Why is pressure-treated wood an ideal replacement for concrete, plastics, steel, and aluminum in many uses?
A. Steel, concrete, and aluminum could be substituted for some uses, but this will result in much higher costs in applications where treated wood is now used, higher energy requirements in the process of creating substitute material, greater air and water pollution and/or environmental protection costs, and higher dependency on foreign sources for imported materials. Substitute materials may not be appropriate for some uses-some types of steel may corrode, concrete may deteriorate in salt water, and plastic may not have the strength, durability, and structural integrity. Since wood is a renewable resource, modern forest managers can ensure a continuous and plentiful supply. There is an added benefit. Wood preservation for commercial and industrial application extends the nation’s forest resources by reducing costly and unnecessary replacement. And finally, it is easy to make on-site modification to wood structures.
