The Heart of the Matter
Treatments: which is which? ...

The new Australian hazard class ratings determine the protection needed by wood depending on its intended use, whether interior (H1 and H2), exterior (H3.1 and H3.2), in direct contact with ground (H4), submerged in fresh water (H5), or submerged in salt water (H6). This is adapted for the Philippine setting.

LOSPs, furthermore, require vapour-recovery systems because of Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) emissions. VOCs are, normally released by many solvent-based wood preservatives. The effects of VOCs are similar to citrus fragrances or vapor given off by a cut onion. Direct skin contact or breathing in the fumes may cause irritation of the skin and/or mucous membrane as well as headaches, dizziness and nausea even triggering asthma attacks.

VOC emissions released from LOSP used in Matwood and WeatherWood only last for a maximum of two days. These vapors are given ample time to air out in a well-ventilated place before delivery. Once aired out, these wood products are 100% safe for human contact.

Woods Hard and Soft

Matwood, MATIMCO’s line for indoor use, makes use of hardwood species from countries that exercise proper forest management. The treatment used for this is specified for hazard classes H1 to H3.1 Australian Standards. This means that this timber product’s ideal use is for interior applications or wood that is not in direct contact with harsh environments. Matwood uses Solignum for protection against termites, woodborers, and fungal decay.

Since wood is composed of sapwoods and heartwoods, solignum can only penetrate 100 percent of the sapwood and only coat the heartwood. Heartwood, however possess a natural resistance to termites, woodborers, and fungal decay.

The characteristics of softwoods (e.g. Radiata Pine, Cedars, Douglas Fir etc.) are slightly different than hardwoods when it comes to natural resistance to termites, woodborers and fungal decay. These types of wood offer almost no resistance to these threats, however preservatives can penetrate the heartwoods deeper and sapwoods of these species can be penetrated fully. Because of its reaction to preservatives, softwoods can perform better in outdoors compared to hardwoods.

Generally, hardwoods are stronger than softwoods. This doesn’t necessarily mean hardwoods are better building materials than softwoods. There are exceptions to the rule. Pine, cedars and Douglas-firs are hard softwoods, which mean they are effective building materials as well, just like most hardwoods.