About Split Rail Fence -
It is a fence made of logs split lengthwise into rails, held together with spikes in a zigzag pattern. These are typically used for agriculture or as decorative fencing. These fences require more timber than other types and hence not found in wood scarce areas.
The cedar wood (which is usually used) is split from end to end to form several pieces called 'rails' which are stacked on one another. Some of the fences have rails stacked in an interlocking zigzag pattern, making it more self-supporting, easy to build, repair and disassemble. Sometimes, the rails are stacked directly on top of each other, and secured with double fence posts, making it more compact and a permanent structure that is easily repairable.
Why is Pressure Treated Wood used in Split Rail Fence?
Pressure Treated Wood is used in the split rail fence to enhance its durability and strength, and prevent premature wear and tear. Pressure Treated Wood is the wood that is treated with preservatives that protect the wood from insect attacks, fungal growth and wood rot.
Pressure Treatment of Wood -
Pressure treatment makes the wood suitable for long term use under harsh weather conditions. Pressure treating the woods involves a liquid preservative forced into the wood in order to protect it against the insect attack and wood rot. Chromated Copper Arsenate (CCA) and Pentachlorophenol are the most commonly used preservatives. The wood is placed in a container filled with the preservative solution and as the pressure in the container rises, the preservative is forced into the wood, and the excess preservative is drained from the wood and recycled. These days, the wood used for residential and general consumer construction is treated with Alkaline Copper Quat (ACQ) (a copper oxide-quaternary ammonium compound mixture), Copper Azole, Disodium Octaborate Tetrahydrate (DOT) or other chemicals.
Types of Wood that can be Pressure Treated
Logs used for commercial purpose have different layers. Primary among them are heartwood and sapwood. Heartwood provides the structural strength to the living tree and the sapwood transports the sap from the base of the tree up to the leaves.
Sapwood absorbs the preservatives easily than heartwood. So the most commonly used wood species for pressure treating are the ones having a higher percentage of sapwood, like Southern Pine. Other species such as Douglas Fir have more heartwood and have to be modified for the forcing and retaining adequate preservative. Incising (perforating the wood with small slits) may also be utilized to increase the penetration of preservative in heartwood species.
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