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Re: GBlist: Dangers of CCA Pressure Treated Wood



I agree with you concerning avoiding situations where wood comes in contact
with the ground.

There are some good reasons for decks though! For example, the mud where
I'm living now (and also on the land I bought) is enough to keep you
inside, except we have a deck.

I also like decks because here in Colorado (and in most other parts of the
USA) you can use the outdoors as part of your home for much of the year.
I'd rather have a deck with a gas grill and some chairs, then a bigger
house and no deck. The deck provides great space for parties and just
sitting around.

What I am looking at is this plastic wood (i.e. made from post-consumer
plastic and wood chips). It can be cut and screwed like wood, but doesn't
need any finishing and is of course completely water-proof and termite
resistant. Looks pretty much just like wood from about 6 feet away. Last I
heard it costs $1.30 a linear foot for a 2x4. This is about ten cents per
foot cheaper than redwood and realistically it will last longer.

Any comments? Anyone out there using this?

I have two concerns:

1 - What happens when it burns? Toxic fumes?

2 - There's probably no way to ever get rid of the stuff.

----------
> From: John Salmen <terrain@seaside.net>
> I guess my basic opinion on the whole question of wood preservatives is
> one of avoidance in other words that the only wood that should be near
> the ground or in a moist situation should have its roots intact. I can't
> think of any building application that should require the use of
> pressure treated wood to maintain integrity - there is always a design
> alternative and that alternative shouldn't consist of finding an
> environmentally appropriate way of making wood decay resistant. 
> 
> I'm not a fan of uncovered decks (I always thought them expressive of
> some fear of being close to the ground) but a wooden deck properly built
> using heartwood planks oriented properly and UNFINISHED should outlast
> its purpose.
> 
> John
> 
> TBren46501@aol.com wrote:
> > 
> > In a message dated 6/9/97 3:55:34 PM, crkoehn@mailbag.com (Chris &
> > Ruth
> > Koehn) wrote:
> > 
> > <<We've been considering using some of the  native and naturally rot
> > resistant wood species in place of cca treated wood.  My forestry
> > connections suggest that walnut, certain species of locust, red cedar,
> > and katalpa are all very rot resistent- in some circumstances as much
> > so
> > as cca treated wood (my father in law used locust for fence posts on
> > his
> > farm, which have been in ground contact for 50 years and still look
> > good). In many instances logs can be had for the trouble of removal
> > here
> > in Wisconsin. Most of these trees are extremely invasive, and
> > considered
> > "weeds" by farmers and woodlot owners.
> > 
> > Any experiences with these materials? I know it's a hassle cutting and
> > sawing and drying.
> > 
> > How about using this ACQ preserve stuff? Anybody tried it?
> > 
> > Chris Koehn
> > Top Ridge Homes>>
> > 
> > Hi Chris,
> > 
> > Yep.  My experience with white locust, arborvitae, red cedar, redwood
> > and
> > cypress is that they are extremely well protected from fungal
> > breakdown and
> > insect infestation.  I'd like to see programs that grow, transport,
> > machine,
> > transport and eventually dispose of them managed in ways that minimize
> > impact.  Here's my "yesbuts".  None of these trees are weeds. I don't
> > know if
> > any of them are being managed as a renewable resource.  I'd like to
> > hear from
> > the eco-foresters on that one.  Last I knew, cypress was a species at
> > risk
> > (too bad cause it lasts the best).  Working these woods without
> > respiratory
> > protection will expose you to the natural toxins present in every one
> > of
> > them.  My old partner and I ended up at the emergency room with toxic
> > shock
> > after three days of working with black walnut.  Lastly, locust is damn
> > bear
> > to saw, plane or sand - a tool eater.  - Terry
> > __________________________________________________________________
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> > __________________________________________________________________
> __________________________________________________________________
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