If you need to use wooden poles on a building project, then it's worth buying treated timber. Treatments make wood last longer and give it protection against damage.
Before you buy poles, you need to choose the right treatment. For example, you can buy timber that has gone through a chromated copper arsenic (CCA) or creosote treatment. What are the differences between the two?
CAA Treatments: What to Know
If you buy poles with CCA protection, then your wood will have gone through a specialist pressure treatment to force the preservative deep inside the poles. This treatment improves the wood's weatherability and longevity. It also helps prevent problems with insect infestations and fungal growth.
You can use CCA-treated wood on indoor or outdoor builds. It doesn't have a strong smell so it doesn't affect indoor environmental conditions.
This wood is also a good option if you need to avoid ground contamination. It doesn't leach its treatment into the earth, so it won't affect local plant or crop growth.
However, the copper content in this treatment gives wood a greenish hue. While this might not be a problem if you are using CCA poles for a practical build such as fencing, you might not like this shade on more cosmetic projects. You can, however, stain the wood to change its colour if you wish.
CCA treatments have various classes that affect where and how you can use this timber. So, you should get advice on which class of treatment you need on your poles. If you choose the wrong option, then your poles might not last as long as you hoped.
Creosote Treatments: What to Know
Creosote-treated wood also typically goes through a pressure treatment; however, you can also apply a topical creosote solution to existing structures. This process uses a creosote-based preservative to extend the life of wood and protect it against weather, insect and fungus problems.
Creosote has some benefits over CCA. It is naturally water repellent so it often works more effectively in damp conditions. Creosote treatments also make wood more fire-resistant. It will take longer to catch fire and burn.
Plus, your poles will have a deep natural dark brown or black appearance after treatment. You might find these shades more cosmetically attractive.
However, creosote does have a strong smell. It's not generally a good indoor building solution as its smell spreads into the environment.
Plus, creosote treatments can leach into the ground. If you put your poles close to water sources, plants or crops, then the creosote might cause some contamination over time. It can affect crop growth and yields, for example.
For advice on which treated poles to use on your project, talk to a company like Poles Galore.