In part three (Walls & Ceilings, October 2004) of the recently concluded seven-part series "Let's Get More Familiar," we discussed, in general, the recent ban on chromated copper arsenate as a preservative treatment for building lumber. We saw that the new breed of copper-based preservative treatments have shown themselves to be very corrosive to the metal building components they come in contact with and I discussed some techniques for alleviating the problem.
This month, we'll begin a series of articles that will take an in-depth look at preservative treatments for wood. We'll start with a discussion of the nature of wood and the ways it is naturally and artificially rendered insect, decay and fungus resistant.