Tanalised or pressure treated timber are two names given to describe the same process; in which timber undergoes a pressurised chemical treatment to preserve the wood. Commonly this process is used on softwood to improve life expectancy and make the timber more resilient to rot, fungus, mould, insect attack and general harsh damp weather conditions.
The tanalising process itself can be broken down in to five main steps:
- The timber is loaded into a large treatment tank and put under a vacuum - The tank is then completely flooded with wood preservative - The tank, whilst full, is then put under hydraulic pressure forcing the preservative deep into the timber - The tank is then drained and the vacuum broken, allowing the low pressure inside the timber to draw in any remaining preservative - The timber is left to dry naturally
For more information on the tanalising process please visit our technical area guide on tanalising timber - Click Here
Suregreen machine rounded fencing posts are treated softwood stakes which are ideal for garden fences, agricultural fencing, animal fences, boundary and field fencing. These machine rounded posts have a decorative chamfered top and a pointed base for easier installation, although alternative designs are available for bulk orders; please contact us directly for more information. Not only are these timber posts used for fencing purposes, but they are also commonly used as tree support stakes for young sapling trees or tree shelter tubes. We have a wide range of posts to offer ranging from 1.2m to 2.4m in length and in a variety of different diameters to fit almost all applications.
All Suregreen machine rounded fencing posts are tanalised treated with a wood preservative treatment to provide long-lasting protection and to reduce damage caused by fungal decay, insect attacks and rotting caused by water. Although the life-span of timber is heavily reliant on the conditions in which it is used, we have found that our standard green tanalised treatment, under traditional circumstances, will prevent rotting for up to 8-15 years.
Features & Benefits
- Tanalised treated - All posts are pressure treated giving 8-15 years of protection against rotting. - Chamfered top - A simple decorative top giving a more attractive finish to the post. - Pointed base - The pointed base allows for easier installation. - Manufactured from softwood – A quality, cost-effective timber - Available in different diameters - Thinner posts are ideal for lightweight fencing, or tree stakes, thicker posts are ideal for anchor posts or heavier duty agricultural fences such as stock fencing.
For more information on machine-rounded fencing posts and timber please visit our technical area - click hereWhy choose Suregreen fencing posts? We at Suregreen pride ourselves on supplying quality timber that is strong and long-lasting. When going in for treatment we ensure that the chemical balance and treatment process is specified for the type of softwood used to create the posts. This provides a quality treatment that ensures our timber posts last for many years in almost any environment.
Does the wood require further treatment or staining? Our timber posts do not require any further treatment and are ready to be installed upon delivery. We recommend that you avoid cutting the timber as this can expose untreated areas however if this cannot be avoided then please ensure that you use wood stain or preservative on and around the cut surface.
Is Suregreen fencing posts safe for use around children? The treated timber is perfectly safe to use around children and playgrounds. The chemicals, once absorbed into the timber, become safe for humans, animals and the environment.
Is tanalised timber safe around pets and fish ponds? The timber is safe around pets and should not cause any harm, even if chewed. Using our timber around fish and ponds is safe to a degree however we strongly recommend that the timber does not make direct contact with the water of the pond. Fish are very sensitive animals and the timber may cause a change to the environment that could cause distress.
Can I use Suregreen timber posts in nature reserves? Our timber is perfectly safe to use around any wildlife and will not have an environmental impact on the surrounding area.
Can I use galvanised treated steel directly on tanalised treated wood? The galvanising process is something used on steel products to help protect them from the elements, much like the tanalising treatment on timber products. Attaching galvanised steel straight to treated timber will not cause any issues to ether product. We even recommend using galvanised u-nails to attach fencing to the posts.
Is the timber safe to make raised beds or compost bins? As we supply it, the timber is perfectly safe; the preserved timber can be used for raised beds or compost bins and will cause no issues in terms of the organic status of the soil. However, timber often has to be cut to make such structures. These newly exposed areas will require treatment and we cannot guarantee that any external preservative or stains will be safe.
What is the difference between dip-treated and pressure-treated timber? None of Suregreen’s timber products are dip-treated, although the timber is still treated using the same or very similar chemicals. During the dip-treat process, the preservative is simply brushed on to the external faces of the timber. The tanalised pressure treatment ensures that the preservative gets deep into the timber and ensures superior protection and longer life for the timber.
What if I need to cut the posts? We recommend that cutting the wood is avoided where possible. Although it is perfectly safe to cut the timber, it can leave untreated and exposed areas. These areas will require further treatment with wood stain or preservative, otherwise it could leave vulnerable sections on the timber that may cause the whole post to fail.
What colour will the posts be? This sounds like a strange question, however to those familiar with tanalised wood will know that the timber can be delivered in a few different colours depending on what type of softwood is used and when the wood was treated. When the wood has first undergone the tanalised treatment, it often takes on a green colour. This will soon fade to a golden brown and can eventually leave a subtle grey/ silver finish to the posts. The colour differences will all fade and become less pronounced over time however we cannot guarantee that any of our posts will be the exact same colour.
Should there be splits in the timber? This is a commonly asked question, as people often fear any splits may be a product fault that could lead to a shorter lifespan or a structural failure. This is not the case. Timber is a natural product and when wood undergoes the drying and treatment process splits can develop. When the timber is first cut, it can often consist of almost 50% water. By the time it gets to our customers the water level is often closer to 20-25%. Often, these splits can change over time with some closing and others opening usually being impacted by the weather. Periods of prolonged dry weather throughout summer can often result in more splits within the timber as the water content within the post drops. The tanalised treatment ensures the preservative has penetrated deep into the timber so these splits are very unlikely to cause any structural or longevity issues. However, if you are unsure please contact us for more information and assistance.
Please click here to visit our full FAQs List
For more information on Suregeen fencing posts and timber please visit our technical area.
