Answers
General
Here are answers to some general questions you may have about Bodyguard®.
What is Bodyguard?
Bodyguard is a range of premier finger-jointed New Zealand radiata pine trimboard, siding and moulding products that adds a superior quality of finish and appearance to your home.
Where does the wood come from?
Bodyguard wood products are manufactured from clean, green New Zealand radiata pine. These trees are grown in well-managed tree-farm forests.
What’s so special about the wood?
New Zealand radiata pine has unique properties among what are called ‘softwood’ species. It accepts the preservative treatment process very well, so the wood can be totally protected by the protection system in an environmentally friendly way. Its durability makes it a sustainable choice too, because Bodyguard wood products last longer than it takes for the trees to grow to replace it.
Is Bodyguard warranted?
Yes, Bodyguard wood products are supported by a 30-year limited warranty against decay and insect attack, that’s how confident you can be using it. See the Bodyguard 30-Year Limited Warranty for details.
Where can I use Bodyguard?
Bodyguard is designed for non-structural application (so don’t use it to hold up the house). It can be used above ground or inside, as door and window frames, sidings and trimboard. Bodyguard isn’t designed to be used in contact with the ground, so make sure there is at least 6” of clearance between the board and the ground when you install it.
How long will Bodyguard products last?
Bodyguard wood 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 the service life often extends beyond 30 years. The better Bodyguard products are maintained, the longer they will last; so keep paint coatings in good order and follow recommended installation instructions with regard to end sealing.
What’s so good about Bodyguard’s protection system?
A couple of things are worth remembering:
Bodyguard’s carbon-based protection system is applied under pressure so the protectant penetrates very deeply through the wood.
The three ‘active ingredients’ in the protection system are known as Light Organic Solvent-borne Preservatives (LOSPs). These are Tebuconazole and Propiconazole and Permethrin. The first two, Tebuconazole and Propiconazole are used to control wood-destroying funghi and Permethrin destroys borer and termites.
What’s finger-jointing – and why is it a good thing?
Okay. Finger-jointing is a method used to cut out defects, so there are no knots or resin residues which might weaken the timber. Once those are cut out, long pieces of clean wood are then interlocked using finger-type joints and then bonded together with a water repellent adhesive. These joints are extremely strong.
What is the difference in durability between Bodyguard products and other wood products on the market?
Bodyguard is protected by a proven pressure treatment that achieves total (100%) penetration of the sapwood. This wood preservative is effective against both fungi (rot) and insects (termites), so the underlying wood material in Bodyguard is resistant to degradation.