Builders speak out on treated wood

A NEW study from Louisiana State .Il.Universitv reveals that 43Vo of home builders were not aware of the EPA's announcement that CCA treated wood will be phased out for residential applications by Dec.3l.

The study queried l16 home builders on their perceptions of pressure treated wood.

Sixty-one percent of builders feelthat treated wood is safe for people in outdoor applications.

Their greatest concern was the perceived health risk, followed by concem over long-term exposure to treated wood.

Asked how they'd developed their opinions on treated wood, builders ranked "other" first, followed by friends, trade magazines and other builders.

Other builder responses about treated wood:

. 66Vo said they understood the concept of wood treating,

. 22Vo believe that using treated wood can reduce deforestation,

. 39Vo trust safety claims made by treated wood manufacturers,

. 5l%o would recommend their clients pay a premium for treated wood over non-treated alternatives, and

When it comes to building materials in general, the study found that cost is the most important factor for respondents when building a new home. Various other economic factors, energy efficiency and resale value were ranked in descending order. In the South, resistance to termites was the highest ranked factor.

Concrete was singled out as the best building material for weather resistance and durability, followed by steel, then wood species such as cedar and redwood. Treated wood was ranked fourth in the I l- to 25-year durability category.

Nearly two-thirds of builders believe that treated wood will last 1l to 25 years in exposed conditions; 'l5%o also indicated that species is a concern in new home construction.

When it comes to treated wood, only 5Vo of respondents had a negative perception of the product, with 387o having a somewhat positive perception and nearly a third a very positive perception.

More than half (53Vo) of builders said they had concerns about using treated wood in the homes thev build.

. 3OVo believe that their clients would pay more than a 57o premium for treated wood products over the non-treated alternative.

When it comes to information on the safety of treated wood, builders cited the National Association of

Home Builders as their most trusted source.

More that half of those surveyed (6\7o) feel that treated wood is safe for people in outdoor applications and 427o percent believe it is safe for outdoor children's play equipment.

Nearly a third of builders think that some types of treated wood are safer than others; 53Vo are unsure.

Treated wood brand recognition among builders was low. Many of the "brands" listed were not brands at all.

When asked about particular wood treating chemicals, 60Vo of builders said that arsenic posed a significant risk to human health. The perception of health risk dropped sharply for the remaining chemicals.

Nearly half (49Vo) of builders did not know what effect the switch to "new generation" preservatives would have for them and their clients.

When it comes to insect protection, treated wood was well regarded by builders, with just over three-quarters believing it protects against such foes as Formosan termites.