It is treated with a chemical process to prevent the wood from decaying. Pre-stained oiled treated pine decking is not susceptible to moisture, decay, and insect attacks. Treated pine sleepers are easy to use. They do not need regular maintenance.
A good quality treated pine sleeper can last up to 15 to 20 years which is not a bad life span, however as soon as the15 to 20 years comes around and you have to replace that wall, then concrete sleepers instantly have become a more cost effective option.
H3 Treated Pine in Ground
This is the type of pine most often used for fence posts, landscaping timbers and pilings. Expect H3 treated pine to last around 30 years in the ground when installed with pressure-treated screws or stainless steel post brackets.
It is important to make sure that all of your timber is adequately sealed to keep it safe from termites and to keep moisture from coming in and attracting fungi and bacteria. Ecoseal is specifically formulated to work with timber that is already treated.
If water is allowed to sit against timber it will start to rot after a matter of a few years, even with pressure treated softwood or oak sleeper that have been treated before installation.
Treated softwood sleepers will last between 8 and 10 years and if treated with a UC4 (class 4) treatment, the longevity can be extended up to 15 years. The UC4 treatment also makes timber suitable to be in contact with the ground. Oak sleepers will often last for up to 20 years.
Unfortunately a perception has developed that treated timber does not need painting. While the preservative treatment will protect against decay and insect attack for decades, the timber is still prone to the effects of general weathering such as splitting, warping, fading and surface discoloration.
Untreated, pine is prone to splintering, rotting, and termites.
CCA treated pine should also never be burned and it should never come into contact with drinking water. Newer pine treatments – such as ACQ treated pine is a great alternative which undergoes a water-based wood-preservation process that is arsenic-free. This makes it perfect to use for home vegetable gardens.
The chemicals used to treat pine timber, especially those in products treated with CCA (Chromated Copper Arsenate), have been known to be harmful to the environment. These chemicals can leach into the soil over time, potentially affecting plants and soil health.
H3-treated pine is designed for outdoor use, exposed to the weather but not in direct contact with the ground. It's treated to resist decay and insect attack in above-ground applications. Using H3-treated pine for ground contact, such as fence posts or retaining walls, can lead to premature deterioration.
A pressure treated fence post can generally last 10 to 25 years.
Pine Sleepers can be used for ponds because they are moisture-resistant and not susceptible to decay or rotting. Provided the pond is appropriately tanked and sealed from within, treated timber sleepers create a visually appealing water feature that will blend in with the surrounding elements of the garden.
A penetrating oil like CUTEK® protects wood from the inside out. It works by penetrating deeply into the timber to repel moisture. It also helps to stabilise wood, preventing cupping, splitting and warping.
Generally speaking, a) hardwood railway sleepers last longer than softwood ones, b) tropical hardwood railway sleepers (Azobe & Jarrah) last longer than oak hardwood ones, (of which used creosote treated oak lasts longer than untreated new oak), c) new and top grade railway sleepers last longer than lower grade ones.
Your treated pine decking must be sealed before or immediately after the timber is installed. It is advisable to use a quality primer and paint in light colours.
How long does pine last untreated? It is possible to use untreated pine in your construction projects, but this will impact how long it lasts, especially if you use it outside. Generally speaking, untreated pine that is exposed to the elements will last roughly 5 to 10 years.
However, if you want to maximize the natural look and warmth of the wood, you can skip the stain and apply a clear or lightly tinted sealer to add waterproofing and, depending on the sealer, UV protection to help prevent fading. As with stain, the treated boards will need to be clean and dry before you seal them.
Natural oils such as linseed oil can be used as a protective treatment for sleepers. These oils penetrate deep into the wood, offering protection against moisture and decay.
Tanalised® Ecoseal is a copper-based resealing solution for the cut ends of treated wood products. It is suitable for treated timber up to H5 in general outdoor applications that are in-ground or in contact with fresh water.
If you want a more natural look and don't mind reapplying the product every few years, then fence stain is the way to go. On the other hand, if you want a long-lasting finish with better UV protection, then fence paint is a better option.
If you're placing your sleepers onto a hard surface, such as concrete or patio, they can just go straight on top, but if they're going onto the lawn or soil, you'll need to dig a shallow trench for the first sleeper to sit in.
Is Treated Wood Safe From Termites? Yes, through proper treatment, lumber such as pine becomes fortified against termite infestations. Treatment methods enhance wood durability and resilience to insects, ensuring long-lasting protection. Consider treated lumber for termite-resistant construction and preservation needs.
Softwood that is left untreated will still last around two to five years, which is why all of our softwood sleepers have been treated for longevity. We also supply hardwood sleepers, with oak sleepers ranging from 15 to 20 years and European oak sleepers lasting for 20 years.