ABSTRACT
Wood, if kept dry, is an extremely durable material. Untreated wood will, however, if it becomes wet be rapidly degraded by fungi and sometimes also by bacteria. In wood constructions the most severe damage is caused by brown rot fungi, but white rot and soft rot fungi may also cause considerable strength reductions.
The characteristic features of each decay type as well as possibilities to prevent degradation are presented.
Durability of wood, treated or untreated, is studied in field tests and tests conducted in the laboratory. Advantages and disadvantages with different test methods are discussed in the paper.
