Hello! Quick question, what preservative treatment is used in this H3 pine decking product? Thanks! https://www.bunnings.com.au/90-x-22mm-decking-h3-treated-pine-3-6m_p8032587
Hi @mjqld,
Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community, it is fantastic to have you with us.
While I can't make a blanket statement about the specific treatment used because we have different suppliers for pine decking all across our network, I can confirm that it will not be CCA treatment as the use of CCA treatment on residential decking products was banned in 2006.
If you can advise a general area where you are located, I can reach out to our suppliers for their guidance when they reopen tomorrow.
Jacob
Hi, thanks for the reply and letting me know about the rules regarding CCA use. I am in the Ipswich QLD area. Not being a CCA product will work for my needs, cheers, MJ
I've just double-checked with our supplier, and the decking at Bunnings West Ipswich is H3 LOSP treated. LOSP (Light Organic Solvent Preservative) treatment is a solvent-based timber preservation process that protects seasoned wood from termites and fungal decay while keeping it dry and dimensionally stable.
Please let me know if you have any questions.
Mitchell
Great to know, it's a really useful product, thanks!
Followup question, do you have any similar products that are ACQ? I am building a chicken coop/run, and worry about runoff from the timber into the soil (with the understanding that sealing and painting can slow that down). I can't easily afford untreated hardwood. Or I just get untreated pine and replace it as it falls apart in the outdoor elements. Thanks.
LOSP is generally considered to have lower, or at least different, toxicity risks and environmental impacts compared to ACQ, particularly in terms of handling and environmental leaching, although both are considered safer alternatives to older CCA treatments.
As long as the timber is not in contact with the ground, then the H3 decking is suitable. Otherwise, you could use weatherboards or fibre cement cladding. If you're particularly concerned, fibre cement might be your best option because it does not contain a timber treatment, it is just weather resistant by virtue of being cement based.
If it is in contact with the ground, you can use 200 x 50mm Sleeper H4 Sienna MicroPro, which uses a proprietary treatment that is Micronized Copper Azole (MCA) based. Further information can be found here - What is MicroPro Treated Lumber? - Koppers Preserved Lumber.
Let me know if you have any further questions.
Thanks for the alternative product links and good ideas to explore, much appreciated 🙂
