Treated Wood Foundations Explained

The undisputed durability of wood foundations has made them a popular choice among residential and commercial construction. Wood foundations need minimal maintenance and offer years of worry freeperformance. The aging process may induce some minor problems but wood foundations are easy-to-repair. Further, wood foundations are an affordable choice and their structural stability is on par with other  contemporary foundation systems. However, before choosing a wooden foundation for your basement, you should have complete knowledge about their different features.

Understanding Pressure Treated Wood Preparation

Most wood foundations are made from pressure-treated wood. This wood is regarded as the safest choice for household foundations, being resistant against weather extremes and structural stress. Pressure treatment is essentially an industrial process. Pressure treating involves infusing a special adhesive-like chemical within the grain of the wood. However, some homeowners insist of upon making treated wood more durable by further coating it with retailed, wood adhesives. This form of household wood treatment is a way of accentuating the desirable properties of treated wood. Plain lumber cannot be pressure treated in a conventional household set-up. It is advisable to buy retailed, pressure-treated wood and then modify it according to your basement requirements.

Understanding Treated Wood Advantages

The application of preservative slows-up the tendency of the wood to contract or expand owing to temperature conditions. It makes the wood impermeable to water. The outer surface develops a distinct, shiny appearance. Treated wood does not rot even when exposed to sustained moisture seepage. The pressure treatment lends it the strength to survive basement problems such as mold/fungus attacks and vermin infestation. The pressure treatment also makes the foundation safer since the treated wood becomes more fire-resistant. Pressure-treated wood is also available across a wide price and size range, suited for all basement requirements. Treated wood for foundations can be bought as plywood, boards/posts or lumber blocks. Treated wood is better equipped to handle deep-seated basement problems like cracks induced due to shifting of the underlying soil layers. Other features of treated wood foundations include:

Greater Basement Flexibility

Wood foundations are a major cost-saver if remodeling or renovations are undertaken. The reason lies in the ease with which plumbing and electrical installations can be established and retracted from wood foundations. The wood panels/boards can be easily removed and increased/decreased in number according to the new landscaping requirement. Unlike concrete foundations, there is no need to destroy the basement to make wholesome changes.

Better Thermal Efficiency

The infusion of adhesive also raises the wood’s ability to conserve energy. This is why treated wood foundations are particularly recommended for homes in colder regions. Presence of a wood foundation helps to retain the internal heat, raising the overall thermal regulation of the house. In warmer areas, wood foundations prevent the leakage of the internal, cooler air through the basement. This helps to keep the interiors cool and reduces dependence on air-conditioning devices.

Easy Installation and Repairing

Concrete foundations are expensive to establish. They require an extensive, leveling and curing process. However, wood panels need minimal shaping or manipulation. The wooden boards can be easily secured with standard tools. There is no need to apply expensive adhesives. Treated wood doesn't crack easily. Thus, it is easier-to-handle during the installation. It can be installed in basements with highly acidic soils without the need of chemically treating the sub-soil layers. This is a major cost saving. The wooden panels can be easily replaced through self-executed repairs, if they crack. Substitute paneling is easily available at hardware stores. The panel bits can be easily installed with conventional, household tools, requiring little woodworking expertise.