How necessary is pressure-impregnated wood?
One Playhouse or a Climbing frame in your own garden provides a lot of fun for the little ones. Made of wood, it is easy to assemble and set up. It is often pressure-impregnated wood used to extend the life of the natural raw material. But what seems advantageous at first glance significant disadvantages . We at Karibu explain what is behind it and what alternative we can offer you with our natural products - so that you can let your children play carefree and safely.
What is KDI?
As a KDI pressure-impregnated woods are referred to as boiler pressure impregnated woods. The process of boiler pressure impregnation is a chemical wood preservation process to protect the wood from wood-decomposing pests and extend its durability outdoors. But how is pressure-impregnated wood made? Even though there are many variants of boiler pressure impregnation, the basic principle is always the same: through a vacuum created in a boiler, the moisture escapes from the wood, into which it is then Wood preservative salts pressed into it . In this way, the pressure-impregnated wood is protected against insects and fungi after a fixing period. But unfortunately not without disadvantages.
Painting pressure-impregnated wood? - If so, how?
The main effect of boiler pressure impregnation is the Protection against insects and fungal infestation , but not against the strongest influencing factors such as sun and wetness. Pressure-impregnated wood must therefore also be post-treated, which saves you neither work nor costs. If you want to paint pressure-impregnated wood, only Highly opaque colours is recommended, as the coloring is difficult to cover up due to boiler pressure impregnation. Glazes in which the beautiful grain of the wood remains visible are therefore
Disadvantages of pressure impregnation - Is pressure impregnated wood toxic?
Boiler pressure impregnation allows Salt efflorescence on wood resulting from a reaction of the resins from the wood with the copper salts of impregnation. You should keep in mind that the salts used in pressure impregnation are chemical. They contain active ingredients that are toxic to pests and also have a problematic effect on humans. For example, some of these substances can be Triggering allergies , others are even given a carcinogenic side effect . Therefore, old outdated playhouses made of KDI wood cannot simply be burned in the garden, as highly toxic smoke gases would be formed. The question of the correct disposal of hazardous waste therefore arises additionally.
KDI disadvantages at a glance
- Pressure-impregnated wood is Not permanently protected against the weather
- KDI wood can only be treated with strong opaque paints
- Chemical substances are used in boiler pressure impregnation
- Wood salts trigger allergies and can have carcinogenic side effects
- KDI Holz is not environmentally friendly and must be disposed of as hazardous waste
Pressure-impregnated wood for children's playground equipment – is it necessary?
Children love colours and want a colourful play environment. Bright colors stimulate the imagination and mind and provide variety in the game. The natural colour of wood in children's playground equipment therefore provides moderate pleasure. One advantage: By treating the wood with paints, you make your children's playground equipment durable. Karibu therefore relies on natural Spruce wood that you can use thanks to the Colour system with eight colors - together with your little ones - Paint individually . This is how you extend the life of the outdoor playground equipment – completely without toxic chemicals . Because the safety of children is important to us, which is why Karibu does not offer any products made of pressure-impregnated wood with the new collection. Karibu is thus contributing to the Environmental compatibility and dispenses with printing processes with wood salts. So you can Quality, sustainability and safety from a single source – for the well-being of your children. In our assortment you will find a large selection of Climbing frames and playhouses made of natural wood . With additions such as slides and swings or sandpits, you can create a very individual playground that lures your children outdoors.
Alternative to pressure-impregnated wood
We at Karibu have removed all children's play products made of pressure-impregnated wood from the range and replaced them with natural spruce wood. This gives you the good feeling of knowing which wood your children will come into contact with. How do you make your Children's play equipment can also be maintained without pressure impregnation? It's easy! With our Colors from the paint system, which is highly opaque and free of harmful substances are. This means that there are no limits to your ideas and the safety of your children is guaranteed. This is because the paints are made on the basis of natural oils and are saliva and sweat resistant according to DIN EN 71-3 (saliva leak test). In addition, they produce a weather-resistant, highly water-repellent and open-pored coating that permanently protects the wood of the playground equipment from UV radiation.