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Bodyguard is a range of premier finger-jointed New Zealand radiata pine trimboard, siding and moulding products that adds a superior quality of finish and appearance to your home.

Bodyguard wood products are manufactured by Taranakipine, from clean, green New Zealand radiata pine. These trees are grown in well-managed tree-farm forests.

New Zealand radiata pine has unique properties among what are called ‘softwood’ species. It accepts the preservative treatment process very well, so the wood can be totally protected by the treatment system in an environmentally friendly way. Bodyguard’s durability makes it a sustainable choice too. The lifespan of Bodyguard wood products is longer than time required to grow, and harvest, a radiata pine tree.

Yes, Bodyguard wood products are supported by a 30-year limited warranty against decay and insect attack. See the Bodyguard 30-Year Limited Warranty for details.

Bodyguard is designed for non-structural application (so don’t use it as an alternative to framing timber to hold up the house). It can be used in exterior above ground applications such as siding or trimboard. Or inside, as door and window frames, and trim. Bodyguard isn’t designed to be used in contact with the ground, so make sure there is at least 6” of clearance between the board and the ground when you install it.

Bodyguard products are warranted for 30 years against decay and insect (termite) attack. In the US, Bodyguard products have been tested in market for over 20 years, but based on experience and tests over a number of years in Europe, Australia and New Zealand the service life often extends beyond 30 years. The better Bodyguard products are maintained, the longer they will last; so keep paint coatings in good order and follow recommended installation instructions with regard to end sealing.

Bodyguard’s carbon-based protection system is applied under pressure so the treatment penetrates deep into the timber.
The three ‘active ingredients’ in the protection system are known as Light Organic Solvent-borne Preservatives (LOSPs). These are Tebuconazole, Propiconazole and Permethrin. Tebuconazole and Propiconazole are used to control wood-destroying funghi and Permethrin protects against borer and termites.

Finger-jointing is a method used to remove defects from timber boards. Wood is scanned and defects are cut out, so there are no knots or other undesirable flaws which might weaken the timber. The desirable clear wood is then reassembled using finger-type joints and then bonded together with a water repellent polyurethane adhesive. These joints are extremely strong and reliable.

Bodyguard is protected by a proven pressure treatment that achieves total penetration of the sapwood. This wood preservative is effective against attack from both fungi (rot) and insects (termites). The timber treatment, combined with a paint system, means that Bodyguard has long term protection from degradation.

We recommend Bodyguard is painted with colors that have a Light Reflectance Value (LRV) of 45-100 (100 being pure white). Colours with a LRV of 44 to 0 (0 being pure black) progressively generate extreme surface heat when exposed to direct sunlight. Over time this heat can cause resin bleed, shrinkage, distortion and cracking and will also reduce the service life of the paint coatings.

The current standard Bodyguard range is non-structural. For structural solutions please contact Bodyguard directly with your requirements.

As with all wood products, we recommend wearing leather gloves when working with Bodyguard products. Wear a dust mask and eye protection when using woodworking machinery.

Bodyguard products are safe to handle. The active ingredients in Bodyguard’s treatment system are all approved for use on food crops. The USA EPA has specifically approved the preservative system for this application.

Prior to going to site, Bodyguard product should be stored with its plastic packaging intact, within a weather protected area.

On a job site product should be kept under cover and away from the ground. Learn more about how to store your Bodyguard product.

Whilst there is no risk of corrosion to fasteners from the carbon-based biocide in Bodyguard’s preservative system. When used outdoors, corrosion resistant fasteners should be specified, such as hot-dipped galvanised nails or stainless steel.

Like all wood products, the long-term appearance and performance of Bodyguard products can be extended through regular painting and washing. Refer to your paint supplier for suitable coatings.

Yes. Bodyguard wood products are supplied in a kiln-dried form at around 10-15% moisture content. However, like all wood products, Bodyguard will expand and contract with changes in moisture content. Strict adherence to the product storage guidelines and the painting recommendations will minimize this.

Yes, 10 siding profiles have been approved. In addition our T&G profiles have been approved for use under eaves. See our Fire Approval page for more detail.

Yes. When packaging is removed it is possible that an odour from treatment and paint solvent may be detectable.  With ventilation the odour will disappear within days.

No. The carbon-based biocides used in the Bodyguard treatment process do not dissolve in water. Any potential for leaching is further reduced by painting the product.

The preservative formulations used in Bodyguard products have been commercially used in the United Kingdom for many years. It also has a successful 30-year history of durable use in New Zealand and Australia and continues to be the treatment of choice for products and profiles similar to Bodyguard.

New Zealand radiata pine treated with these preservatives has been tested under extreme conditions by the New Zealand Forest Research Institute and been found to provide excellent resistance to decay.

The minimum ‘retentions’ are:

• Tebuconazole. 0.03 % mass of ingredient/mass of oven-dry wood substance.
• Propiconazole. 0.03 % mass of ingredient/mass of oven-dry wood substance.
• Permethrin. 0.02 % mass of ingredient/mass of oven-dry wood substance.