MicroPro

MicroPro® treated lumber and other wood products are available for: Above Ground, Ground Contact and Fresh Water Contact. MicroPro treated wood products are currently AWPA UC4B approved for Saltwater Splash only. MicroPro® products are not currently approved for saltwater immersion applications.

Retention levels refer to the amount of preservative retained in the wood following the treatment process. Retention levels can be different based on the wood preservative system used to pressure treat the wood product and its intended end use (ground contact, above ground contact, etc.). It is important to purchase treated wood products for the intended exposure condition. Typically, wood products are treated for “above ground use” and “ground contact/fresh water immersion use.” The treated wood end tag should state the recommended end use for the treated wood product.

Pressure treated wood products help protect wood from fungal decay and termite attack. However, moisture, sun, and outdoor conditions may cause the wood project to show signs of weathering. Natural weathering such as raised grain, splitting, checking, twisting, warping, shrinkage, or swelling occurs in wood treated or untreated. To help reduce the effects of natural weathering, the use of a clear water repellent coating or a semi-transparent water repellent coating product is recommended.

If you desire to apply a paint, stain, clear water repellent, or other finish to your preservative treated wood, we recommend following the manufacturer’s instructions and label of the finishing product. Before you start, we recommend you apply the finishing product to a small exposed test area before completing the entire project to ensure it provides the intended result before proceeding.

Guidelines for use, handling and disposing of treated wood products contain compliance information required by the California Department of Toxic Substances Control. TWW Disposal – How to safely dispose of treated wood waste in California. (opens in a new tab)

Yes. If you desire to apply a paint, stain, clear water repellent, or other finish to your preservative treated wood, we recommend following the manufacturer’s instructions and label of the finishing product. Before you start, we recommend you apply the finishing product to a small exposed test area before completing the entire project to ensure it provides the intended result before proceeding.

Most water repellent coating manufacturers recommend an annual application. We recommend you follow the manufacturers’ instructions.

There are several pressure treated wood deck cleaning products on the market that are available and can be purchased from hardware stores or home centers. These cleaning products are typically referred to as cleaners, brighteners and restorers. Always follow the manufacturer’s recommendations.

Yes, follow the pressure washer manufacturer’s recommendations.

MicroPro® technology offers many benefits including significantly improved corrosion performance. Wood treated with MicroPro® technology exhibits corrosion rates on metal products similar to CCA pressure treated wood and untreated wood.

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, MicroPro® treated wood 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.

For exterior applications: The following minimum galvanization levels may be used for connectors, joist hangers, fasteners and other hardware that are placed in direct contact with exterior applications of treated wood which utilizes MicroPro® technology:

• Fasteners - nails, screws, etc. ASTM – A 153 (1 oz/ft2)
• Hardware - connectors, joist hangers, etc. ASTM – A 653 G90 (0.90 oz/ft2)

The effects of other building materials within a given assembly, along with environmental factors, should also be considered when selecting the appropriate hardware and fasteners to use for a given project containing treated wood.

Stainless Steel fasteners and hardware 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 recommended grades to use.

MicroPro® pressure treated wood posts produced for “ground contact uses” can be placed in the ground with or without the use of concrete.

We do not recommend it; however, if MicroPro® treated wood products are used for this application, it is suggested that all of the treated wood products are produced for “ground contact use.”

MicroPro® treated wood products may be used to construct raised bed gardens. The MicroPro® treated wood process is certified by Scientific Certification Systems, Inc. (SCS) as an Environmentally Preferable Product (EPP) based on SCS’ Life-Cycle Assessment.

Recommended preservative retentions for MicroPro® treated wood products are:

• For MicroPro® MCQ (Smart Sense® Treated Wood) the minimum preservative retention is 0.34 pcf.
• For MicroPro® MCA (LifeWood® Treated Wood) the minimum preservative retention is 0.15 pcf.

Very small amounts of copper and either quaternary or azole will migrate out of MicroPro® treated wood over time. If it is desirable to minimize the migration of copper, quat or azole into the soil of a raised bed garden, we recommend that a suitable thin plastic material be used as a barrier between the MicroPro® treated wood and the raised bed garden soil.

The use of a plastic barrier will also help keep the raised bed garden soil within the bed area. For proper drainage, the plastic material should not be used underneath the raised bed garden soil.

MicroPro® pressure treated wood products can be used for outdoor picnic tables. We recommend that the picnic table be covered to prevent food from contacting the wood surface. It is not recommended that any treated wood product be used as a countertop. Do not put food directly in contact with treated wood.

Do not use preserved wood under circumstances where the preservative may become a component of food, animal feed, or beehives.

Yes, MicroPro® pressure treated wood may be used for animal fencing. However, it's always a good idea to monitor your animals to ensure they aren't excessively chewing on the wood.

Mold occurring on pressure treated wood products is typically not an indication of fungal decay attack. 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 the EPA Website. (opens in a new tab)

Koppers wood preservative products do not contain formaldehyde. However, glues used to produce plywood, glue laminates, and other engineered wood products may contain formaldehyde. Contact the engineered wood producer for information regarding the use of formaldehyde in their products.

Yes, NatureWood® ACQ and MicroPro® treated wood products can be used together; however, use fasteners compatible with NatureWood® ACQ where they may come in direct or indirect contact with the NatureWood® ACQ treated wood.

Yes. Check with your local lumberyard or home center for availability.

Yes. The MCA preservative used in MicroPro® is an American Wood Protection Association (AWPA) standardized wood preservative.

MicroPro® treated lumber and other wood products are also available in popular consumer colors similar to redwood and cedar products with the MicroShades® color pigment system. Check with your building material supplier for availability in your area.