3-Minute Guide to using Treated Pine Timber

3-Minute Guide to using Treated Pine Timber

Structural Pine timber is not naturally durable and in service can be subject to attack from natural enemies such as fungi, insects, and weathering. Where additional protection is required, you can increase timber’s durability with preservative chemicals, this product is commonly known as Treated Pine Timber.

Treatment of Pine Timber

Preservative treatment makes the timber a more viable option for building, construction, and engineering applications. Treated Pine is timber that has been permeated with a chemical solution, giving it a long-term resistance to decay, insects, and other deteriorating factors.

This effective and lasting protection enables timber to be used in many applications including pergolas, decks, cladding, retaining walls, posts, and poles.

The service life of treated pine timber is dependent upon the level of treatment given, the degree of exposure, and the conditions of use. Pine Timber treated to H3 will last a lot longer in a dry climate than a constantly humid one.

There are several treatment processes and treatment levels containing fungicide and insecticide.

The two types of preservatives most commonly in use in Australia today include:

  • Water-borne preservatives such as CCA, ACQ and CuAz which permeate the wood mixed in with water
  • Light organic solvent-borne preservatives (LOSPs) which are imparted to the wood mixed in a light organic solvent such as white spirit

There are six main levels of treatment and a few sub-levels, you can learn more about timber treatment levels here.

Is Treated Pine Timber safe?

Often it is the CCA treated pine timber that is questioned due to its use of copper, chromium, and particularly arsenic, which is a known poisonous substance. The ingredients serve the following purposes:

  • Copper prevents fungi growth
  • Arsenic repels termites and pests
  • Chromium acts to bind the chemicals to the timber

The combination of ingredients is dictated by Australian standards and is tightly regulated to ensure the safety of the product. There is little evidence that treated pine timber leeches arsenic into soils around posts or edging.

Actual concerns lay when CCA treated pine is used where children may have hand to mouth contact with the timber such as children’s play equipment, outside seating, decking, garden furniture, picnic tables and handrails.

Use of CCA treated timber in these applications as a precaution was banned by agreement between the timber industry and the APVMA in July 2012 Readily available alternative options for these applications include LOSP treatments, ACQ treatments and CuAz treatments.

Another concern is when woodworkers cut it. It’s important to use the same precautions for handling treated timber as untreated timber, sensible, healthy practices like dust masks and eye protection and hygiene should apply. Learn more about CCA and LOSP Treated Pine on our Treated Pine page.

Treated Pine Timber Finishes

When exposed to the weather, all timber soon changes in appearance unless it has been given some form of protective finish. Exterior timber finishes suitable for pine include paints and exterior wood stains.

Exterior paints are split into oil and water based with both types effective on treated pine with the added advantage of water based being their short re-coating time. The visual life of treated pine is dependent on the level of maintenance conducted by and the expectations of the owner.

Treated Pine Suppliers

Austim carries a broad range of H3 treated pine suitable for outside above ground use, as well as some H4 postssuitable for external in-ground applications.

These products are suitable for most general internal and external construction applications, such as:

  • Pergolas
  • Timber decking sub frames
  • Gates and fences

Consult Austim for the type of treated timber you want and for advice on working and finishing to achieve maximum service life.

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What our clients say

Austim are a great partner and timber supplier. Our business is based on the East Coast of Australia and we partner with Austim for WA projects. We have had a long lasting and great working relationship with Austim for many years. Highly recommend them.
daniel wright
daniel wright
06:31 18 Jun 19
Austim is always the first place I try when I need timber and it’s rare that I can’t get what I need there. Stuart is a rare gem of a gent to deal with – quick to respond to any queries, full of good advice and goes out of his way to help get whatever project I’m working on happening to my schedule, even when all I need is a few sticks and a handful of fixings. Highly recommend Austim, the team and young Stuart.
Anni Lilford
Anni Lilford
00:51 16 Nov 18
Stuart went out of his way to make sure we got the product we wanted. He made suggestions on possible constructions and timbers suitable. Very knowledgeable friendly staff all around. Excellent experience, highly recommended.
Holger Butenschon
Holger Butenschon
05:14 22 May 18
Hi Ben,Just wanted to thankyou for your help and advice in our selection of the Millboard Vintage Oak decking also in you recommending Grant from Premier Hardwood Decking. Grant has just completed our decking and we couldn't have asked for a more professional, reliable and competent tradesman. The decking has been installed to a very high standard and the decking itself is stunning. Ian and Sue
susan smith
susan smith
06:27 08 Oct 18
I've used Austim on a few occasions for home projects like decking and pergola, etc and each time the response to my requests for price and delivery have been excellent, the deliveries took place as negotiated, the timber quality was great and value for money. The team at Austim do a great job and make dealing with Austim a breeze.
Michael Robinson
Michael Robinson
09:06 25 Oct 18
I have worked with Austim for around 8 years now and they are one of the best suppliers in perth to deal with. I would highly recommend to use them for any timber needs!!!
Art of Timber
Art of Timber
07:55 05 Mar 20
I had been looking for some cedar for my kayak project and had rung a couple of other places with no luck. When I contacted Austim they were very helpful, had the timber in stock and I was on my was in 20 minutes. The wood was very good quality and has really finished up beautifully. Thanks to Austim.
mark alderson
mark alderson
02:03 08 Apr 17
I"d like to thank Austim for there help in supplying me with material that firstly I thought I'd have trouble sourcing as it was marring up with originally 30 year old existing timber.My project was not a massive project but still needed the attention of an new build.The timber supplied by Austim was machined to size with absolute perfection, where I had to remove old pieces and replace with the new pieces they fitted perfectly.once the floors are re-sanded and varnished they will be back to there former glory. Thanks again to the staff at Austim.Regards Bob Heppenstall.I've just added a finished photo after the Floor Sanding was completed.Original timber was Tassie Oak, and the new is Vic Ash, as you can see there is only a slight variation in the final product.I hope this gives anyone thinking doing the same the confidence to proceed. Regards Bob Heppenstall.
Robert Heppenstall
Robert Heppenstall
10:05 12 Oct 18
Great service over phone and by email. Product supplied is high quality - no issues. Staff accommodating and friendly.
M F
M F
00:18 07 May 20
Good service with fair prices.
Colin Della Bosca
Colin Della Bosca
08:14 04 Jun 20
Great service and product.I struggled to find a bench top in the size and material I wanted, so was really happy when I found one with Austim.It came fully protected with wrap and was undamaged when I got it home.Thanks
Matt Harrison
Matt Harrison
06:29 08 May 23
Good selection, friendly staff, competitive pricing. Preferred over the 'hardware store'.You can hand pick if you need superior quality, Ben Price helped me with sorting through
Dirk Wachter
Dirk Wachter
03:59 12 May 23
Quick responses, timber prepared to request including cutting to Size. Easy pick up. Highly recommend.
Martyn Lethbridge
Martyn Lethbridge
06:42 05 May 23
We wanted Marri boards to make a bed - Austim provided beautiful planed and sized boards - at a good price - delivered on time......excellent service!
Mark Warren
Mark Warren
06:53 20 Aug 21
Ordered some merbau timber through austim to replace some rotten pine stair treads. The guy on the phone was very helpful .the timber was straight and had no faults or damage. Sent a message with a picture to say the timber had been delivered. Would definitely order timber from them again
Galaxie Galaxie
Galaxie Galaxie
05:25 29 Nov 23
Ron has help me out tremendously with designing and supplying two decks. Everything required to build them including screws Concreate, stirrups and timber. Service is excellent and at competitive prices.
Craig Bussanich
Craig Bussanich
01:25 06 Oct 23
Excellent service! The gentlemen that served us was so helpful and sorted out our kitchen bench top in 15 minutes! Great product!
sophie sherlock
sophie sherlock
07:24 06 Oct 23

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