Home Improvement Stack Exchange
Home Improvement Stack Exchange

Questions tagged [pressure-treated]

Wood that has been treated to resist rot and insects, and thus can be used outdoors. Use in conjunction with questions about the wood and its uses. Please include any relevant project tags as well (such as [fence] or [deck])

Pressure treated wood resists rotting and insects, making it ideal for outdoor projects like fencing() and decks().

Because the wood is acidic, special fasteners must be used. Fasteners should be one of the following type

  • Galvanized (almost exclusively nails)
  • Coated (mostly screws)
  • Stainless steel (always screws)
93 questions
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Are pressure-treated posts that have been submerged for a few days ruined?

I dug holes for four 8' 4x4 posts, and had the posts positioned and plumbed vertically in the holes, but had to leave for a couple days before I could concrete them in. In the meantime, storms came and filled the holes. The ends of the posts have…
Kerry Thomas
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Should I let pressure treated lumber dry before building with it?

I bought some treated 2x4's from Lowes, and it was fairly wet and heavy. I went ahead and built a firewood rack, but screwing into it releases a lot of water. It got me thinking, is it better to let the wood dry out a while before building with…
TheSean
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Pressure Treated wood joists rotten or just aged

The contractor I hired is using these PT Douglas Fir joists. They look old. he says they are structurally sound just discolored. I took a screwdriver and poked the joist and it did not sink in at all. very hard. he said he is going to cut off the…
Cecilia
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How can I build a long lasting low maintenance fence?

I'm needing to replace a blown down fence, and have been seeking advice and quotes from fencing contractors. There seem to be two conflicting schools of thought. One contractor advises that using pressure treated timber posts concreted into the…
Samuel Jack
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1 answer

Should I powerwash and waterseal a pressure treated deck?

Is there any maintenance that I should be doing such as yearly power-washing and water-sealing for a pressure treated deck?
Michael Pryor
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1 answer

How can I join 2x6 pressure treated wood for a shed base?

I am creating a wood frame for my Suncast Sierra shed. I already weighed the pros and cons of each option for a base and came out with a wood frame as the most economical with all factors considered. That being said, I am following the documentation…
Anthony Greco
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2 answers

Can cutting pressure treated wood harm my saw blade?

Should I take time to clean my circular saw blade after cutting pressure treated lumber? Since fasteners other than stainless steel or galvanized can corrode when used in pressure treated wood, is it going to cause my blade to corrode? Or is it only…
Doresoom
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What type of lag bolts should I use for a deck?

I am looking at galvanized lag bolts (for the ledger) and carriage bolts (for attaching the beam to the post) for a deck. I can't find "hot-dipped galvanized" bolts/lag screws only galvanized. Is there any difference between "hot-dipped galvanized"…
Michael
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How should I paint cedar and pressure-treated pine?

I recently built a fence from white cedar (pickets) and pressure-treated pine (posts and rails). I have been told that I need to wait before painting or staining the fence in order to give the cedar oil and treatment a chance to dry out, but how…
Vebjorn Ljosa
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What kind of screws in to pressure treated plywood?

I am making hurricane panels for my house using the technique described here. The plywood I purchased is pressure treated. The sliding bolts are zinc, so I assume the screws that came with them are also zinc. Is this ok, or should I be using…
longneck
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What nails to use for PT wood?

I'm re-framing my first floor and using PT wood everywhere where there is a possibility of area being flooded. PT wood is your typical 2x4(s) from Home Depot MCA - micronized copper azole chemicals. I guess I've never realized that PT lumber is…
Dannyboy
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Is it important to use special fasteners in treated wood for non-structural applications?

I'm getting ready to install under-floor insulation in my yurt platform. These are 2" x 4' x 8' foam panels under a 1 1/8" plywood floor, between 4" x 6" 0.40 ACQ pressure treated joists. The foam panels will be held in place with lathe strips…
Jay Bazuzi
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Should I use pressure-treated wood for a firewood shed?

Should I use treated wood or not? Is it preferred to use treated lumber for the studs and plywood for a firewood shed? Is there a reason not to use treated wood?
Brad Tombs
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Should I apply termite preventative products to pressure treated wood?

There are pressure treated (4"x4") fence posts (set in concrete) nearby to a house. In that area there were previously termites (professionally treated in-ground). This is in a humid region, along the Ohio River (USA) valley. Is it desirable to…
Kris K.
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How long will a treated post last in the ground?

The power company says I can put my permanent service entrance on a 6" x 6" pressure treated post. My friend suggested I consider a metal post sunk in concrete, for greater longevity. How long should I expect a treated post to last in the…
Jay Bazuzi
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