[Cob] Glass impregnated wood timbers

[ocean]

Yep, it's water glass, Sodium Silicate.

BTW, I suspect it would be important to wear a respirator when cutting 
or sanding this product, lest one inhale microscopic glass crystals.

Ocean Liff-Anderson
_____

Steward, Ahimsa Sanctuary  http://www.peacemaking.org
Proprietor, Intaba's Kitchen  http://www.intabas.com


On Nov 15, 2005, at 4:50 AM, Mark Piepkorn wrote:

>
>>> Joyce  wrote:
>>> Does anyone have any information or web sites to reference about a  
>>> new
>>> timber product I saw on TV (This Old House maybe). The timbers were
>>> coated
>>> with a glass product of some type, heated to a point where the glass
>>> melted
>>> into the wood and provided a protective coating that could be  
>>> stained -
>
>
> http://www.buildinggreen.com/auth/productDetail.cfm?productId=2743
>
> TimberSIL Nontoxic Pressure-Treated Wood
> TimberSIL is a sodium-silicate-based pressure-treatment system for 
> wood that relies on a mineralization process rather than toxins to 
> prevent infestations and decay. The patented chemistry and 
> heat-treatment process result in the infusion of microscopic glass 
> "crystals" throughout the wood, providing a permanent, insoluble 
> treatment with no dusting or leaching. The treated wood is odorless 
> and nonvolatile, is not corrosive to fasteners, does not cause 
> excessive wear on tools, and typically has a brown color to 
> distinguish it from other treated-wood products. Standard TimberSIL 
> treated wood carries a 40-year warranty for interior use and up to one 
> year of outdoor exposure; TimberSIL Plus carries a 40-year warranty 
> for outdoor applications, including ground contact. As of October 
> 2004, this new product is not yet listed with the International Code 
> Council; approval for use is granted by local jurisdictions.