Above Ground: Borate-Treated Wood, Exceptional Value for Special Climates

Above ground use is defined as use of preservative treated products that do not come in direct contact with soil or fresh or salt water. They may, however, be exposed to weather or in direct contact with concrete, such as in sill plate applications. All of our structural timbers and dimension lumber, which are treated with our NatureWood preservative, are suited for above ground use.

There are cases where specific preservatives are approved for above ground use only application, where the end use is fully protected from the weather. Our new Borate treated products are intended for such use. Our Medford facility is now in full production of Borate treated Douglas fir lumber, intended for plate stock use. Borate treated plywood and lumber can also be used for interior framing lumber, and floor and roof sheathing. This is commonly the case in Hawaii where all framing members in an entire house must be preservative treated for protection against Formosan termites. Borate treated products offer a lower cost alternative to NatureWood treated products but are strictly for above ground weather protected end use.