Micro-Guard™ treated lumber and plywood offers an environmentally-friendly preservative-treated wood product of superior quality that provides long-term protection against fungal decay, termites, corrosion, and other elements which have the potential to damage wood. Of course, higher quality comes at a higher cost, so it is helpful to understand when Micro-Guard™ products may be the more preferable solution. This review considers the top uses for Micro-Guard™ treated lumber and plywood.
What Is Micro-Guard™?
Micro-Guard™ is a brand of environmentally sensitive wood preservative and pesticide used to pressure treat plywood and lumber products. Micro-Guard™ treated lumber and plywood is Kiln Dried After Treatment (KDAT) to improve board stability, minimize warping or bowing over time, and, unlike most wet preservative treated lumber, requires minimal, if any, additional curing time prior to painting or staining.
What Are The Benefits Of Micro-Guard™ Treated Lumber And Plywood?
Micro-Guard™ treated lumber and plywood offers a number of benefits beyond standard preservative-treated wood products.
Protection From Warping Or Twisting
As mentioned, Micro-Guard™ is Kiln Dried After Treatment (KDAT). This means that it is dried to a moisture level that is 19 percent or less for lumber and 18 percent or less for plywood. The KDAT process protects the wood from uneven curing and the corrosion that could lead to warping, twisting, buckling, and crowing, which shortens the lifespan of the wood.
Protection From Termites And Fungal Decay
Termites and fungi are two of the more common causes of early damage to lumber and plywood. Micro-Guard™ offers protection from termites and fungal decay due to the extensive treatment they go through to repel them. This makes Micro-Guard™ treated lumber and plywood a more versatile and unfailing option for all kinds of general construction projects.
Environmentally Friendly
Micro-Guard™ is the clear choice when preservative treated materials are needed for jobs that need to meet LEED building requirements or otherwise provide low impact on external and internal environments.
Micro-Guard wood preservative technology has been approved for points toward National Green Building Certification and is GREENGUARD® Children & Schools certified. GREENGUARD certification indicates a low-volatile organic chemical (VOC) emission product, making it safe for use in schools, offices and sensitive environments.
A More Appealing Lumber Alternative For Contractors
Micro-Guard™ treated lumber and plywood also offers a much lighter color shade than copper-treated wood products. The lighter color is generally considered to be more aesthetically pleasing than the traditional green color of preservative treated products, making it a great option for a range of commercial and residential projects, especially if the preference is for a natural wood color.
When a painted or stained finish is desirable, KDAT Micro-Guard lumber and plywood more readily accepts these finishes with less curing time and potential for color bleed-through of the treated wood.
What Are The Top Uses for Micro-Guard™ Treated Lumber And Plywood?
Micro-Guard™ treated lumber and plywood works for general use and special purpose construction projects. The following is a more detailed look at the top uses for Micro-Guard™, which include interior construction, exterior construction and ground contact projects, including landscaping.
Interior Construction
Micro-Guard™ treated lumber and plywood’s low-VOC impact makes it the go-to choice when a preservative-treated wood is desired for interior projects. This includes but is not limited to the construction of furnishings, millwork, and other dry above-ground interior constructions. This high-quality lumber and plywood also works well for beams, timbers, and sill plates.
Exterior Construction
Micro-Guard™ is most popular for exterior construction due to the damage-resistant nature of the lumber and plywood. Most notably, Micro-Guard™ works well for the construction of fences and residential decks. It is also a great choice for the construction of high-quality wood siding and trim, joists, beams, framing, and handrails.
Ground Contact
As mentioned, Micro-Guard™ treated lumber and plywood works well for fences, decks and landscaping. Given its moisture-resistant nature, it is also great for fence and deck posts. You can also use Micro-Guard™ treated lumber and plywood for the construction of structures near water, such as docks and piers.
Get In Touch With Curtis Lumber And Plywood
If you are a retail lumber dealer in the Mid-Atlantic region who would like to provide your customers Micro-Guard™ lumber and plywood, then Curtis Lumber and Plywood has what you need. We offer Micro-Guard™ decay- and pest-resistant lumber and plywood, along with a range of other treated and untreated Southern Yellow Pine products.
