The NatureWood® wood preservative is a waterborne, alkaline copper quaternary preservative system developed to provide long-term protection of wood exposed in exterior applications. The NatureWood® system is based on the well-established effectiveness of copper combined with an organic quaternary compound and is applied to wood by pressure treatment.

NatureWood® products, as described in ICC-ES ESR-1980, meet all major model building code requirements. Installation must comply with the requirements of all applicable local, state, and national code jurisdictions.

NatureWood® treated wood products are available for: Above ground, ground contact and fresh water contact. NatureWood® products are not currently approved for saltwater immersion applications.

Retention levels refer to the amount of preservative retained in the wood following the treatment process.  Retention levels can be different based on the wood preservative system used to pressure treat the wood product and its intended end use (ground contact, above ground contact, etc.).  It is important to purchase treated wood products for the intended exposure condition.  Typically, wood products are treated for “above ground use” and “ground contact/fresh water immersion use.”  The treated wood end tag should state the recommended end use for the treated wood product.  For more information, go to www.osmosewood.com

Nothing is “maintenance-free”.  Pressure treated wood products help protect wood from fungal decay and termite attack.  However, moisture, sun, and outdoor conditions may cause the wood project to show signs of weathering.  Natural weathering such as raised grain, splitting, checking, twisting, warping, shrinkage, or swelling occurs in wood treated or untreated. To help reduce the effects of natural weathering, the use of a clear water repellent coating or a semi-transparent water repellent coating product is recommended.    If you desire to apply a paint, stain, clear water repellent, or other finish to your preservative treated wood, we recommend following the manufacturer’s instructions and label of the finishing product.  Before you start, we recommend you apply the finishing product to a small exposed test area before completing the entire project to insure it provides the intended result before proceeding.

Yes.  If you desire to apply a paint, stain, clear water repellent, or other finish to your preservative treated wood, we recommend following the manufacturer’s instructions and label of the finishing product.  Before you start, we recommend you apply the finishing product to a small exposed test area before completing the entire project to insure it provides the intended result before proceeding.

Depending on the look you want to achieve you can use a clear water repellent coating or a semi-transparent water repellent coating product.  If you desire to apply a paint, stain, clear water repellent, or other finish to your preservative treated wood, we recommend following the manufacturer’s instructions and label of the finishing product.  Before you start, we recommend you apply the finishing product to a small exposed test area before completing the entire project to insure it provides the intended result before proceeding. 

Most water repellent coating manufacturers recommend an annual application.  We recommend you follow the manufactures’ instructions.

There are several pressure treated wood deck cleaning products on the market that are available and can be purchased from hardware stores or home centers.  These cleaning products are typically referred to as cleaners, brighteners and restorers.  Always follow the manufacturer’s recommendations.

Yes, follow the pressure washer manufacturer’s recommendations.

Fasteners (and other metal products) for use with NatureWood ACQ preserved wood products include:

- Hot-Dip Galvanized* (The minimum standard)
Fastener, hardware, and metal product manufacturers have suggested the minimum Hot-Dip Galvanized requirements for use with treated wood should conform to the following ASTM Standards: ASTM- A153 (for Hot Dip fastener products) and ASTM- A 653 (Coating Designation G-185 for Hot-Dip connector and sheet products).

- Stainless Steel
Stainless steel fasteners and connectors are required for Permanent Wood Foundations below grade and are recommended for use with treated wood in other severe exterior applications such as swimming pools, salt water exposure, etc. - Type 304 and 316 are the recommended grades to use.

- Other fasteners, hardware or any metal product as recommended by their manufacturer
There may be additional products (other than stainless steel or G-185 Hot-Dip galvanized) which are suitable for use with NatureWood treated wood. Please consult with the individual fastener, hardware, or metal product manufacturer for recommendations for use of their products with NatureWood ACQ treated wood.

- Aluminum should not be used in direct contact with NatureWood ACQ treated wood. Spacer materials or other physical barriers are recommended to prevent direct contact of NatureWood ACQ treated wood and aluminum products.

NatureWood ACQ pressure treated wood posts produced for “ground contact uses” can be placed in the ground with or without the use of concrete. 

We do not recommend it; however, if NatureWood ACQ treated wood products are used for this application,  it is suggested that all of the treated wood products are produced for “ground contact use.”

NatureWood® ACQ treated wood products may be used to construct raised bed gardens.  The minimum preservative retention for NatureWood ACQ treated wood products for raised bed gardens is 0.40 pcf.

Very small amounts of copper and quaternary will migrate out of NatureWood ACQ treated wood over time.  If it is desirable to minimize the migration of  copper or quat into the soil of a raised bed garden, we recommend that a suitable thin plastic material be used as a barrier between the NatureWood ACQ treated wood and the raised bed garden soil.

NatureWood ACQ pressure treated wood products can be used for outdoor picnic tables.  We recommend that the picnic table be covered to prevent food from contacting the wood surface.  It is not recommended that any treated wood product be used as a countertop.  Do not put food directly in contact with treated wood.

Do not use preserved wood under circumstances where the preservative may become a component of food, animal feed, or beehives.

Mold occurring on pressure treated wood products is typically not an indication of fungal decay attack.  Mold growth can and does occur on the surface of many products, including untreated and treated wood, during prolonged surface exposure to excessive moisture conditions.  To remove mold from the treated wood surface, wood should be allowed to dry.  Typically, mild soap and water can be used to remove remaining surface mold. 
For more information visit www.epa.gov

Osmose wood preservative products do not contain formaldehyde.  However, glues used to produce plywood, glue laminates, and other engineered wood products may contain formaldehyde.  Contact the engineered wood producer for information regarding the use of formaldehyde in their products. 

Yes, NatureWood ACQ and MicroPro treated wood products can be used together; however, use fasteners compatible with NatureWood ACQ where they may come in direct or indirect contact with the NatureWood ACQ treated wood.