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Wood Impregnation


  1. Prevents the wood from rotting. Wood, as a biological material, has a wide range of uses: fuel, construction material, industrial raw material, or a nutrient source for certain microorganisms. Accordingly, the requirements for wood differ depending on its intended use—different standards apply for furniture production, paper manufacturing, or construction. One essential condition for using construction wood is impregnation or treatment with wood antiseptics. When applied according to the manufacturer’s instructions, antiseptic-treated wood is durable and can last for many years.

  2. Protects against unwanted guests. Unprotected wood is a favorite food for wood-boring insects. These insects can irreversibly damage wooden structural elements of a house in a relatively short time and may later spread to other rooms, furniture, and even neighboring wooden houses. Wood treated with antiseptics is not eaten by insects, as it is simply unpalatable to them.

  3. Protects against allergies. Mould fungi are among the least demanding wood pests, thriving in areas with accumulated moisture and minimal air circulation. While they do not affect the mechanical strength of wood, their presence often leads to the growth of wood-decaying fungi. Additionally, mould releases spores into the air, which can continuously trigger allergies or allow humans to contract serious illnesses through inhalation or contact with eyes and skin. It is crucial not to clean mould dry, as this spreads spores further. Effective removal and destruction of mould on wood require specially designed chemical treatments.

  4. Prevents the growth of wood-decaying fungi. These biological parasites, like common edible fungi, include many species, but all break down cellulose or lignin in the wood, causing it to lose its mechanical properties. As a result of such damage and changes in structural integrity, the wood no longer meets technical requirements—walls may crack, and floors and roofs can begin to sag or warp.

  5. Impregnated wood requires less maintenance. When preparing to build a log house, it is essential to consider the type of wood being used, the requirements for that wood, the season it was harvested, its moisture content, storage conditions, and whether it has been treated with antiseptics. Treating logs with antiseptics ensures that a log house or other wooden structure will maintain its aesthetic appearance for a much longer time, while reducing the costs of maintenance, repairs, and restoration.

  6. The house will be warm. Construction wood damaged by various microorganisms loses its thermal resistance. To avoid higher heating costs, the wood must be treated with antiseptics.

  7. Prevents wood movement. Wood exposed to sunlight (UV rays), moisture, and temperature fluctuations undergoes lignin degradation. Lignin, which makes up about one-third of the wood, releases water-soluble substances that can be washed away by rain. As a result, the wood becomes rough, grays, and alternately absorbs and releases moisture—commonly referred to as “moving” or “working” in lay terms. This causes the wood to crack quickly, allowing additional moisture and microorganisms—biological wood-degrading agents—to penetrate the cracks. Without proper protection, reconstruction of the house may soon become necessary.

  8. Not worth using toxic substances. In earlier years, wood was often treated with diesel (“saliarka”), green oil, used oil, or similar unclear waste products, whose fumes gradually poisoned people living in the treated buildings. Unfortunately, such methods are still sometimes used today. Modern antiseptics—authorized in the European Union and accompanied by strict usage instructions—are undoubtedly much safer and more reliable.

  9. Eco-friendly thinking. Antiseptic-treated wood lasts longer, reducing the need for frequent repairs or reconstruction of wooden structures and decreasing the number of trees cut down. Wood is a renewable resource, and treated wood effectively replaces non-renewable resources.

  10. Saves your money. Those who do not understand how antiseptics work might think that skipping them will save a significant portion of the construction budget. In reality, the opposite is true. For example, a few years after the house begins to be used, mold or fungi may appear around baseboards or other finishing materials—such as drywall or plaster. This indicates that construction requirements were not followed, or damp, untreated wood and wet insulation materials were used, or installation was carried out in humid conditions.

Prepared based on materials from UAB “Retrorega.”