Warranty Guide
IMPORTANT APPLICATION INFORMATION
Fasteners
Fasteners - wood product pressure treated with Severe Weather
®
brand alkaline copper azole compounds sold or labeled as Severe Weather
®
brand wood product (“Severe Weather Wood Product”) is designed for long
term performance in outdoor applications and, therefore, requires high quality corrosion-resistant nails, screws, and other fasteners and hardware.
For interior or exterior applications, use fasteners and hardware that are in compliance with the manufacturer’s recommendations and the building codes for their intended use. As with any good design and
construction practices, Severe Weather Wood Product should not be used in applications where trapped moisture or water can occur. Where design and/or actual conditions allow for constant, repetitive, or long
periods of wet conditions, only stainless steel fasteners should be used.
Fasteners (and other metal products) for use with Severe Weather Wood Product include:
Hot-Dip Galvanized - Fastener and hardware manufacturers have suggested the minimum hot-dip galvanized requirements for use with treated wood should conform to the following ASTM Standards:
ASTM-A153 (for Hot-Dip fastener products) and ASTM- A 653 (Coating Designation G-185 for Hot-Dip connector and sheet products). Electroplated galvanized fastener and metal products are typically not accepted
by the building codes for use in exterior applications, regardless of the type of wood used.
Stainless Steel - Stainless steel fasteners and connectors are required for Permanent Wood Foundations below grade and are recommended for use with treated wood in other severe exterior applications such as
swimming pools, salt water exposure, etc. Type 304 and 316 are the recommended grades to use.
- Other fasteners and hardware as recommended by the manufacturer
There may be additional products (other than stainless steel or hot-dip galvanized) which are suitable for use with Severe Weather Wood Product. Please consult with the individual fastener or hardware
manufacturer for recommendations for use of their products with Severe Weather Wood Product.
- Aluminum should not be used in direct contact with Severe Weather Wood Product
Spacer materials or other physical barriers are recommended to prevent direct contact of Severe Weather Wood Product and aluminum products. When using Severe Weather Wood Product in close proximity to
aluminum products, such as aluminum siding, ashing, furniture and door and window frames, a 1/4” minimum space must be allowed for between the Severe Weather Wood Product and the aluminum products.
Polyethylene or nylon spacers can be used to maintain the 1/4” spacing. Another option is to use a polyethylene barrier, with a minimum thickness of 10 mils, between the Severe Weather Wood Product and the
aluminum product to prevent direct contact of the wood and the aluminum.
• Material should be used only as specied on the ink stamp and/or end tag attached to each piece; i.e., material that has been treated for above ground applications should not be used in ground contact
applications as this can adversely affect the performance of the entire project. In addition, no treated materials that have been end cut or trimmed should be used in ground contact applications. Above ground
applications are above ground uses where material is not in contact with soil, or placed on or over soil using a synthetic barrier or plastic material, or is continually exposed to heavy vegetation, mulch products,
ll dirt, or other conditions that could simulate a ground contact exposure. Ground contact material can be used in either above ground or ground contact applications. Ground contact applications are uses
where material is used in contact with the ground, fresh water, or other situations favorable to deterioration; above ground, but is difcult to maintain, repair or replace and is critical to the performance and safety
of the entire system/construction (e.g., joists and beams for decks and fresh water docks; or above ground but may end up in ground contact or is subject to hazards comparable to ground contact due to climate,
articial or natural processes or construction. Examples of ground contact general use applications include fence posts, deck posts, guardrail posts, structural lumber, joists and beams for decks and freshwater
docks, and timbers located in regions of low natural potential for wood decay and insect attack. Material should also be used in accordance with state and local building codes as some state and local authorities
have policies requiring pressure treated wood product used in “close proximity” to the ground to be treated for ground contact applications.
• When appearance permits, attach boards bark side up. As a general rule, attach boards bark side up (annual rings arc upward) to reduce cupping; however, the best face should be placed up when a defect of the
wood is apparent. Fasten thin boards to thicker boards to maintain structural integrity.
• Drill pilot holes - Drill pilot holes especially when nailing or screwing near the edge or end of a board. Pilot holes will help minimize splitting.
• Deck board spacing - Should the wood become wet during construction, butt deck boards together. As drying occurs, some shrinkage can be expected. If the wood is dry, allowing for shrinkage is not necessary.
• Use an endcoat preservative - A brush on endcoat wood preservative should be applied at the time of construction on all saw cuts and drill holes for Severe Weather Wood Product (all wood species). Recommended
endcoat wood preservatives include copper naphthenate, oxine copper, or zinc naphthenate products. Important: Follow the manufacturer’s directions for proper application.
• Apply a weather-resistant nish - Any exposed wood, pressure treated or not, should be protected from the weather. Application of a quality clear water repellent or semi-transparent stain, which contains water
repellent, will help minimize the cycles of moisture take-up and loss the wood goes through outdoors. First, determine if your Severe Weather Wood Product has been pressure treated with a factory applied water
repellent by looking at the end tag. If not factory water repellent treated, thoroughly clean your project with a deck cleaning product. Clear water repellent can be immediately applied to your deck or other project.
If you choose to use a semi-transparent stain which contains a water repellent, you need to rst check that your project is surface dry. Either wait until the surface is dry or immediately apply clear water repellent
and wait approximately 8 weeks and then apply your chosen color of semi-transparent stain. If the Severe Weather Wood Product contains a factory water repellent, an oil based stain can be applied in 30 - 60
days and water based stains can be applied after 6 months. Check that the wood is surface dry before applying stain. In all instances follow the manufacturer’s directions when applying water repellents or semi-
transparent stains which may contain water repellent.
• Do not burn preserved wood.
• Wear a dust mask and goggles when cutting or sanding wood.
• Wear gloves when working with wood.
• Some preservative may migrate from the treated wood into soil/water or may dislodge from the treated wood surface upon contact with skin. Wash exposed skin areas thoroughly.
• All sawdust and construction debris should be cleaned up and disposed of after construction.
• Wash work clothes separately from other household clothing before reuse.
• Preserved wood should not be used where it may come into direct or indirect contact with drinking water, except for uses involving incidental contact such as fresh water docks
and bridges.
• Do not use preserved wood under circumstances where the preservative may become a component of food, animal feed, or beehives.
• Do not use preserved wood as mulch.
• Only preserved wood that is visibly clean and free of surface residue should be used.
• If the wood is to be used in an interior application and becomes wet during construction, it should be allowed to dry before being covered or enclosed.
• Disposal Recommendations - Preserved wood may be disposed of in landlls or burned in commercial or industrial incinerators or boilers in accordance with federal, state, and
local regulations.
• If you desire to apply a paint, stain, clear water repellent, or other nish to your preservative treated wood, we recommend following the manufacturer’s instructions and label of
the nishing product. Before you start, we recommend you apply the nishing product to a small exposed test area before completing the entire project to insure it provides the
intended result before proceeding.
• Projects should be designed and installed in accordance with federal, state, and local building codes and ordinances governing construction in your area and in accordance with
the National Design Specications (NDS) and the Wood Handbook.
• Mold growth can and does occur on the surface of many products, including untreated and treated wood, during prolonged surface exposure to excessive moisture conditions. To
remove mold from the treated wood surface, wood should be allowed to dry. Typically, mild soap and water can be used to remove remaining surface mold. For more information
visit www.epa.gov.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Severe Weather products, as described in this warranty, are treated with Alkaline Copper Azole (CA-C). Lowe’s and the gable design, Top Choice
®
and Severe Weather
®
are registered trademarks of Lowe’s & LF, LLC. © 10/2016
For more information call 800-585-5161, or visit www.kopperspc.com