Pressure Treated Plywood vs Marine Plywood, Which One Do you Choose? If you are not a fan of the natural look of pressure treated wood then don´t worry, there are ways to give it some color. Isn't this a sign to not paint pressure-treated wood? But choosing between them can sometimes be difficult. That’s because pressure treated wood is great at resisting rot and wood-nesting bugs. Pressure-treated wood is the best material for outdoor construction such as benches, decks, pergolas, fences, and gates, as it has a long, useful life span that will beat all kinds of weather conditions and is much less costly than its alternative wooden construction material. Pressure-treated lumber has been treated with chemical preservatives to help prevent rot and insect damage. I'm well aware more now than 10 yrs ago or more that bleed through is going to occur. Carpenter ... it - if the water is absorbed, it’s ready to be painted. Grr. Initial costs for a similar deck with Azek decking would run about $24,000*. The treatment process forces a waterborne preservative deep into the cellular structure of the wood providing long-term protection against rot, fungal decay and termite attack. But the after effect of pressure-treating wood isn’t particularly pleasing to look at. Choosing the Right Type of Pressure Treated Wood. Wait several days and test it again. Pressure treated lumber products, such as YellaWood ® brand products, are treated in a pressurized cylinder. Some pressure treatments can even make the wood fire retardant. The treated wood can be painted or stained.Borate preservatives are salts such as sodium octabo-rate, sodium tetraborate, and sodium pentaborate thatare dissolved in water. It also comes in tint bases so you can match anything if you want to tie the fence color into house trim or something. It comes in factory colors including white. Pressure-treated wood can last more than forty years altogether. Borates are effective preserva-tives against decay fungi and insects. Wood treated with either copperazole formulation has a light brown color and little orno odor. Indoor wood being more in contact with humans and pets, it’s better to leave such wood untreated. 16 x 20 would run about $18,000*. All of them can be used for wooden fences by a Houston fence company and they all have their strengths. Also, you want to make sure you’re using the proper paint and primer when you’re painting pressure treated wood. If you are planning on investing in a Houston wood fence, you should know the difference between pressure-treated, green lumber and kiln-dried wood. Splash some water on the deck boards. He said yes. Once the wood feels dry to the touch, sprinkle a bit of water on it. He used pressure-treated lumbar from Home Depot and said this shed won't rot, no termites, no insects, last forever etc. When the water absorbs into the wood… It was still $300 for just the wood. Ouch! So we did a job that a General used pressure treated wood for the posts per customers request, that we painted white, (swiss coffee). Having read this article, you know that marine plywood is a more durable material than the pressure treated plywood. This retention rating is called PCF (PCF = pounds per cubic foot), and shows how much more a cubic foot of wood will weigh after it's treated,: For example a .25 PCF equates to weighing 1/4 lb heavier per cubic foot. As for paint or stain, semi-transparent or oil-based stains work best. The drying process for pressure treated wood can take a good deal longer than normal lumber. Pressure treated wood doesn’t show scratches as much as some composites and can easily be painted, patched, and made to match existing decking rather easily. Pressure-treated wood is normally made with yellow pine and coated with a chemical called chromated copper arsenate. Choose a translucent stain to imitate rich tropical hardwoods, or choose an opaque stain if you prefer a painted look. If the water beads up, go back to playing the waiting game. The pressure treated decking material shown above was replaced quickly with new Ipe decking. Overall, pressure treated lumber resists rot and insects; however, it … Eventually, the grain of pressure treated wood boards will become so open and porous that they will need to be replaced. Remember! Pressure-treated wood is not maintenance free and will not be protected from all conditions and pests. The pressure treated framing material was still in great condition. The general lifespan of a pressure treated wood deck is between ten to fifteen years. You can also replace a previous color with another one. Other parts of the country, may use other species of wood. Ugh, I wanted pressure treated so badly but DH went with regular as the lumber yard guy suggested it. Fasteners, Connectors, and Retention: Why You Should Hire a Service Professional. So, the question remains… is the #2 KD-HT, SPF acceptable to use for a deck? Can you paint pressure treated wood? Every wood has its advantages and disadvantages, and in some circumstances, you might even need to use both for your fence instead of just picking one. Lastly, pressure treated wood should be marked with CCA or ACQ from what we read. Pressure treated wood is more suitable for outdoors than indoors. At least we already have the stain. If time is an issue, use wood marked KDAT (kiln-dried after treatment). I'll just have to be diligent with keeping up with the stain. There are different types of pressure treated wood, all of which are useful for a variety of different projects. Lumber Moisture. Composite boards consist of sawdust, or wood flour, … Pressure Treated Wood Pros: Pressure Treated decks in many cases are a cost savings of over 50% compared to the alternative. Staining, Sealing and Painting Pressure Treated Wood Protect your investment. It’s important to finish typical pressure-treated wood as soon as possible after completion of a deck in order to protect it. Certain chemicals, such as the water-repellent CA-C (copper azole type C), also makes the wood suitable for ground contact, even in marine environments. These weather cycles can be tough on wood and can lead to splits, cracks, checks and other appearance issues. A choice of pressure treated wood vs redwood crosses the minds of woodworkers and homeowners, especially when it comes to construction of exterior structures such as decks and fences. The wood that is normally used is softwood and typically yellow southern pine. Step 1 - Clean the Wood Cleaning treated wood may seem like an unnecessary step in the painting process, but the wood may have collected dust, dirt, and debris during its travels from the manufacturer to your home. But the UC code is only half of it. Pressure-treated wood can be painted with latex paint. If it beads up, the wood isn’t quite ready to be sealed. Pressure treated wood is completely paintable, but it must be done properly, otherwise the paint won’t last very long. Cedar and red wood decks are beautiful, but are expensive and more prone to splintering and indentations than PT. Pressure-treated wood can also be painted or stained, but the wood must first be allowed to dry for one to two months to enable proper adhesion. Pressure treated wood is a great and cheap choice for outdoor applications but because of its treatment, it is kind of hard to color it. Using pressure treated wood for outdoor projects – such as decking and front doors – is essential. To obtain the maximum performance out of your treated wood for any outdoor project, you need to choose material that is appropriate for the conditions in which it will be used. You should always remember that pressure-treated wood needs the right amount of time to be thoroughly dried out before it can be painted. The saw dust from the wood that is pressure treated can be an irritant to eyes, skin, and nose. This treatment allows the wood to be resistant to insects, bacteria and fungi. Therefore, you will have to spend extra so that you land the marine plywood for your different woodworking projects. Railing and other finish options would also affect the final budget number. For more information, check out our recommend construction material page. Conclusion Much of the concern over pressure treated lumber is rooted in legitimate suspicion. I asked him if he put water on the wood, did it bead up? This tempts some homeowners to take a pressure washer to their stained decks, but the sheer force of the washer can gouge the wood. Initial cost for a pressure treated deck is the most economical. However, there are benefits to painting it instead. You will see different kinds of ratings on PT wood. Cedar is a very stable wood. Of course, pressure-treated wood is intended for outdoor use. You can either paint it, … Painting vs. Staining Pressure Treated Wood Read More » The cost of this wood can be 30 percent to 40 percent less expensive than redwood. A UC code must be matched to the retention rating of the chemical injected into the wood. Composite. Pressure treated wood is wood that has undergone a special process to make it more durable and less susceptible to decay, insect infestation, mold, and water damage. The various types of lumber have differing moisture content. In this article, we will talk about painting pressure treated wood, if this is made possible, and the important things you need to keep in mind. Utilizing the Cost V Value Guide for our area a basic pressure treated deck approx. You can paint KDAT wood sooner. Allow us to help you gain a deeper understanding of whether or not pressure treated wood can be painted or not to save you time, money, and effort. If you use treated wood, you will have to wait 6-12 months unless it comes cured and ready to paint or stain. Pressure treated (PT) pine boards can warp and shrink as quickly as one month after installation.