What is Pressure Treated Wood?
Pressure treated wood is wood that has undergone a process to make it more durable so that it is not susceptible to rot, termites, or fungus. Pressure treated wood is used for a variety of applications ranging from outdoor decking, utility poles, bridges, to docks. Pressure treated wood is definitely the best choice for outdoor carpentry projects such as decks, tree houses, garages and sheds.
What is Involved in the Pressure Treating Process?
The process of pressure treating wood is straight forward. Large amounts of wood first get treated with chemical preservatives. The wood is then placed in a huge cylindrical chamber called a retort. There is a door on one end that can be sealed airtight. Waterborne chemicals are then forced into the wood under pressure. The pressure forces the chemicals deep into the wood, which then becomes a barrier against termites and decay. Pressure treated wood can last for almost 40 years.
Does Pressure Treated Wood Prevent Water Damage?
Pressure treated wood does not prevent against water damage. It only protects against rot and termites. Some treated wood is produced with built-in water repellent. It is usually marked on the wood as to whether or not the treatment included a water repellent. Wood that has been treated with a water repellant still needs to be checked for cracking and warping and does not prevent all water related damage. To help prevent water damage, apply a water repellant to the deck (or other wood structure), once a year.
Other Advantages of Pressure Treated Wood:
- Highly durable
- Easy to work with
- Available at most lumber yards
- Inexpensive.
It’s estimated that more than 80% of all U.S. decks are built entirely or partially with preserved wood (source: Decks.com). Pressure treated wood is almost always usually used for posts, beams, and joists because of its structural strength and ability to withstand deterioration in ground contact.
Speak to a local carpenter about using pressure treated wood for your next carpentry project.
