During the refurbishment process many of the wood components are now being replaced. Wood is a variable natural element whose structural properties change over time from weather exposure. Many of the wooden crossarms in used in NZ are 30 to 50 years old and are in varying stages of degradation. The costs of cross arm failure in monetary terms and customer ire are both high. Steel crossarms provide a reliable means of reducing this risk — particularly in light of the increased demands being imposed by regulators and customers for improved reliability.