frequently asked questions
 

WHAT IS Bodyguard^®?

Bodyguard^® is a range of premier finger-jointed New Zealand radiata pine products that incorporates an organic biocide treatment system.

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE IN DURABILITY BETWEEN Bodyguard^® PRODUCTS AND OTHER COATED UNTREATED PRODUCTS?

Bodyguard^® products are pressure treated to achieve 100% sapwood penetration with a wood preservative that is effective against both fungi (rot) and insects (termites). Hence the underlying wood material in Bodyguard^® is resistant to degradation.

WHERE DOES THE WOOD COME FROM?

Bodyguard^® products are manufactured from New Zealand radiata pine grown in tree farmed forests.

WHAT IS IN Bodyguard^® WOOD?

Bodyguard^® products are treated with an organic wood preservative based on three active ingredients, tebuconazole, propiconazole and permethrin. The minimum retentions are:

• Tebuconazole. 0.03 % mass of ingredient/mass of ovendry wood substance.
• Propiconazole. 0.03 % mass of ingredient/mass of ovendry wood substance.
• Permethrin. 0.02 % mass of ingredient/mass of oven-dry wood substance.

WHAT DO THESE ACTIVE INGREDIENTS DO?

Tebuconazole and propiconazole are fungicides that control wood-destroying fungi. Permethrin is an insecticide that controls wood, destroying borers and termites.

WHERE ELSE ARE THESE ACTIVE INGREDIENTS USED?

All are used for other wood protection applications, but in addition their uses are:

• Tebuconazole. A systemic fungicide with USA Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) approval for use on grapes, wheat, barley, oats, bananas, cherries, peaches, nectarines, peanuts.
• Propiconazole. A systemic fungicide with USA EPA approval for use on food crops e.g. cereals, bananas, coffee, peanuts, stone fruit, corn, pineapples, and cherries.
• Permethrin. A USA EPA-approved insecticide found insuch products as fly sprays, head lice shampoos, and used to provide insect control for stored fruits and grains.

WHAT ELSE IS IN THE WOOD?

The preservative formulation includes water repellent components (paraffin wax, hydrocarbon resin and stearyl laurate) dissolved in a low boiling point hydrocarbon solvent.

WILL PRESERVATIVES LEACH FROM Bodyguard^® WOOD?

The organic biocides used in the Bodyguard^® process are insoluble in water; any potential for leaching is further reduced by the product being painted.

ARE THERE ANY EMISSIONS TO AIR FROM Bodyguard^® PRODUCTS?

When freshly treated, minor quantities of the hydrocarbon solvent may evaporate from the ventilated wood. This will cease within days of being exposed to good drying conditions.

WHAT HANDLING PRECAUTIONS SHOULD I TAKE WHEN HANDLING Bodyguard^® PRODUCTS?

As with all wood products, we recommend wearing leather gloves when working with Bodyguard^® products. Wear a dust mask and eye protection when using woodworking machinery. See the Material Safety Data Sheet for more details.

ARE Bodyguard^® PRODUCTS SAFE TO HANDLE?

The treated wood is supplied in a form that is safe to handle. Like all wood products we recommend wearing leather gloves as a standard safety precaution. The active ingredients are all approved for use on food crops. The preservative system has been specifically approved for this application by the USA EPA.

WHERE CAN I USE Bodyguard^® PRODUCTS?

The preservative system is intended to protect the wood in above ground, exposed applications, for example in door and window frames, siding and other exposed millwork and trimboard. The products must not be used in ground contact. Bodyguard^® is designed for a non-structural application unless otherwise specified.

CAN Bodyguard^® BE USED INDOORS?

Bodyguard^® is safe for indoor use, as well as exterior (above ground only).

IS THE PRODUCT WARRANTED?

Yes, Bodyguard^® products are supported by a 30-year limited warranty against decay and insect attack. See the Bodyguard^® 30-Year Limited Warranty for details.

HOW LONG WILL Bodyguard^® PRODUCTS LAST?

Bodyguard^® products are warranted for 30 years against decay and insect (termite) attack, but based on experience and tests over a number of years in Europe, Australia and New Zealand it is expected that the service life would be of the order of 40 years. Service life will depend on keeping paint coatings in good order and following recommended installation instructions with regard to end-sealing.

HOW DO YOU KNOW THE TREATED WOOD WILL RESIST ROTTING?

The preservative formulations used in Bodyguard^® products have been commercially used in the United Kingdom for many years. New Zealand radiata pine treated with these preservatives has been tested under extreme conditions by the New Zealand Forest Research Institute and been found to provide excellent resistance to decay.

WHY DO I HAVE TO USE A PRESERVATIVE ON CUT ENDS OF Bodyguard^® PRODUCTS?

While the Bodyguard^® treatment process achieves 100% sapwood penetration, the heartwood penetration can be variable. Bodyguard^® products are made from New Zealand radiata pine that has a low heartwood content. However if cutting or re-machining there is a slight risk that some untreated heartwood could be exposed. For this reason a brush-on or spray-on preservative containing zinc naphthenate should be used to provide additional protection. Bodyguard^® End Seal is recommended for this purpose.

IS MAINTENANCE REQUIRED?

Like all wood products, the long-term appearance and performance of Bodyguard^® products can be extended through the use of a well-maintained paint coating, including regular washing. Refer to your paint supplier for recommendations.

ARE Bodyguard^® WOOD PRODUCTS MADE FROM SOLID WOOD?

Bodyguard^® products are manufactured from finger-jointed solid New Zealand radiata pine.

WHAT IS FINGER-JOINTING?

Finger-jointing refers to a method of cutting out defects, like knots and resin pockets, then joining the remaining clear pieces of wood to make long lengths of clear, straight wood. The resulting joints are stronger than the wood around them, and the adhesive is unaffected by moisture.

WHAT FASTENERS SHOULD I USE FOR Bodyguard^® PRODUCTS?

The use of Bodyguard^® product outdoors means that corrosion resistant fasteners should be specified, for example, hot-dipped galvanised nails or stainless steel. The Bodyguard^® preservative system does not create any additional corrosion risk.

WILL Bodyguard^® PRODUCT SHRINK OR SWELL IN SERVICE?

Bodyguard^® products are supplied in a kiln-dried form at around 10-15% moisture content. However like all wood products Bodyguard^® will experience some dimensional change with changes in moisture content. To minimize dimensional change users should strictly adhere to the product storage guidelines and the painting recommendations.

ARE Bodyguard^® SIDINGS APPROVED TO CALIFORNIA WILDFIRE URBAN INTERFACE BUILDING STANDARDS?

Yes, 10 siding profiles have been approved. In addition our T&G profiles have been approved for use under eaves.

CAN Bodyguard^® BE USED IN STRUCTURAL SITUATIONS?

The current standard Bodyguard^® range is non-structural. For structural solutions please contact Bodyguard^® directly with your requirements.

CAN I PAINT Bodyguard^® WITH DARK COLOURS?

We recommend Bodyguard^® is painted with colours that have a Light Reflectance Value (LRV) of 45 - 100 (100 being pure white). Colours with a LRV of 44 to 0 (0 being pure black) progressively generate extreme surface heat when exposed to direct sunlight. Over time this heat can cause resin bleed, shrinkage, distortion and cracking and will also reduce the service life of the paint coatings.