Eco Wood Treatment & Stain

Eco Wood Treatment & Stain are manufactured by Intl. Eco Wood Treatment Limited, Canada and is sold throughout North America, Japan, United Kingdom and Europe. It is available in New Zealand and Australia from Harm Less Solutions Limited and our distributors.

 

 

In Canada, Eco Wood Treatment has been treating marinas, houses, fences and decking for over 60 years with a recipe handed down through three generations of wood-working craftsmen. It has been widely used by National Park authorities, government departments and local bodies throughout Canada for over 20 years.

This product is unique to the world of stains. In this age of concern about our environment both consumers and contractors are very receptive to products that are of low-toxicity and friendly to nature.

Eco Wood Treatment is a once only, low toxicity, water based timber stain and preservative for use on previously untreated solid timbers. Eco Wood Treatment contains naturally occurring plant and mineral substances which penetrate the wood fibres, permanently modifying the wood structure. It is friendly to plants, animals and people and can be safely used in direct contact with garden soil. Independent laboratory testing confirms that Eco Wood Treatment creates no harmful residue in soils and water.

Eco Wood Treatment is supplied as a powder concentrate which when mixed with water is then applied to bare timber by brush, roller, sprayer or dipping. Once applied the timber darkens in colour before gradually weathering to a silvered or bronzed natural finish which continues to gain character while protecting the timber over the years with no further application needed – Ever !

 

Where Can Eco Wood Treatment Be Used?
Eco Wood Treatment is suitable for all outdoor bare wood applications such as:

  •     Decks & fences
  •     Building sidings
  •     Outdoor furniture
  •     Raised garden beds & planters
  •     Animal housing
  •     Chicken houses & laying boxes
  •     Beehives
  •     Playground equipment
  •     Log houses

 

 

Why Use Eco Wood Treatment?

Unlike some wood stains, Eco Wood Treatment contains no volatile organic compounds (VOPs), poisons or toxic ingredients. Friendly to plants, insects, animals and people, Eco Wood treatment can be used in direct contact with garden soil without any toxic effect.

By using this economical and environment-friendly wood treatment product, you make a positive statement about conserving your environment.

Eco Wood Treatment:

  •     Leaves no harmful residue in soil or water
  •     Proudly manufactured in Canada using sustainable resources
  •     One easy application lasts a lifetime with no maintenance
  •     In use for over 60 years with proven results
  •     Safe for use in gardens
  •     Safe for children and play areas
  •     Ideal for decks, posts, log homes, sheds, doors, animal housing and more
  •     Easy application
  •     4.5 litres covers 14-18 m2
  •     Can be applied in any weather; even 0 degrees Celsius
  •     Powder concentrate is light and easy to ship with indefinite shelf life
  •     No waste; mix only what you need
  •     Safe to mix and apply
  •     No need to ever scrape, re-stain or worry about fading and wear
  •     Complete satisfaction guaranteed
  •     Eco Wood Treatment is economical, especially as one application is all you will ever need.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As the years pass, the finish gets better and better in spite of and because of the elements that normally cause the finish to deteriorate. Eco Wood Treatment gives wood an attractive silver patina with variations depending on the type of wood. Pine gains a bleached/blond colour, and macrocarpa and eucalyptus quickly reach their natural weathered finish. Over time and with exposure to the elements, through the treatment process, the natural patina is enhanced with a silvering appearance. If a new piece of wood is treated and installed along side older treated wood (i.e. fence board/panel) the new wood will soon blend perfectly with the old.

Cracking and checking is part of the weathering process. Eco Wood Treatment works with this process by migrating into cracks to cover the newly exposed wood as it occurs. Chemical sealers and stains cannot make this claim.

What is Eco Wood Stain?

This product has recently been added to Eco Wood Treatment's range as a convenient alternative for those users who prefer to add a little colour to their rustic look. Eco Wood Stain is essentially 'original' Eco Wood Treatment with an appropriately sized dose of liquid tinter packaged with it in a choice of Red, Black, Grey ('weathered') Brown or Blue (not shown below).

 

 

Eco Wood Stain can be used for exterior timber projects including as a contrast against adjacent timber that has had Eco Wood Treatment applied to it.

  • Eco Wood Stain is also suitable for interior applications.
  • Water based sealer can be applied over Eco Wood Stain.
  • Shelf life of the prepared liquid is about 1 month.
  • Eco Wood Stain coloured tint will slowly fade away after 5 years.
  • Eco Wood Stain is not recommended for use on decking.

 

 

How to Use Eco Wood Treatment

Eco Wood Treatment is purchased as a powder concentrate available in 4.5 litre and 22 litre packages. Just mix powdered concentrate with water, and then add tint if preparing Eco Wood Stain. Stir occasionally during use to maintain proper solution. Apply to bare, untreated or pressure treated wood using normal application methods – brush, roller, dipping or spraying. Best results will be gained on well seasoned timber as the reduced moisture content will promote the absorption of the Eco Wood Treatment solution. For spray application, strain the mix through a coffee filter paper or similar to prevent stray particles blocking the nozzle. A good quality pressure garden sprayer is suitable for application.

 

Ensure that all wood surfaces are completely wetted, especially end grains, fresh cuts and open cracks. Some types of wood surfaces will show no immediate visible change in colour. This is normal. For increased penetration, and to ensure a uniform rate of application, wood can be immersed in Eco Wood Treatment for a few minutes, with the excess then being allowed to drain off. For posts and other wood that will be in contact with the ground allow to soak in triple strength solution for 3 or more days. A shallow tray can be constructed using building polythene with a timber surround, for soaking timber lengths or to catch run-off during application. The bottom end of posts can be soaked by standing them in a blanked off plastic pipe for single posts or a suitable sized drum for multiples. Eco Wood Treatment solution remaining in the tray or drum can be used for other application such as treating timber cut ends during construction. Remaining 'ground contact' solution can be diluted to standard solution before reuse.

 

 

Wood can be handled while wet without leaving marks on the wood making it a convenient application process during a construction project. The weathering process helps penetration and can be accelerated by wetting and drying the wood. Eco Wood Treatment treated wood is best allowed to dry completely (1 - 2 days) before being exposed to water, including rain, so as to maximize its affinity with the wood fibres.

Coverage rate - Eco Wood Treatment's 4.5 litre pack will provide coverage of 14-18 m2, 22 litre pack will cover 70-90 m2. Eco Wood Stain's 3.7 litre pack will cover 12-14 m2, the 18.5 litre pack will cover 60-70 m2. These rates are dependent on your method of application and absorbancy (dryness) of the timber.

Clean Up - Eco Wood Treatment cleans up simply with soap and water.

Shelf life - In its concentrated, dry form Eco Wood Treatment will store indefinitely. After mixing with water, the solution keeps best in a sealed jar and will last a very long time. With increased time, water will become stagnant unless distilled water is used in the mixing process. If you mix only what you need, you minimize the possibility of having large amounts of Eco Wood Treatment solution left over.

Sealers or colored stains - Sealers are not necessary and not recommended. Eco Wood Treatment does not seal wood but instead allows the wood to breathe and age naturally. Coloured stains can be applied over Eco Wood Treatment but most commercial stains do not offer the weathering feature that is integral in the Eco Wood Treatment process. Water based pigments can be successfully added to Eco Wood Treatment, or Eco Wood Stain is a convenient combination of Eco Wood Treatment with a choice of coloured tints included in the one pack.

Precautions - Eco Wood Treatment or Stain treated wood is harmless to people, soil, plants, water and gardens. The dry powder concentrate is acidic. Avoid inhalation and contact with eyes. In case of accidental contact with eyes, flush with water for a minimum of 15 minutes. If irritation persists, seek medical attention. Ingestion of solution may cause gastro-intestinal irritation. Use care in applying solutions, as it may permanently stain clothes, fabrics, windows, stucco, concrete, stone work etc.

 

 

FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

Q: What is Eco Wood Treatment made of?
A: Eco consists of naturally occurring plant and mineral substances, combined in a special family recipe. The solution soaks in and penetrates wood fibres. Independent laboratory testing confirms that Eco Wood Treatment creates no harmful residues in soil or water.

Q: Lots of products for exterior wood claim to be no-maintenance, but in fact have to be re-applied within 2-3 years. What does Eco mean by no-maintenance?
A: No-maintenance means you apply one treatment of Eco and NEVER touch it again. Eco Wood Treatment can not be worn off, will not peel or fade. Natural weathering actually increases its beauty and effectiveness.

Q: Is Eco Wood Treatment good for most types of wood?
A: Eco will beautify and increase the durability of all solid woods. We advise however that the use of Eco on low durabilty wood such as pine, particularly when used in ground contacting applications, may not provide an acceptable level of preservation.

Q: Can Eco Wood Treatment be used on previously painted or stained wood?
A: It can but residual oils and other sealants from this previous treatment may significantly limit the penetration of Eco into the wood and therefore its action.

Q: How is Eco Wood Treatment applied?
A: It can be applied in all conventional ways including by brush, roller, sprayer or dipping. It can be safely worked while still wet without leaving permanent finger or foot marks. It can also be applied in any weather down to 0°C.

Q: How long is its' shelf life?
A: In powder form, Eco can be stored indefinitely. After mixing with water, the solution keeps best in a sealed container and will last an extremely long time. With increased time however, water may become stagnant unless distilled water is used to mix the batch. Because you can mix only what you need, the likelihood that you will have large amounts of Eco Wood Treatment solution left over is minimised.

Q: It sounds expensive. Is it?
A: No! In fact, Eco Wood Treatment is priced below several nationally advertised stains and wood treatments that must be applied many times over the life of the wood. Eco Wood Treatment is simply the least expensive and most effective wood treatment available. Shipping and handling costs have been greatly reduced because Eco Wood Treatment & Stain are purchased in concentrate form and the savings are passed onto the end user.

Q: Can I apply sealers or coloured stains over Eco Wood Treatment?
A: Yes, you can, but we don't recommend this. (Water based sealer can be applied over Eco Wood Stain).

Q: Is Eco Wood Treatment safe to use on timber in contact with birds or animals?
A: Eco Wood Treatment is safe to use on wood that is direct contact with people, animals, birds and soil as it has very low toxicity and does not leach harmful residue into the soil. Eco Wood Treatment is a totally different product to CCA (Chromated Copper Arsenate), the standard preservative treatment for pine in New Zealand.

Q: Is Eco Wood Treatment suitable for use on CCA treated pine?
A: The preservative qualities of Eco Wood Treatment would be made redundant by the CCA treatment. The effects of Eco Wood Treatment would only be in terms of appearance in such situations.

Q: Will Eco Wood Treatment prevent cracking or splitting?
A: Splitting is a result of loss of internal moisture from timber and as Eco Wood Treatment & Stain are water based they will not prevent wood cracking as it dries. The effect of Eco Wood Treatment will however continue to treat the wood by migrating into new cracks and colouring newly exposed wood. Some degree of splitting will also enhance the rustic appearance that Eco Wood Treatment gives to wood.

Q: What quantities is Eco Wood Treatment available in?
A: Eco Wood Treatment is available in packs of concentrate sufficient to make 4.5 litres or 22 litres of solution.

Q: Are Eco Wood Treatment & Stain suitable for use on plywood or composite exterior cladding?
A: As Eco Wood Treatment and Stain do not seal the wood surface there may be a risk of delamination in such applications. Check with the timber supplier/manufacturer before use.

Q: Who is using Eco Wood Treatment?
A: Canadian contractors have been using it for 60 years in house and marina construction. Some of the organisations using Eco Wood Treatment:

  •     Parks Canada has used Eco in several National Parks including Banff, Kootenay and Yoho National Parks.
  •     The British Columbia Ministry of Transportation approved Eco for municipal and highway signage projects.
  •     The City of Calgary is using Eco for treating wooden roadside sound barrier fencing.
  •     Nova Scotia Natural Resources is testing the product on picnic tables in Provincial Parks.
  •     Several construction contractors and log home builders are now using Eco Wood Treatment in Canada and the U.S.

Q: Is Eco Wood Treatment permitted for use on Certified Organic properties?
A: Currently Eco can be used on non-production areas of organic farms only, due to certification technicalities. As with any input to a Certified Organic operation check with your certifying body before use.

Q: Will timber treated with this product meet building code specifications?
A: Eco Wood Treatment is not recognised by NZ building codes as yet. It increases the durability of woods but does not have the preservation strength (or toxicity) of CCA so is less suitable for use on low durability timbers such as plantation pine. Eco is however suitable for use on exterior claddings of macrocarpa or other more naturally durable timbers but its use in such situations should be cleared by your building authority if applicable.