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The timber treatment process uses a controlled vacuum and hydraulic pressure to help wood preservative penetrate the timber. This protects it against fungal decay, wood rot and wood-boring insects.
When you invest in wooden stables, you expect them to provide many years of service. Using correctly treated timber helps protect the structure as it faces changing weather and regular use.
At Chart Stables, we use sustainably sourced, pressure-treated timber throughout our equestrian buildings, excluding roof purlins.
There are three main stages:
Trained staff oversee each stage to keep the process safe, consistent and effective.
Preparation allows the timber to absorb the preservative correctly.
After the tree is felled, the timber is debarked, machined and profiled as required. It then dries until it reaches a suitable moisture level.
This moisture level matters because timber that contains too much water may not absorb a water-based preservative properly.
The timber must also dry at the right rate. If timber dries too quickly or unevenly, it can shrink, crack or change shape.
Once it is ready, the timber is arranged in stacks with spaces between the individual pieces. These gaps allow the preservative to circulate around the wood inside the treatment vessel.
The prepared timber stacks enter a sealed treatment chamber known as a pressure vessel. This large cylindrical chamber controls each stage of the preservative application.
If you would like to find out more, the Wood Protection Association explains how vacuum-pressure treatment works in more detail.
The treatment cycle begins by creating a vacuum inside the vessel.
This removes air from the timber cells and creates space for the preservative. The initial vacuum helps the treatment penetrate the wood more effectively during the next stage.
After the initial vacuum, the vessel fills with a water-based wood preservative.
Hydraulic pressure then forces the solution into the timber. The pressure level, treatment time and preservative concentration will depend on the wood and its intended use.
A computer-controlled system monitors the treatment cycle. This controls the amount of preservative used, the pressure applied and the length of the process.
Once the timber has received the required treatment, the vessel drains and a final vacuum removes excess preservative.
The treatment system recovers this solution so it can be reused during a later cycle. Removing excess liquid also reduces the amount left on the surface when the vessel opens.
The timber contains additional moisture after receiving a water-based preservative, so it needs time to dry.
Once the treatment cycle finishes, the timber stacks leave the vessel and remain in a suitable drying area.
Each batch includes documentation for traceability. This identifies the timber and records information about the treatment it received.
The timber is packed and secured once it is ready for transport and use in construction.
The correct specification depends on where and how the finished timber will be used.
The right treatment depends on:
These factors determine how much preservative the timber needs and how deeply it must penetrate. Timber used outside faces different conditions from timber kept permanently inside a dry building.
That is why you cannot tell whether timber has been treated correctly just by looking at it. The treatment records provide this information.
Pressure treatment protects timber against:
The preservative penetrates below the surface, providing more lasting protection than a coating applied only with a brush or spray.
However, pressure treatment does not make timber waterproof or protect it from every type of damage.
Treated wood can still suffer from:
Good building design remains essential. A solid base, good drainage, a watertight roof and regular checks will help the treated timber last.
At Chart Stables, we provide a lifetime guarantee against wood rot on the pressure-treated external timber used in our buildings, subject to the terms of the guarantee.
You do not need to paint or stain a new stable to protect the external timber from rot. You can leave the wood to weather and mellow naturally.
Yes. You can stain pressure-treated stables if you want to change or refresh their appearance.
Wait until the wood is dry enough and choose a product suitable for pressure-treated exterior timber. Pressure treatment, natural differences in the wood and exposure to the weather can affect the final colour.
Our guide to staining timber stables explains how to choose a suitable stain, prepare the wood and apply the product.
Chart Stables has designed and built timber equestrian buildings since 1994. We use pressure-treated timber to provide the strength and durability required for regular outdoor use.
Our range includes:
Every building is made to order, so you can choose a size, layout and specification that suits your horses and property.
Contact the Chart Stables team to discuss our stable ranges, timber specifications and guarantee.
Why must timber be dried before pressure treatment?
Timber needs a suitable moisture level so it can absorb the water-based preservative. Excess moisture may prevent the treatment from penetrating correctly.
Why is a vacuum used during timber treatment?
The vacuum removes air from the timber cells. This creates space for the preservative before hydraulic pressure pushes it into the wood.
Does the preservative reach the centre of the timber?
The depth of penetration varies according to the timber species, treatment and required specification. The preservative does not always need to reach the centre for the timber to receive the required protection.
Why does treated timber vary in colour?
Timber naturally varies in colour and grain. The preservative and the amount absorbed can also affect its initial appearance.
What happens to the excess preservative?
The final vacuum removes excess preservative from the vessel. The treatment system recovers it for use during another cycle.
Is pressure treatment the same as kiln drying?
No. Drying reduces the moisture in timber, while pressure treatment applies a preservative to protect it against decay and insects.
