Questions You Might Have About Using Treated Pine for Home Projects

Treated pine is a favorite choice for many home projects, as pine is very affordable and versatile, and treated pine planks can be used for just about everything, from framing to decking, to landscape borders. When you shop for treated pine you may note a few terms you're not familiar with and may wonder if the material is the best selection for a project you have planned. Note a few questions you might have about using treated pine for home projects so you know what to look for at the lumberyard and know if it's the right choice for you.

1. What does treated mean?

The term "treated" means that wood has been injected or coated with a substance that helps to resist wood rot, termites, fungus, mildew, mold, and other such damaging elements. This substance makes the treated wood a better option for use outdoors, where wood would otherwise absorb moisture and show signs of mildew growth or become a host for termites. If you don't choose treated timber, whether for indoor or outdoor use, you may see that your wood eventually molds or grows fungus that creates cracking and twisting or is easily eaten by termites.

2. What is choice, premium, and select treated pine?

Wood planks and slats are often graded according to how many defects they have, including knots, twists, cracks, and the like. Choice, premium, and select pine refers to this grading system; choice may have few imperfections, whereas select may have virtually none, with premium being in between. Choose the grade according to the job; you may actually like the look of knots for a pine table but want to avoid any imperfections for a deck on which you'll be walking.

3. What does CCA stand for?

When shopping for treated pine, you may see it marked as CCA, and this refers to copper, chrome, and arsenic, the ingredients in the treatment it's given. The arsenic is used for deterring termites, but of course you may be concerned about having this poisonous substance in your home. Note that arsenic doesn't affect you when using treated pine as decking or for furniture, but some people are concerned with it leaching into the ground when you use pine as a retaining wall or around vegetable gardens. While the actual danger of arsenic leaching into the ground is questionable, it's important to know how pine is treated so you know you make the right choice for any outdoor project on your property.

For more information about treated pine, contact a local supplier like Australian Treated Pine.