Most Forest products are guaranteed for 15 years against rot through either pressure treatment or dip treatment.

Pressure treated timber
All Forest timber items which are designed to be in ground contact are pressure impregnated with Osmose Naturewood preservative*, an effective method used to preserve wood against fungal decay and insect attack. Osmose is a trusted name in wood preservation and supplies preservative products to a worldwide market. A decorative dye is added to the preservative process to ensure every piece of timber is coloured and preserved in one operation. This colour will fade over time to a honey brown colour.
Stains and water repellents may be applied immediately if required, providing you follow the manufacturer's instructions. If Osmose treated timber is cut, notched or drilled it is recommended that an approved cut end treatment be applied. Failure to do so may reduce the effectiveness of the treatment.

*Osmose Naturewood is a timber preservative which contains copper and an organic co-biocide (3% copper and quat with approx. 97% water, approx. 0.8% Dye and Mouldicide <0.1 %)

Non-pressure treated products
Dipped treated products should be isolated from the ground with a pressure impregnated gravel board to comply with the conditions of the guarantee.

Dipped products will fade with time. Colour is applied during manufacture to compensate for the inconsistent natural appearance of British redwoods. This colour is not permanent and to retain the factory finish, treatment should be reapplied regularly. To change the colour allow the product to mature before applying a proprietary brand.

Effects of the weather
Wood is a natural product and therefore susceptible to certain changes in an outside environment. Extremes of temperature or changes in weather conditions will cause a reaction in timber used outdoors. Heat may cause panels to lose shape but this process will be reversed when temperatures subside. Posts and pergola may warp in higher than normal temperatures. This is perfectly natural and in all but the most extreme cases normal shape returns. Sawn timber and particularly machine-rounded items such as sleepers and palisades may split. This will not affect the structural strength of the wood or your guarantee.
If installed correctly and treated regularly, Forest products will give years of service and pleasure.

Handling and use recommendations
The preservatives in Osmose Naturewood are frequently used in products that are common in our everyday lives. Copper, a naturally occurring mineral, is an effective and widely used fungicide and quaternary compounds are commonly used in household disinfectants and cleaners. Osmose Naturewood preservatives penetrate deeply into the wood and will remain for a long period of time. However, some preservative may migrate from the wood into surrounding soil over time and there may also be incidental contact with the skin during construction or use.

• Wear a dust mask, goggles and gloves when cutting or handling wood.
• All sawdust and construction debris should be cleaned up and disposed of.
• Wash hands in normal soapy water and prior to handling food.
• Wash work clothes separately from other household clothing before re-use.
• Preserved wood should not be used where it may come into direct contact 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.
• The product should be disposed to normal landfill in keeping with the legislation in place at the time. It should not be burned other than in an approved incinerator.
• Osmose treated timber is not recommended for use in small garden ponds of stagnant water where fish will be kept. In the case of a lake or a pond with fresh running water. Osmose treated timber is perfectly suitable.

For further information please visit these manufacturer websites