Abstract: The present invention features a single aqueous solution that imparts acceptable levels of water resistance, fire resistance, mold resistance and pest resistance to wood, and which may be used in standard wood treatment techniques commonly utilized in the wood treatment industry. The aqueous solution contains a fire retardant, an insect and termite repellant, a mold inhibitor and a pH buffer.

Abstract: The present invention features a single aqueous solution that imparts acceptable levels of water resistance, fire resistance, mold resistance and pest resistance to wood, and which may be used in standard wood treatment techniques commonly utilized in the wood treatment industry. In one preferred embodiment, the aqueous solution comprises a fire retardant, preferably sodium metasilicate nonahydrate (about 5% to 30% by mass), an insect and termite repellant, preferably sodium tetraborate decahydrate, also known as borax, (about 1.5% to 9% by mass), a mold inhibitor, preferably thymol (about 0.01% to 0.1% by mass) or ethanolamine (about 0.5% to 20% by mass), and a pH buffer, preferably sodium carbonate (about 1% to 10% by mass). It is believed that the borate/silicate components polymerize upon drying, and become water insoluble, which in turn prevents leaching and provides water repellent characteristics to the wood after treatment.