(ARA) - Are you planning to build something outdoors? Consider the new types of preserved wood.

For decades, pressure-treated wood has been used around the world for projects like decks, fences, walkways, benches, retaining walls and docks. This green-colored lumber has a natural appearance yet, unlike ordinary wood, it is designed to withstand damage from termites and rot because it is protected by preservatives.

On top of that, treated wood is widely available, economical and can be installed by virtually anyone who can properly handle a saw, drill and hammer.

Until recently, one type of treated lumber has totally dominated the market for residential preserved wood. It incorporates a preservative called CCA, chromated copper arsenate. The wood treated with this preservative is sold under various trademarks, commonly known nationally as Wolmanized wood. I’ve used Wolmanized wood many times on my show to build a variety of projects.

Recently, however, a “new generation” of wood preservatives has emerged. These newer preservatives are also designed to extend the life of wood, but they contain natural and organic ingredients and are considered to be more advanced.

The wood treated with these preservatives looks and handles much like the traditional product, so you’ll have to read the tags on the lumber or ask your contractor or lumber dealer to make sure you are purchasing one of the newer products. You can also look for the term “copper azole” or the name Wolmanized Natural Select wood on the tag. This distinguishes the lumber from the traditional type.

You can feel good when you choose preserved lumber. Not only are you using a material that resists termites and rot, enabling your outdoor project to last longer, but you are taking advantage of wood, a plentiful, renewable resource; you are reducing demands on forest resources because of the extended life of your wood; and you are selecting a product that requires less energy to manufacture than alternative building materials for your project.

For more information, visit www.naturalselect.com.

Courtesy of ARA Content