Ultimate Cheat Sheet: The Wood Preservation Process

It’s easy to enjoy the beauty of wooden structures.

Whether it’s a log cabin or an ornate garden gazebo, the wood they’re made out of has to be treated to prevent the damage caused by insects and the weather.

Without treatment, it won’t stay beautiful – or intact – for very long.

Preservation is key and that happens with an autoclave for wood treatment.

Here’s what you need to know about the process.

How the wood preservation process works

Using an autoclave, also known in the industry as a treating cylinder or retort, is the primary piece of equipment used in the preservation process.

Phase #1

The wood product is placed into the autoclave. A vacuum is then pulled to remove water that is currently trapped in the wood’s cells.

Phase #2

After the water is removed from the wood, the wood preservative is pumped into the autoclave. The vacuum is then released, and air pressure is then applied in the autoclave. This pressure pushes the wood preservative into the wood cells.

Phase #3

After a period of time, the air pressure is released, and the wood preservative is emptied from the autoclave.

Phase #4

The wood product is removed from the autoclave and is ready to be shipped to your customer for use.

Useful tips for using treated wood

By using preserved wood in your project, you can be confident that you’re helping the environment – and it has many other benefits, too, when compared to alternative building construction materials.

Pressure-treated lumber is a unique product, and certain procedures should be followed when using it in projects.

Also, keep in mind that newly treated-wood products should be allowed to dry before you apply any paints or stains on it.

Pressure-treated wood for the win

Now that you have an understanding of the three-step process involved in treating wood in an autoclave, you can be confident that your finished product is safe – for people AND the Earth.

We hope that understanding the process involved in preserving your pressure-treated wood and these tips will help you with your next building project.

For additional ideas for wood related projects, please visit our one of our clients’ sites.

Have questions about an autoclave for wood treatment?

Give Tank Fab a call. Our experts are ready to provide you with all the equipment you need to handle your wood preservation needs.

Author: Jeffrey Lippincott

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