff brush.

Mold Growth

• Mold and mildew are present everywhere in our environment, both indoors and outdoors. Mold and mildew need four things to thrive: air, water, temperatures between 32 and 120°F, and a food source, conditions that are common wherever humans live, work, and play.
• The best way to minimize mold and mildew growth is to control water and food sources. When it comes to mold or mildew on wood decking, water and organic matter are the primary conditions that enable mold and mildew colonies to thrive. To minimize these conditions, make sure water has the ability to flow away from the deck surface and areas surrounding the deck to lessen the absorption of water. Ensure there is adequate ventilation between deck boards and underneath the deck surface, so water can rapidly evaporate.
• And since both mold and mildew feed on dead or decaying organic matter, it is important to keep your deck clean of leaves and debris.

Cleaning Your Deck

• To minimize mold on your decking, clean your deck as often as needed, at least twice each year. Climate conditions vary in different regions of the country and may necessitate more periodic cleaning.
• Remove leaves, debris, and other organic materials that provide a food source for mold.
• If mold is present, there are many commercial products available for cleaning. We recommend commercial cleaners containing oxalic acid. For best results, follow the manufacturer’s instructions and use cleaners within their stated shelf life. Do not mix recommended cleaning products together as harmful chemical reactions could occur. 
• We do not recommend household chloride bleaches or foaming cleaners as they can strip the preservatives and damage the wood fibers leaving an unnatural whitewashed appearance. 
• To maximize application coverage, remove excessive organic growth or clumps prior to applying the cleaner.

Coatings for High Mold-Prone Environments

• For environments prone to high mold growth, there are commercially available coatings and finishes that seal the wood surface when applied and they should be maintained per the manufacturer’s instructions.
• Coatings should be applied within one week of cleaning for best results.
• Prior to coating, properly clean the decking, rinse thoroughly with water and allow to dry completely.
• Sweep off any pollen and debris.

Tips for Minimizing Mold

• Maintain a deck that is dry and clean.
• Ensure gutters / down-spouts and dryer vents do not discharge directly on decks.
• Ensure adequate ventilation under and between decking boards.
• Minimize water puddles under decks and the use of wet mulch up against the deck structure.
• Cleaning a deck just after the last of the major pollen events (when your car doesn’t change color from the pollen anymore) will minimize the seasonal outbreak of mold and mildew.
• Periodically rinse off your deck using a garden hose with a spray nozzle, especially after the major pollen events. Skilled professionals may use pressure washers with wide fan tips but in the wrong hands, your deck can be damaged. Exercise extreme caution when using pressure washers.
• Ensure the gaps between the decking boards remain free of debris so that regular rain showers can remove pollen and organic debris between cleanings.
• Avoid fertilizer over-spray.

Pressure treated wood is the application of a preservative formulation that is forced into the wood under pressure in a large cylinder. AWPA treatments are a safe and proven means to preserve and protect outdoor wood from decay and termite attack. Pressure treatments extend the life of wood, and reduce the impacts on forests, making them truly one of the most sustainable building materials used in the world today.

Lumber that has been treated to AWPA above-ground retention levels (UC3B) is standardized to provide a level of performance that is appropriate for above-ground applications. Proven above-ground products that meet the AWPA standards have historically performed well without the excessive use, or potential costs, associated with increasing those preservative levels for high-decay/ground contact level treatments.

Treated lumber does not adhere to a universal grade specification, and producers often procure materials from multiple suppliers with varying grade standards. At West Fraser, however, most of our treated products are manufactured on-site to a consistently high-grade standard. This results in a more uniform and reliable end product, making it ideal for visible applications like decking and fencing.

In this economy, everyone is looking for ways to save money and stay in business. The building products industry is no exception. With increased competition for sales and market share, lowering the quality of products or services is one way to save money. While a reduction in cost and quality might help some organizations survive on a short-term basis, it can have unintended long-term consequences. For this reason alone, it’s important to provide high-quality products and services to the public to maintain the trust of the customer to gain repeat business and positive referrals. AWPA has been the premier developer of consensus-based standards for treated wood products since 1904, which is why the building codes rely on AWPA Standards.

There are naturally-occurring fungi in the ground that attack lumber, so lumber destined to be used in the ground must be treated to a higher standard, or retention level, of fungi-resistant preservatives in the wood. The end tags on treated lumber will provide you with proper use designations. Look for Above Ground or Ground Contact on the end tag.

Retention levels refer to the amount of preservative retained in the wood following the treatment process. Retention levels can be different based on the wood preservative system used to pressure treat the wood product and its intended end use (ground contact, above ground contact, etc.). It is recommended to purchase treated wood products for the intended exposure condition. Typically, wood products are treated for “above ground use” and “ground contact use”. The treated wood end tag should state the recommended end use for the treated wood product.