Which wood treatment method increases the penetration of preservatives?

The method that increases the penetration of preservatives is incising. This technique involves making small cuts or grooves in the wood surface, which allows preservatives to penetrate more deeply into the wood fibers. By creating these openings, the overall surface area available for the preservative to fill is increased, thus enhancing the treatment’s effectiveness.

Incising is particularly useful for species of wood that are generally hard or dense, where preservatives may struggle to penetrate sufficiently. This method is strategically employed in wood preservation to improve the longevity and durability of the wood by ensuring that preservatives can reach deeper areas where decay and insect damage might otherwise occur.

Other methods listed, like pulsating, boiling, and pressure treating, serve different functions in the treatment process. While pressure treating does enhance penetration overall, particularly when using a vacuum or pressure system to force preservatives into wood, incising specifically focuses on increasing the access points for deeper penetration, making it the most effective for this particular purpose.