Looking for answers to treated wood questions?

inquiries gave rise to an idea: why not create a university for treated wood, a collection of user-friendly videos and other tools addressing common questions and quandaries? This is how Wolmanized Wood University was conceived, and now the idea is a reality at WolmanizedWoodU.com.

The site features videos, articles and literature from various sources, focusing on how treated wood is made and its intended uses. Additional content covers how to identify properly treated wood, how to build decks, fences and other outdoor projects properly, how to revitalize pressure treated wood decks, and how to identify potential problems in aging decks.

The website is designed to help deck contractors, lumberyard employees, and consumers make informed choices, have realistic expectations, and realize maximum benefit from Wolmanized wood products.

ftunsrtov: A noutowuEn asks if her contractor can \lUuita a pressure teated wood fence with boards ,rdching all the way to the ground so her beloved Yorkshire terrier can't squeeze out underneath.

Q: A contractor wants to know if he can use wood treat' ed for above ground applications for a deck being built close to the ground.

Q: A homeowner waters potted plants on her treated wood deck in the same place all the time, and wonders why the wood underneath is deteriorating.

Q: A deck contractor asks if he has to coat end cuts with a topical preservative.

Q: A customer wants to know if she can paint her new treated wood deck as soon as it's constructed.

Answer: Go to Wolmanized Wood University. The customer service group at Arch Wood Protection answers questions like the ones posed above on a daily basis, but customers don't always ask about proper product use before they act. In fact, these typical consumer

The Know Your Wood video is the cornerstone of the program, addressing the most common reason why people have issues with treated wood: that is, they use a product in a way for which it was not intended. Specifically, they use lumber (or fence boards) treated for above-ground applications in contact with the ground, debris or vegetation-or where it will be continuously wetted.

The product label (also known as an end tag) affixed to the end of lumber when sold clearly states how the wood should be used, but many consumers do not realize the significance of the label-nor that labels validating treated wood purchases are required by most manufacturers for warranty coverage.

That's why one of the tools in WolmanizedWoodU.com is a deck owner's manual. The manual contains product use and maintenance information and contains a page where homeowners can retain end tags in the event a problem arises with the wood. Contractors can customize the cover with their contact information and then provide the manual to customers when a project is complete. (The makers of Wolmanized wood also offer online warranty registration allowing deck owners to submit end tags and other purchase details electronically.)

So what about the questions posed at the beginning of the article? Where can consumers find the answers? Check out the "Tips to Properly Install Treated Wood" sheet found in the resources section of WolmanizedWoodU.com. This single sheet addresses all of the questions posed at the beginning of this article

All treated wood is not alike. So what if a homeowner wants to know what type of treated wood will be best for his project? WolmanizedWoodU.com has an article for that. "How to Choose Treated Lumber" explains that there's a time to select high-grade, well-protected outdoor lumber and a time to choose more economical pieces. The article covers preservatives, lumber grades, and other options for achieving the desired appearance and durability.

What if contractors would like to broaden their income streams by offering deck restoration services? Or, d-i-yers want to know how to revitalize the appearance of weathered wood decks? Two videos on the website show how to clean and stain pressure-treated wood decks to achieve the best results

More than 40 million decks in the U.S. are at least 20 years old and need to be maintained and inspected for problems. So, how can homeowners identify potential problems? Thanks to the North American Deck & Railing Association, the university has a video-and evaluation forms-for that. The site contains NADRA's deck safety video and a checklist instructing homeowners how to check aging decks, as well as a more detailed evaluation form that contractors can refer to when providing deck inspection services. Plus, the site links to NADRA's Master Deck Professional Certification Program, a series of online courses and exams accessible to both members and non-members. The series is free, though there is a fee for processing the exams needed to earn official MDP certification.

Whether the visitor is a deck owner, contractor or lumber dealer, WolmanizedWoodU.com offers useful information that will lead to better experiences with treated wood.

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Roseburg RigidLamo Key Advantages

Stronger, stiffer, more consistent

Dimensionally stable

APA quality assured

FSCo certified LVL available

Longer spans than conventional lumber

Greater load carrying capacity than conventional lumber

.Wide width (up to 7")

Product & Performance Warranty

Engineered Wood Products

By Bethany West, Business Manager, Director, North American Wholesale Capital Lumber, and Lumber Association