FAQ
Find answers to commonly asked questions
Refer to our FAQs to learn more about commonly asked questions regarding ProWood, pressure-treated lumber, and more.
Look for a lumber end tag. Each piece of ProWood lumber has a tag containing information regarding the preservative used, the appropriate end use (i.e. above-ground or ground contact), the quality standard and safe handling instructions.
The GREENGUARD Gold Certification is awarded to products that are intended for use in schools, daycares or other locations where children spend large amounts of time.
The Home Innovation Research Lab authorizes accredited verifiers to award points toward project certification under ICC-700 National Green Building Standard. ProWood uses wood preservative technology from Koppers.
Yes. Treated timbers used to construct raised vegetable gardens and flowerbeds are popular and practical.
Picnic tables are primarily used for serving pre-prepared food, while a kitchen countertop is used primarily for preparing food and often as a cutting surface for raw food.
The process used to treat ProWood is the first to gain Environmentally Preferable Product (EPP) status as certified by Scientific Certification Systems (SCS).
You should always consult your local building codes before application. When working with ProWood pressure-treated decking, locate the double-box symbol on the end tag indicating compliance.
Yes, ProWood may be used indoors for any application except cutting boards and countertops.
Although ProWood provides a surface that is easier for paints to cover, we do not recommend painting it. ProWood does not need protection from the elements.
Similar to pressure-treated deck boards, some shrinking will occur as the pickets dry. Butting pickets together during installation will minimize the gap left between the pickets when they dry.
No. Landscape timbers are not recommended for use as a structural post because they are not treated for ground contact and do not carry a lifetime limited warranty.
Micronized copper preservatives help protect ProWood against termite damage and fungal decay. This preservative system features an innovative technique in which 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.
Your climate will affect when and how often wood sealer needs to be applied. To maximize surface protection and to keep your deck looking good, apply a quality wood sealant that contains an ultraviolet stabilizer.
ProWood treated wood is very safe when used as directed in the appropriate applications. The preservative injected reacts with the wood to form an insoluble complex that won't evaporate or vaporize. ProWood is clean, odorless, non-staining, and safe to work with and handle.
According to AWPA's Standard M4-06, lumber and timber that are used in above-ground applications and are of sapwood species generally do not require treatment to provide a good service life. If concerned about wood exposed after cutting or drilling, you can use a brush-applied preservative.
No. Most commonly this is heartwood, which is naturally decay resistant. You do not need to be concerned. With the exception of some western species, these end cuts do not require any special treatment.
Lumber's greatest enemy is biological attack — destruction by termites, fungi and marine borers — as well as damage from rain, sun and wind. Thanks to over 50 years of research, ProWood® can stand up to every threat for decades of use.