When it comes to outdoor structures such as fences and garden sheds, pressure treated wood is a popular material choice.

PT wood (sometimes referred to as Plywood) consists of lumber composed of pine, spruce or fir that has undergone a chemical treatment process designed to resist fungi, mold and insects.

Cost

Pressure treated wood can be an economical building material when exposed to the elements on an ongoing basis, particularly patios, decks, pergolas, sheds and fences. Its durability provides protection from rot and insect damage compared to untreated lumber while its resistance to weathering and staining make it perfect for outdoor projects such as patios, decks, pergolas sheds and fences. Furthermore, treatment processes reduce costs for builders while providing more efficient utilization of wood materials.

Preservative-treated wood may initially cost more than other forms of lumber, but its long-term performance and low maintenance expenses more than make up for its higher initial outlay. Furthermore, its strength and durability make it a popular choice for decking applications, underground posts and subflooring in finished basements.

Non-pressure-treated wood alternatives for exterior building projects exist, but require regular upkeep for longevity. Common non-pressure processes include brushing or spraying, dipping, soaking or steeping to penetrate the fibers but don’t reach as far into them as pressure-treating does due to higher temperatures and more force applied during pressure application.

Modern treatment processes use safer chemical preservatives than those commonly employed in the past, like chromated copper arsenate treatments. Furthermore, pressure-treating utilizes all parts of a tree unlike other lumber treatments which often discard bark and unusable portions; both these factors result in more eco-friendly building practices and construction industries.

High moisture levels created during pressure-treating of wood can create swelling and delamination issues in damp environments where humidity or rainfall increases the moisture content of treated lumber after pressure treatment, particularly after pressure-treating pressure-treated boards with pressure sprayers. To protect homeowners against such complications, certain species require being kiln dried following pressure treatment processes – an added step which both increases processing costs for homeowners as well as time spent drying it in a kiln afterwards.

Treating lumber may take more effort, but its preservative treatment ensures that its preservatives penetrate deep into its fibers to make handling it simpler than natural timber. When working with any type of wood – particularly treated wood – all safety protocols should be observed to avoid exposure to airborne sawdust particles and chemicals that might linger after handling, which includes using a dust mask, protective eyewear and washing hands after each handling session.

Durability

Pressure treated wood is extremely resilient against rot, mold, insects, and environmental conditions; thus extending its lifespan and making projects simpler for homeowners. Furthermore, treated wood has less of a tendency to split or crack during its lifespan than natural wood does – making it suitable for outdoor construction projects such as decks and fences as well as landscaping applications like garden beds.

The treatment process is eco-friendly and uses various preservatives that penetrate deeply into the wood cells for effective preservation over time. There are various kinds of preservatives used in this process, each offering unique advantages depending on its chemical makeup; older treatments made use of chemicals like arsenic and copper while newer formulas tend to be safer for humans and the environment alike. When handling treated wood it’s essential that safety precautions such as wearing gloves, eye protection, and dust mask are observed when handling any form of treated material.

Pressure treating wood involves carefully controlled pressure and vacuum cycles in an enclosed cylinder, forcing preservatives into its cells where they bond with them chemically to resist decay and insect attack, then left to dry before being stored away for long-term storage. There are two primary pressure treating processes available – full-cell or empty-cell treatment processes; in the former both cell walls and lumens are filled with preservative, while empty-cell treatments aim to keep most of it within its cell walls for maximum effectiveness.

CCA has become the go-to preservative for pressure treated wood, yet some alternatives are becoming available. One such is sodium silicate which has proven an effective alternative and safe for human and environmental exposure.

Micronized Copper Azole (MCA), another alternative to CCA, features reduced volatile compounds than traditional treatments and requires no oily coating for safe application above- and below-ground and meets all building code requirements for corrosion resistance, insect deterrence and water penetration.

Weather Resistant

PT wood’s treatment process injects preservatives directly into its fibers, creating wood that is less vulnerable to moisture damage and pest infestation, making it an excellent choice for outdoor building projects such as decks, patios, fences and sheds. Furthermore, pergolas and gazebos can utilize it as they add unique designs with pergolas or gazebos that incorporate it. In addition to its resistance against weathering effects and insect damage as well as fungal growth resistance.

PT wood typically outlives naturally aged lumber due to its preservatives being more capable of resisting sun, wind and rain damage.

PT wood can also be treated to be fire retardant, making it an invaluable feature in structures located near bushfires or areas with potential risks of fire.

Home centers and lumberyards typically stock pre-treated wood with fireproof properties for ease of use in projects. When selecting lumber for use with your project, be mindful to choose the appropriate species – the preservative used will typically indicate which AWPA category it falls under; you can find this information attached to every piece.

No matter if you are using PT wood for your garden, backyard deck, shed or other structure – whether that be in your garden, backyard deck, shed or any other structure – following best practices is crucial in order to prolong its life. You should use nails made of stainless steel or hot-dipped galvanized nails in order to prevent corrosion while simultaneously upholding integrity of structure and sealing any cut ends to keep out moisture.

Owing to its higher price point, treated wood provides the ideal material for outdoor builds requiring fire and insect resistance. Westwood Millworks carries such products – offering fire-retardant wood for your next outdoor build!

Environmentally Friendly

Many homeowners and DIYers choose PT wood for outdoor construction projects due to its ability to withstand rot-proof, insect-resistant treatment as well as harsh weather conditions that would damage untreated lumber. Furthermore, its chemical preservatives force deep into its fibers make PT wood easier than raw wood to work with; however, its treatment process isn’t without environmental concerns; improper management could leach toxic substances into the soil or corrode metal fasteners used in its assembly.

Chemical treatments used for lumber treatment vary depending on their nature and environment; most treated lumber will last at least 20 years with regular application of water-repellant sealers and mildewcide cleaners used at first sign of mildew growth. To prolong its longevity, however, sealers with antimicrobial qualities can also help extend this timeline.

Most pressure treated wood comes from domestic hardwood species like southern yellow pine (SYP) and western red cedar, both of which have higher natural durability than varieties such as fir and spruce. SYP also tends to be more dimensionally stable than its domestic counterparts and makes building easier overall.

Pressure treatment utilizes high levels of water and chemical preservatives to force them into the cells of wood, pushing the chemicals deeper than ever before. Although different processes exist for treating wood with pressure treatments, most commonly copper quaternary (CA) or micronized copper azole (MCA). CCA is considered an environmentally preferable alternative to creosote and pentachlorophenol (“penta”) preservatives which both contribute more harmfully to our planet.

Chemical treatments to combat unwanted fungi and insects also help promote sustainability by optimizing resource usage. Indeed, they use all parts of a tree that are typically discarded during harvesting such as bark and non-usable log parts – an unprecedented feat!

As lumber purchased is wet when purchased, special care must be taken when working with it to safeguard both skin and air. Even after being kiln dried, treated wood may still absorb chemicals through its pores; gloves should therefore be worn when handling this material directly. Furthermore, until it has fully dried it’s wiser not to paint or stain this material as this will prevent chemicals from leaching out into paints or stains which could compromise them and potentially wreak havoc with these processes.