Leading manufacturer of total ground-line barrier sleeves, Postsaver, is proud to announce outstanding results following a 25-year field test conducted by the BRE (Building Research Establishment), Europe’s largest independent timber testing organisation.
Using the rigorous methodology outlined in EN252:2014 - the European Standard for evaluating the effectiveness of wood preservatives in ground contact – researchers found that Postsaver’s dual-layer ground-line barrier sleeves, when used with a mild dip preservative treatment, showed zero failures after nearly 25 years of continuous in-ground exposure—proving to be a highly effective solution for long-term timber protection.
The field test compared various treatment methods:
- Preservative dip treated stakes: These started to decay after 3 years of field testing
- Preservative dip treated stakes fitted with Postsaver sleeves: These samples had not failed after 25 years of field testing.
“This is a major milestone for us,” said Richard George, CEO of Postsaver. “To see our product perform so well under long-term, independent scrutiny validates everything we’ve worked toward. It proves that the combination of preservative protection and a total barrier sleeve significantly increases the life of timber products used in ground contact whilst reducing the environmental impact of fencing.”
He added: “We believe these findings will help open new doors for collaboration within the wood protection industry and inspire greater confidence in wood as a long-lasting, sustainable construction material. As alternative post and pole materials continue to gain market share in all the markets we operate in, it's crucial we offer the assurance of durability as well as promoting the environmental benefits to ensure that wood remains the material of choice for a range of applications including, fencing, fruit supports and utility poles”
The BRE used its Notional Mean Decay Rating (NMDR) system—a visual inspection methodology defined in EN252—to assess performance. Postsaver’s protected stakes achieved superior results. All test stakes have since been returned to the field for possible future monitoring, further underlining Postsaver’s commitment to ongoing product verification.
For over 30 years, Postsaver has delivered proven, environmentally conscious solutions that maximise the lifespan of wood in ground contact. The company’s Pro-Wrap and Pro-Sleeve products come with a 20-year post replacement guarantee, while its longer Pro-Wrap +PLUS barrier sleeve offers 40 years post replacement guarantee at similar cost to creosote treated posts. The company's heavy duty Polesaver sleeves are used in over 35 countries to provide protection to utility poles used in critical power distribution and telecom networks.
