After extensive research with experts in the field of wood, Taïga Zone decided to makes its pools out of pine. The main reasons for choosing pine are:
its strength, the highest of all softwoods;
its durability, making it very resistant to wear;
its ability to hold nails and fasteners, the best of all softwoods;
its treatability, as the unique cellular structure of pine allows for deep and consistent penetration of preserving treatments which renders the wood useless as a food source for fungi, termites and micro-organisms.
We also relied on history. For centuries, pine has been the preferred marine construction material. Its performance in waterfront applications has been well documented, performance that has continued to improve over the years with advances in preserving treatments as well as better design and construction techniques. Pine has been and continues to be used for a wide range of residential and commercial applications, including docks, piers, boardwalks, decks and marinas.
Finally, pine met two additional very important requirements: a beautiful rustic color for a natural integration into the backyard; and a reasonable price in order for the Taïga Zone pools to be affordable to consumers.
All these characteristics placed pine well above the others species available and the performance of Taïga Zone pools under every weather condition imaginable – from the coldest climate to the warmest and from extreme humidity to absolute drought – has proven, since 1999, that pine was the right choice.
ARSENIC-FREE TREATMENT
In early 2002, there was extensive coverage in U.S. and Canadian newspapers regarding the potential risks of CCA-treated lumber because of the arsenic component therein, which is classified as a human carcinogen. Although there has not been any conclusive study on the extent of the potential cancer risks from exposure to CCA-treated lumber, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the wood-preserving industry reached a phase-out agreement that would eliminate the use of CCA-treated lumber.
As soon as Taïga Zone became aware of the potential health risks associated with the use of CCA, the company started looking for alternatives. In early 2002, we started the transition to the ACQ treatment, which does not contain arsenic, chromium (another carcinogen found in CCA) or other hazardous chemicals, but still provides a long-term protection from rot, decay and termites that is equivalent to the protection obtained from the CCA treatment.
As a result, Taïga Zone pools have been made with pine treated with ACQ, the above-mentioned arsenic-free and chromium-free treatment, and not with CCA.
CEDAR OPTION
As an option to pine, we are offering pools made of cedar, one of the most beautiful wood species in the world. In addition, cedar does not need any treatment for protection against rot, decay or termites.
