If anyone talks about “pressure-treated cedar” they more likely either mean plain cedar or PT with a cedar “tone”. It contains natural oils and tannins that make it naturally resistant to both termites and carpenter ants.
Which Pressure Treated Wood is Best for Resisting Insects?Ĭedar has always resisted insects naturally. Sunlight and water present the biggest factors affecting the lifespan of pressure-treated lumber and wood. Fortunately, CCA still remains in play for non-residential use.Įventually, all wood breaks down. That’s a problem since the entire reason we use pressure-treated lumber is to make sure what we build lasts longer. In our experience, PT disintegrates a lot more quickly as a result. They introduced other options for pressure treated lumber including alkaline copper quat (ACQ) and copper azole (CA). However, in late 2003, the EPA made some changes to keep your kids’ playset and your front porch swing a little less toxic. Wait… arsenic? Sounds like something you really want to spend time swinging on, huh?
That’s chemistry-speak for chromium, copper, and…arsenic. What Chemicals are in Pressure Treated Wood?Ĭlassic pressure treated lumber makes use of CCA-chromated copper arsenate. We prefer kiln-dried pressure-treated wood in most cases. When the wood requires the extra step of kiln drying, the price goes up accordingly. However, a better process involves using a kiln to bake it. The treated wood can air dry in most cases. Adding pressure to the mix forces the chemical treatment deeper into the wood than it could go with simple soaking. That pressurized stage is where the process “pressure-treated” gets its name. This provides long-lasting protection against rot, decay, and insect damage. Under these conditions, a preservative solution penetrates or absorbs deep into the wood fibers. They then place it back under high pressure. They vacuum out the air and add chemicals. Manufacturers pressure treat wood by placing it into a large cylinder or chamber. Manufacturers add small incisions or tiny markings all over them designed to help the chemicals permeate the surface into the wood. Some wood, like Douglas fir, doesn’t readily absorb chemicals as easily as southern yellow pine.That includes 4×4 fence posts, floor joists, decking, fencing, etc.
#Do you need pressure treated wood if you paint it how to#
If you want to know how to tell if wood is pressure treated you have several ways of doing so:
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