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Old 11-09-2007, 03:09 PM posted to rec.gardens
Jim Kingdon Jim Kingdon is offline
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First recorded activity by GardenBanter: Jun 2007
Posts: 167
Default What is the best way to protect wood from the elements?

1) Is it safe to use building contruction wood (plywood, studs,
etc.)? It is very likely that some of teh wood has been traited with
various chemicals... (I have no way to verify that...)


The plywood is held together by glue. I guess (based on wikipedia)
that it is usually urea-formaldehyde glue (interior plywood) or
phenol-formaldehyde glue (exterior plywood). I didn't look up a
material safety data sheet or anything too detailed, but even if this
stuff isn't super for the environment, I don't think it will poison
your birds (at least, many birdhouse plans call for it), plants, etc.

As for the studs, assuming they are indoor studs (whiteish and smell
like wood) they aren't treated (not much anyway). The nasty treated
stuff is greenish and smells like, well, chemicals for lack of a
better word. Your builders might have used it for the bottom of a
wall (in contact with the foundation), exterior work like decks, etc,
but they shouldn't have used it for normal framing of walls and such.
It lasts longer outdoors but I don't use it. Too much potential
hazard for the plants, me, the dogs, beneficial insects, etc.

2) What is the best way to protect the various items from the rain,
sun, etc? What is the best paint? dye? etc. Anything that would be
safe for the environment?


One good choice for the environment is just to leave the plain wood.
It will turn grey but won't rot especially fast as long as it stays
dry. Where you are likely to get rot is where the wood is in contact
with the soil (paint can only help so much with this) or anything else
that will not let it dry out.

Linseed oil is generally considered the environmental choice if you do
want a finish.

3) Also I have leftover shingles (with an asphalte base), would these
be safe for the roof cover of the bird/bat houses?


If you were shopping for shingles and an eco-friendly product were
your priority, you might choose something else (see
http://www.greenlivingjournal.com/page.php?p=1008 for a long
discussion with lots of pros and cons). But I don't think there is
anything especially toxic about the asphalt.