We’d always like to get the best treatment, wouldn’t we?
Which is why at Metcalfe Fencing Supplies we’re keen to offer the very best treatment options for our customers to cater for their every need. From UC4 treated timber (that comes with a 15 year guarantee), to Tanalith-e (green pressure treated) timber and notch above creosote impregnated products. Depending what your spec is – we have the stock to suit your needs.
Have a look at the main treatment options below. Find out what treated timber types are best for your project.
Let’s take a look at the treatment options we have in store for you:
UC4 TREATED
UC4 treated timber is processed to a spec that lasts, which is why it’s so bold with its 15 year guarantee statement.
It’s designed to Use Class 4 according to BS8417. Which basically means it’s particularly resilient to water and rot.
It can withstand ground conditions and high levels of moisture. If you’re building fences or temporary structures with longevity in mind.
UC4 treated — 15 year guaranteed — fence posts would be the way to start!
TANALITH-E
Like UC4 posts, Tanalith E tanalised posts are treated in a similar vein; under high pressure conditions. The biocides used are anti-fungal and stem insect attack. Timbers tend to have a green tint after going through the tanalisation process.
Tanalith E treated materials can have varied parameters in that not all Tanalith E treated products are treated the same way and vary between different Use Classes. It’s always best to ask us whether you have the
most suitable product for your application.
CREOSOTE
If you’re looking for something with a bit more ooomph and staying power – something manufactured to a desired service life of 40 years – then creosote would be your treatment of choice.
All Use Class 4 approved for ground conditions, the creosote products we supply are some of the nations best.
Authorised for sale, supply and use in the UK under the EU Biocidal Products Regulation (BPR). A word of warning – due to the regulations and nature of creosote posts we can only sell these to certain customers depending on its end use.
After testing many suppliers with varying degrees of standard, we are proud to partner with market leaders Scanpole as stockists and be offered exclusivity rights to distribute their full range of Creosote products as chief suppliers in the North Yorkshire region.
We now have a wealth of 100% Coal Tar Creosote products, treated to the highest standards, authorised for sale, supply and use in the UK under the EU Biocidal Products Regulation (BPR).
Please note: Due to the regulations and nature of creosote treated timber products we can only sell these to certain customers depending on its end use. Being able to bring these products to market helps us truly set a new standard for the agricultural, equestrian and utility sectors near us.
Leading Benchmarks for Creosote Treatment
Our Scanpole creosote timber stock is fully registered and traceable through PEFC certifications and comprises largely of slow grown Scots Pine (Redwood) sourced from sustainable Norwegian forests.
Pressure treated under 12 bar of pressure for up to 8 hours and with 100% sap wood penetration as standard. Tried and tested -Easily 120kg of creosote is used per m3 of wood.
Treated and processed with the same exact standards of those used by BT Telecoms.
Proven PREMIUM QUALITY: For a wide range of agricultural, utility and equestrian applications. Under BPR, creosote treated products are permitted to be used in the scope of Highways Fencing, Equestrian Fencing, Animal Security Fencing Products include BS 8417 Use Class 3: Fence Panels / Horizontals. For more information on permitted end usage please refer to the following :
The timber is kiln-dried until moisture levels reach 28% or below.
The drying process is slow to avoid any unwanted side effects like warping or splintering. Next it gets hauled into a cylinder, and put under a vacuum. This extracts even more excess moisture.
Now the wood is dry it’s in a good state to allows for much fuller penetration levels, so when the preservative fills the vessel it slurps it all up with a larger absorption rate. Full impregnation occurs after extra hydraulic force is applied to the materials inside the chamber.
The products goes through another vacuum process to extract any chemicals that aren’t absorbing before another 48 hr drying process. The biocides used in the preservative offer protection against insect attack, fungal decay and form a barrier that helps prevent any rotting caused by water.
We have all the the all the treated stock to suit your needs. Which is why you have to know what timber treated wood is best for your project. Some people might be under the illusion that ‘wood is wood’, right? Well…not exactly. Timber’s a funny old thing you see.
Every piece is processed a certain way and this all depends on its intended usage design.
In the same way that you’d never put a wet sock in a toaster, or enrich a cake in milk before serving, The intended usage of timber can be seen in much the same light – you’d never want to expose a Use Class 2 treated timber to ground conditions. The results would be less than desirable. It’s always reassuring to know that what you’re getting is the best option for the job. We’re always happy to offer friendly advice if needed so you can get the best materials that your money can buy for your project requirements.
A quick tour through our store and you’ll begin to notice a premium grade of timber that is fully CE stamped, FSC & PECF certified, traceable and sought from sustainable solutions.
We have timber products treated with various methods including UC4 (incised), Tanalith E & Creosote
Why are there so many treatment options?
Back in the old days people would use hardwood like oak, (like these lovely sleepers we have on sale here) and things would generally last a good age. Obviously – demand – with hardwoods there’s a price to pay. The environments wallet got hurt more so than the consumer.
Hence more sustainable solutions were sought through softwood plantations due to their fast regenerating nature.
The brisk adoption of Spruce & sustainable Scots Pine forests thrust market leaders into innovating new ways to make this timber product stand the test of time in the built up environment. How the wood should be used afterwards depends on the treatment method. The processing costs associated with each treatment method vary radically. The usage ability of the final product is determined as to whether it meets a certain British Standard ‘Use Class’ according to BS.
So knowing this, it’s important we appreciate what we’re looking at when you’re buying timber materials and fencing products.
Treatments and vetting process within the trade are vigorous. When everything’s built to a design, you can see why and be pleased in the knowledge that all our timber products are manufactured to a Declaration of Performance (DoP) by trusted partners closest to us in our supply chain who carry the accredited WPA Benchmark.
Use Classes
As mentioned previously, all treated timber materials are processed to meet a ‘Use Class’ criteria as outlined in BS 8417.
Here’s a typical breakdown of what this looks like and illustrates how certain ‘Use Class’ timber should be used.
| Use Class | Application | Example Usage |
|---|---|---|
| Class 1 | To be used in dry internal conditions only. | Eg. Upper floor joists, purlins, stud wall frame work. |
| Class 2 | Designed to prevent insect attack from Longhorn Beetle (Hylotrupes bajulus L) and appropriate to use in applications above ground where there may be an occasional risk of moisture soakage. | Eg. Tiling battens, ground floor joists, external wall framing timbers and any wood material that is going to be used internally within the building scope. |
| Class 3(u) | For timbers specified to used outside above ground and moderately exposed to rainwater, dew and air moisture. | Typical examples of Class 3 treated timber might include: Outside deck boards, fence rails, boards, soffits, cladding and fascias. |
| Class 4 | UC4 timber is treated to withstand permanent levels of moisture and withstand conditions in ground. |