Green Building Store currently sells two types of Boron based timber preservatives, as well as a alternatives to external timber treatments.
Water based borates Glycol borates Alternatives to Creosote and similar products
Water based borates
Inorganic borates are water soluble, which means that there is no need to use solvents to carry them into timber.
BORAX TIMBER PRESERVATIVE
This water based boron rich preservative is ready formulated for ease of use. It contains a natural colouring agent which is virtually imperceptible when dry, buy makes it easy to see which areas you have treated when wet.
Borax timber preservative is suitable for most applications for interior use, and is effective against all common insect and fungal attack in timber. For exterior use you will need to protect the timber afterwards with one of our oil based exterior products, otherwise rain will eventually begin to leach the boron out of the timber. This is not suitable for timbers which are being installed below ground (see our Natural Asphalt Lacquer for this).
Application is by brush, dipping or spray (a simple garden spray will do fine). Timber must be bare, clean and grease free.
To provide the adequate loading of boron in the timber, you will need to apply at following amounts:
Timber up to 40 mm thick - 10 m2/L Timber over 40 mm thick - 8 m2/L G
Generally two generous brush coats will be required.
Glycol borates
Glycol borates are formulations of inorganic borate salts in a carrier of monoethylene glycol, the same substance used in car antifreeze.
Glycol borates are highly effective timber preservatives. They are the only group of timber preservatives which can kill dry rot fungi (Merulius Lacrymans) in situ, removing the need to take out large volumes of timber following an attack.
Glycol borates are specifically formulated for remedial applications, that is for treating against existing insect and fungal attack in buildings. The glycol carrier and boron salt work together to ensure maximum penetration, which has been shown to be up to 40mm into the timber.
Glycol borates are however extremely useful for preventative pretreatment of finished joinery items for the following reasons:
Far less tendency to raise grain than purely water based formulations
Very little effect on dimensional stability
The power to penetrate up to 40mm removes the need to treat in component form
Currently all of our glycol borate products are licensed only for professional use. Although exceptionally safe, the manufacturers have not sought licensing for private use as the products are intended for the remedial market. We sell these products on the understanding that the purchaser will ensure compliance with this licensing requirement.
BORACOL 10 Glycol borate formulation specifically intended for masonry impregnation in remedial treatment of Dry Rot. Highly effective and odourless. 1 coat 6 - 8 m2/L
BORACOL 20 A general purpose glycol borate formulation which can be used for all remedial treatment of timbers. Also very effective for pretreatment of finished joinery items. 1 coat 8 - 12 m2/L
BORACOL 40 A glycol borate paste, which can be used for injection into pre-bored holes in joist ends, door frames and other applications where a reservoir within the timber is required.
Alternatives to Creosote and similar products:
FENCE AND SHED PRESERVER A formulation containing natural asphalt, natural resins and vegetable oils, this is a sensible and economical alternative to creosote, penetrating timber deeply to produce a rich dark brown finish. Suitable for garden fences and posts, cold frames, sheds, wooden playground structures and other external timbers.
2 - 3 coats 8 - 12 m2/L
FENCE AND GARDEN STAIN Solvent free Brown and Green Fence and Garden Stains are water based treatments containing extracts from the woad plant for natural timber protection, in combination with a synthetic urethane oil. These have a wide range of applications and are safe and very easy to use.
