We have been conditioned to believe that metal is stronger and more lasting than wood. In some cases that is true. Wooden skyscrapers do not work well. However, in other cases, wood lasts longer than metal.
Metal corrodes in the presence of moisture. The water draws ions out of the iron and forms rust. This rust further degrades and flakes off. If enough of this occurs, the metal becomes weak and fails. This is a problem in a house, but is a worse problem for something such as a bridge or pier. Metal can be galvanized to resist rust. Paint helps protect metal, too, which is why ships are constantly being painted to keep them in good shape.
Wood may have some faults, but rusting is not one of them. Actually, in the proper environment, wood can last a thousand or more years. That is how old some of the pilings around the old London Bridge were before it was removed for a more modern structure.
Wood excels when building in coastal areas with constant salt spray. The sticky feeling one gets at the beach is the salt deposit left on your skin by the spray. Imagine the buildings being bathed in that all the time. It is very corresive.
Rot resistant wood such as deadhead sinker cypress or African mahogany really excel in this situation. They last a long time and continue to look appealing even after years of salt spray. African teak also works very well in this situation. Teak used to be used to build ships because it could cope with the salt spray so well.
Of course, you do not have to be in a corrosive environment to use wood. It just helps to know wood is around if you need it. To discuss your building needs or place an order, give us a call today.
