Advantages of Using Treated Pine in House Construction
Among the several types of wood used in construction, pine stands out as from the rest due to its versatility. It is a widely available softwood with many subtypes. Pine is a popular construction material used by contractors, with a preference for treated pine, rather than the natural, unenhanced product. To treat pine, the raw timber is first dried satisfactorily and is then soaked in a chemical bath constituting antifungal and pesticide agents. Besides availability, pine is light, has an even grain profile and retains its shape and form admirably. Treated pine exhibits sustained resistance to weathering, rotting, pest infestation and harm by other biological menaces such as wood beetles. In utilizing the above qualities of treated pine, contractors will use this product for various purposes.
Cladding Due to its affordability, resistance to wear and good heat insulation properties, treated pine is a preferred cladding material where the local weather conditions entail large deviations from room temperature. For this purpose, treated pine boards are attached evenly to the insides of a wall, directly over the insulating material. Treated pine is also preferred for cladding for the additional ease of decorating it with either carving or painting. Even when not coated with an opaque paint, a knotted grain profile of treated pine adds beauty to room interiors.
Trusses In house construction, ceilings account for over half of all timber products used. Treated pine is thus preferred for its wide availability. Ceiling timber needs to maintain its shape, as shrinkage and warping will result in a misshapen roof profile, with a most undesirable effect on aesthetics. When contractors use treated pine, such an eventuality is avoided because treated pine resists natural warping and shrinkage. As a bonus feature, wood borers notorious for riddling and weakening trusses and rafters are repelled.
Scaffold boards Treated pine satisfies the test of strength due its grain profile that allows it to bend minimally under the weight of builders and material without breaking. Treated pine is also lightweight and lasts a surprisingly long time in the outdoor weather-exposed environment peculiar to scaffolds. Treated pine resists grain separation due to rainfall and sunshine. Mold and pests are known to damage scaffold boards.
Ceilings Treated pine keeps out external noises while containing internal sounds. Additionally, treated pine is lightweight and so does not strain the attachment method, a feature that also makes it less prone to sagging at the middle of the ceiling. Treated pine has good thermal resistance, while overheating by overhead sunshine is minimised.
Besides the above uses, treated pine finds other uses, such as cement racks, where tensile strength and durability are required