ProWood Micro Pressure-Treated Lumber FAQ
Lumber’s greatest enemy is biological attack—destruction by termites, fungi and marine borers. After more than a half century of scientific tests and practical experience with various treating chemicals, there is a variety of weapons that have been formulated to protect wood against insects, rot and decay.
Why use pressure-treated lumber?
What preservatives are used for pressure treatment and how long are they effective?
What is MicroPro?
How do I know if my treated wood is properly treated for my intended end use?
What ingredients make up ProWood Micro CA?
How does ProWood Micro CA differ from ACQ?
Is special handling required?
How safe is treated wood?
What does it mean to be a Certified Environmentally Preferable Product (EPP)?
What does it mean to be a NAHB Green Approved Product?
What is GREENGUARD Children & Schools Certification
Do you recommend painting ProWood Micro CA treated wood?
Can preserved wood be used indoors?
Why can I use pressure-treated wood for a picnic table and not a countertop?
Can treated wood be used in gardening?
What is the significance of the tags stapled to my lumber?
Are there different types of treated wood for different uses?
Any fastener recommendations when building with ProWood Micro CA?
I cut the end off of my pressure-treated wood, and it looks like it isn’t treated in the middle. Do I have a bad piece of treated wood?
Is it safe to use pressure treated lumber for animal enclosures such as a bird feeder or fish pond retaining wall? I have heard that leaching may be a problem.
After my project is built, is any special maintenance necessary?
Does ProWood Micro CA qualify for continuing education learning credits?
Why use pressure-treated lumber?
Lumber’s greatest enemy is biological attack—destruction by termites, fungi and marine borers. After more than a half century of scientific tests and practical experience with various treating chemicals, there are a variety of weapons that have been formulated to protect wood against insects, rot and decay.
What preservatives are used for pressure treatment and how long are they effective?
For a long time, CCA (Chromated Copper Arsenate) has been used as a reliable wood preservative. CCA-treated wood protects against all major forms of destructive attack and is effective for many years. More recently, preservative manufacturers made a transition to a newer preservative, ACQ (Alkaline Copper Quaternary). ACQ is also effective for decades, reducing demands on forest resources. The next generation of preserved wood is ProWood Micro CA, a revolutionary product being offered throughout the United States by Universal Forest Products. ProWood Micro CA pressure treated wood is treated with micronized copper preservatives, which help protect agasint termite damage and fungal decay.
What is MicroPro?
ProWood Micro CA uses the MicroPro treating solution produced by Osmose, Inc. MicroPro pressure treated wood is treated with micronized copper preservatives, which help protect against termite damage and fungal decay. The MicroPro preservative system used to produce ProWood Micro CA treated wood utilizes a proven technique where copper is milled into sub-micron sized particles. These copper particles are then suspended, instead of dissolved, in the wood preservative solution used during the pressure treatment process.
Using micronized copper eliminates the need for a solvent, which is required for ACQ and Copper Azole. This results in key benefits to the consumer: better performance, better corrosion properties and a fresh, more natural appearance.
How do I know if my treated wood is properly treated for my intended end use?
First, you will want to look for a lumber end tag. Each piece of Universal Forest Products’ treated wood contains a tag with information regarding the preservative used, the appropriate end use (i.e. above ground or ground contact), the quality standard and safe handling information.
In some cases, building code regulations mandate the use of treated wood that meets certain standards. The International Code Council (ICC) develops model building codes for use nationwide. ProWood® Micro CA has been evaluated by the ICC-ES to be code compliant with the details listed under the ESR-1980 Report and the ESR-2240 Report. In the case of treated wood the ICC relies primarily on the American Wood-Preservers' Assoc. (AWPA) to determine appropriate standards of treatment for specific preservatives in specific end uses. They also offer their own ICC Evaluation Service as a way to determine if a product is suitable. Quality control measures are laid out to ensure the treated wood that is produced meets the quality standards. In addition to in-house quality checking, manufacturers are also required to subscribe to an independent inspection agency who verifies for customers that the wood was treated in accordance with the applicable standards. Manufacturers who are in good standing with the 3rd party inspection agency will carry that agency's quality mark on the lumber end tag.
For an independent viewpoint on how to tell if your wood is properly treated, view the USDA's Forest Products Laboratory TechLine on new wood treatments.
What ingredients make up ProWood Micro CA?
ProWood Micro CA is a waterborne system that is copper based. Together, the compounds of copper and azole (for CA) provide protection from a broad spectrum of fungi and termites, preventing rot and decay. Laboratory and field studies have proven that micronized copper products provide protection against fungal decay and termites in both above ground and ground contact applications.
How does ProWood Micro CA differ from ACQ?
ProWood Micro CA uses “micronized” copper particles that bond permanently to wood cells. ProWood Micro CA causes less corrosion in fasteners and gives wood a lighter, fresher appearance after treatment than ACQ.
Is special handling required?
Our Safe Handling Information Sheets outline specific handling tips.
The single most important precaution is DO NOT BURN TREATED WOOD. When pressure-treated wood is burned, the preservative chemicals concentrate in the ash and can be inhaled. Wear gloves when handling treated lumber. And always wear safety goggles and a dust mask when sawing or cutting treated lumber just as you would with untreated lumber.
How safe is treated wood?
ProWood Micro CA pressure treated wood is very safe when used in the appropriate applications as directed. The preservative injected into lumber reacts with the wood substance to form an insoluble complex. It won’t evaporate or vaporize. ProWood Micro CA treated wood is clean, odorless, non-staining, safe to work with and handle. Its built-in protection is non-irritating to for dermal contact with children, adults, animals and plants. The minute amounts of preservative released during a treated wood structure’s serviceable lifetime have been carefully studied. The conclusion is clear: it is safe for the environment and safe for contact with people and pets. In our opinion, ProWood Micro CA treated wood — as with any wood product — should not be used where household pets would be likely to chew on or ingest the wood. The process used to treat ProWood Micro CA is the first to gain Environmentally Preferable Product (EPP) as certified by Scientific Certification Systems (SCS). Scientific Certification Systems is a third-party certification services and standards development company. According to the EPA, to be EPP certified means that the product has a reduced impact on human health and the environment when compared to other products that serve the same purpose.
What does it mean to be a Certified Environmentally Preferable Product (EPP)?
The process used to treat ProWood Micro CA is the first to gain Environmentally Preferable Product (EPP) status as certified by Scientific Certification Systems (SCS). Scientific Certification Systems is a third-party certification services and standards development company. According to the EPA, to be EPP certified means that the product has a reduced impact on human health and the environment when compared to other products that serve the same purpose.
What does it mean to be a NAHB Green Approved Product?
Green Approved Products are products that the NAHB Research Center has approved as being eligible to contribute points toward certification of a building under the National Green Building Standard™. ProWood Micro uses MicroPro wood preservative technology from Osmose, Inc. MicroPro earned Green Approved Product certification from the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) Research Center under the National Green Building Standard Program. By using ProWood Micro products, architects, specifiers, homebuilders and contractors are eligible to receive points toward a building being certified under the National Green Building Standard.
What is GREENGUARD Children & Schools Certification?
The GREENGUARD Children & Schools Certification is awarded to products that are intended for use in schools, daycares, or other locations where children spend large amounts of time. The certification shows that a product adheres to the highest standards for chemical emissions, ensuring public safety, regardless of age.
Do you recommend painting ProWood Micro CA treated wood?
Although ProWood Micro CA provides a surface that is easier for paints to cover, we do not recommend painting it. ProWood does not need protection from the elements, paints and varnishes peel over time and maintenance of a horizontal painted surface is frequent and tedious. But, if your decorative decisions do call for paint, make sure the wood is dry before application. (Pour some water over the surface. If it beads, wait; if it seeps into the wood, it’s ready to paint.)
Can preserved wood be used indoors?
Treated wood may be used indoors for any application except cutting boards and countertops.
Why can I use pressure-treated wood for a picnic table and not a countertop?
Simply because picnic tables are primarily used for serving prepared food while a kitchen countertop is used primarily as a cutting surface for raw food.
Can treated wood be used in gardening?
Yes. Treated timbers used to construct raised vegetable and flowerbeds are increasingly popular and practical. Recent scientific tests prove there is no significant uptake of preservatives into plants. And treated wood used for tomato stakes, flowerbed edging, planters, retaining walls, trellises, and compost bins have the added advantage of lifetime durability.
Check out our blog post on this topic.
What is the significance of the tags stapled to my lumber?
Universal Forest Products places end tags on all of its pressure-treated products to ensure that our customers know key information about the product such as the type of warranty, whether it is for use in direct ground contact or only above ground applications, and where applicable, information needed for acceptance by local building codes. Many of these tags on our treated wood products even have detailed information on the safe handling of our pressure-treated products, the same information contained in the Safe Handling Information Sheets.
Are there different types of treated wood for different uses?
Yes. Our tags will always state “above ground only” or “ground contact” so you can be sure you are using the right material for the job. Higher levels of preservative are available for special purposes such as extensive moisture/earthen contact - e.g., in foundations, pole barns, fresh & saltwater docks, culverts, etc. For more detail, refer to the End Uses for ProWood page.
Any fastener recommendations when building with ProWood Micro CA?
Use hot-dip galvanized fasteners or other fasteners as required by building codes; otherwise, your treated wood will last longer than the unprotected fasteners you've used to put it together. In addition, carbon steel fasteners may be used for UC1 and UC2 interior or above ground, weather protected applications such as sill plates, interior framing and interior trusses. Since ProWood Micro CA is less corrosive than ACQ, these recommendations are the same as they were with CCA-treated lumber. Fastener manufacturers may also recommend products that work well with ProWood Micro CA. View the ProWood Micro Advantage - Fasteners page for more information.
Aluminum building products can be placed in direct contact with ProWood Micro CA treated wood products used for interior uses and above ground exterior applications such as decks, fencing, and landscaping projects. Examples of aluminum products include siding, roofing, gutters, door and window trim, flashing, nails, fasteners and other hardware connectors. Aluminum contact is not recommended when ProWood Micro CA treated wood products are immersed in water or are subject to frequent and prolonged wetting or other severe exposure conditions. In such cases, a moisture resistant protective barrier should be placed between the aluminum products and ProWood Micro CA treated wood.
I cut the end off of my pressure-treated wood, and it looks like it isn’t treated in the middle. Do I have a bad piece of treated wood?
No. Most commonly this is heartwood which is naturally decay resistant. This is doesn't indicate if the wood was properly treated, and you do not need to be concerned. With the exception of some Western species, these end cuts do not require any special treatment. Refer to the ProWood Micro Warranty and ProWood Micro CA Warranty for details.
Brush-on Preservatives for Field Cuts
According to American Wood-Preservers' Standard M4-06, lumber and timber which are used in above ground applications and are of sapwood species such as southern, red or ponderosa pine, generally do not require treatment to provide a good service life. This category includes the majority of the treated products Universal Forest Products provides. Other heartwood species, typically found in the Western U.S. should be field treated when cut or drilled. If you are concerned about wood exposed due to cutting or drilling, you can use a brush-applied preservative.
Home centers and lumberyards often carry brush-applied preservative systems based on two different active chemicals: either copper naphthenate or IPBC (3-iodo 2-propynyl butyl carbamate). These systems should be applied, in accordance with their labels, to any surface exposed by damage or field fabrication. Users should carefully read and follow the instructions and precautions listed on the preservative system label when using them.
Is it safe to use pressure treated lumber for animal enclosures such as a bird feeder or fish pond retaining wall? I have heard that leaching may be a problem.
Outdoor enclosures for animals are an appropriate use for ProWood Micro CA pressure treated lumber when you keep in mind a few factors. For ponds make sure to choose lumber that is treated to the proper retention of preservative in the wood. The lumber end tag should note the end use as “Ground Contact/Freshwater Use.” A small amount of leaching takes place, and copper that is used in many pressure treated lumber does have aquatic toxicity. Generally the levels of leaching will only be problematic in situations where there is a large amount of treated wood compared to the volume of water and where there is a low water flow. For more information, the USDA Forest Product Lab discusses treated wood and environmental impact.
After my project is built, is any special maintenance necessary?
Left unfinished, treated wood ages gracefully, eventually softening to an attractive driftwood gray. On flat surfaces such as decks, however, leaves and other debris may collect and create unsightly stains. Even if your lumber has the locked-in protection of factory-applied water repellent, you'll want to follow an annual maintenance program that includes a semitransparent stain or a sealant which contains an ultraviolet stabilizer. If you stain your project, a quality penetrating latex or oil base stain is recommended.
Does ProWood Micro CA qualify for continuing education learning credits?
Yes, through Osmose, ProWood Micro CA’s wood preservative supplier. The Osmose program is unique within the treated wood industry because it offers AIA professionals the opportunity to receive credits under the Sustainable Design (SD) CE requirement as well as GBCI CE requirements for all LEED Professionals.
The course is offered through AIA Education Provider, GreenCE, Inc. Credit for this course is 1 AIA/CES LU/HSW/SD Hour and 1 GBCI CE Hour for LEED Professionals. To review the course and take the online quiz for CE Credit, please visit: http://www.greence.com/cgi-bin/info.pl?action=course&id=93.
