Treat pressure-treated wood with soap

When talking about pressure-treated wood, we mean timber that has been treated in an industrial process where the preservative is thoroughly pressed into the material. The result is deep penetration and a high concentration of wood preservative in the timber, providing long-lasting protection. This is commonly referred to as: Pressure-treated decking, pressure-treated timber/wood, treated decking, treated timber, treated (in everyday speech), NTR timber (classification for treated wood, e.g. NTR-A or NTR-AB), green decking (referring to the characteristic color created by the treatment).

The most common type of durable wood on the market is pressure-treated timber. The treatment takes place in special facilities, and pine is used above all. However, only the sapwood can be fully saturated with wood preservative; the heartwood does not absorb the preservative in the same way and instead receives a more superficial treatment.

Spruce is also pressure-treated industrially, but pressure-treated pine is considered to be better protected by the treatment against rot fungi and other wood-destroying organisms.

In the Nordic countries, there is a shared system for dividing pressure-treated wood into different classes. The system was developed by the Nordic Wood Preservation Council (NTR) and is based on European standards for preservative-treated timber. The aim is to make it easier to choose the right type of treated wood based on how and where it will be used. The classification covers both industrially treated pine and spruce.

This treatment is powerful and highly effective, and it is absolutely crucial to how long your decking will last. Naturally, this is also affected by weather, wind, moisture, and location.

You can influence the surface by treating it, but its lifespan is determined by the pressure treatment and the external conditions. By using soap, you create a soft, pleasant, and smooth surface that is easy to clean. You also do not need to worry about the surface treatment containing toxins such as various biocides. Soaping wood is an old, proven, and natural method of treating wood.

Soap causes pressure-treated timber to change naturally. The characteristic green color does not disappear immediately after scrubbing with soap, but fades over time and produces a naturally gray surface.


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Questions and answers

1. What is pressure-treated wood?
Pressure-treated wood is timber treated industrially, with wood preservative pressed into the material to provide long-lasting protection against rot and wood-destroying organisms. It is often used for decking, patios, and other outdoor structures.

2. How long does pressure-treated decking last?
Its lifespan is primarily affected by the treatment itself and external conditions such as weather, wind, and moisture. Surface treatment can affect how the wood feels and looks, but it is the pressure treatment that provides the fundamental protection.

3. Why should pressure-treated decking be treated with soap?
Soap cleans the wood while helping to create a softer and more pleasant surface. It is a traditional and natural method that does not require the same type of surface treatments involving oils or other products.

4. Does the green color of pressure-treated wood disappear immediately when you scrub it with soap?
No, the green color does not disappear immediately. Over time, the color naturally fades and the wood takes on a beautiful gray tone. Scrubbing with soap helps keep the surface clean and well-maintained while the wood ages naturally.