Asked by: Yanis Llanes
hobbies and interests woodworking

Do deck boards need to be pressure treated?

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The advantage of pressure treated wood is that the wood will last longer due to resisting bug damage and rot, making it a more cost-effective route. If you're going to use pressure treated wood in an area where human contact is not constant, such an outside deck or porch, than pressure treated wood is recommended.


Similarly, should deck boards be pressure treated?

Pressure-treated lumber is the logical choice for the structural part of your deck—the posts, joists, beams and other members you normally don't see. Pressure-treated lumber can support more weight and span longer distances than cedar, redwood or other woods commonly used for building decks.

Secondly, can I use untreated wood for deck? Yes, you can use untreated pine outdoors but you shouldn't make it your first choice. Pressure-treated pine is going to hold up against the elements much better. Treated pine, however, can be a great solution for other outdoor projects including decks or even fences.

Beside above, do you need to seal cut pressure treated wood?

Use Cut-N-Seal® on areas that have been drilled or saw cut in treated wood deck boards, railing, post tops, fence boards, etc. Cut-N-Seal is not recommended to replace pressure treatment. Do not use to recoat pressure treated wood surfaces.

How long does pressure treated wood deck last?

15 to 20 years

Related Question Answers

Anxo Dederichs

Professional

Will pressure treated wood rot in concrete?

Pressure treated wood will eventually rot in concrete.not nearly as quickly as untreated, but it WILL eventually.

Neeltje Vavra

Professional

Can you build a deck without pressure treated wood?

Building a deck without pressure treated lumber. jbclem, For the framing (posts, girders, joists), you have about 3 choices -- use PT, use doug fir and spray it with copper green, or use doug fir and paint it. For the decking, you have about 3 more choices -- redwood, a composite, or vinyl.

Daour Oberscheuer

Professional

How long will an untreated deck last?

Untreated, today's western red cedar decking will last 10 to 15 years. Regular cleaning and treating can extend that life to 20, or perhaps 25 years.

Igancio Edreira

Explainer

Should deck boards have a gap?

The goal is to have about an 1/8-inch gap (the diameter of an 8d nail) between boards after the decking has dried to its equilibrium moisture content. If the decking is installed wet, as is often the case for pressure treated material, it is best to install the boards tight, letting gaps form as the wood dries.

Isra Mataix

Explainer

How thick should deck boards be?

This dimension is 1 to 1-1/4 inches thick. Any less thickness produces a springy, weak deck. Joist spacing also determines how thick your deck boards must be. Joists spaced 16 inches on center will take both 5/4 and 2-inch deck boards (which are actually 1-1/2 inches thick).

Adonis Wolers

Explainer

Do termites eat pressure treated wood?

Pressure-treated wood is resistant to termites, but make sure that there's no contact with soil. Pressure-treated wood is wood that has had a chemical preservative forced into the pores to form a barrier that resists decay and wood-eating insects like termites and carpenter ants.

Tudorina Naranjo

Pundit

Can I use 2x6 for deck boards?

2x6 joists should only be used on ground-level decks that do not require, and will not provide for, any guards. Most decks use 16" on center spacing for joists. Most decking is not strong enough to support longer spans than 16".

Grettel Pachr

Pundit

How do you keep pressure treated wood from warping?

If you have to pre-order your pressure treated lumber you can still take some steps to slow down the drying-out process (to minimize warping). Simply stack the boards tightly together. That way their own weight can help pin them down and keep them straighter.

Beate Lokesh

Pundit

How long will a pressure treated post last in the ground?

The Forest Products Laboratory and other research groups have shown that treated wood stakes placed in the ground for more than 40 years remain rot-free. But young pressure-treated decks, many less than 10 years old, are being shoveled into landfills.

Tao Howarth

Pundit

What should I use to seal pressure treated wood?

For fully exposed decks, a water-repellent sealer or a penetrating semi-transparent stain may provide the best finishing solution, even on wood that has been pressure treated with preservatives. Special formulations made specifically for decks are available.

Cleiton Beneit

Pundit

When can I seal pressure treated wood?

A newly built deck that uses pressurized wood will need time to dry completely before a sealer can be applied. The chemicals used to treat the wood leave moisture behind, and depending on the climate, it can take anywhere from a few weeks to a few months until it's dry enough to seal.

Natascha Verdu

Teacher

Is pressure treated lumber treated all the way through?

Generally, yes. Most wood that is treated with a waterborne treatment is treated through its entire thickness to varying levels of retention. Ripping treated dimension lumber and putting it in contact with concrete is nothing to be concerned about.

Smahan Azcona

Teacher

Is pressure treated wood harder to cut?

Dry it Out. The process that makes treated lumber protected against insects, water and mold also add a lot of moisture to the wood. This moisture can make it difficult for someone to cut the lumber. The added moisture can cause the saw blade to slip, the cut to not be clean or for the wood to splinter and chip.

Jianbin Olascuaga

Teacher

Is Wolmanized wood the same as pressure treated?

1 Answer. Wolmanized wood is a subsection of pressure treated wood. There are many different processes that fall in the preserved wood category and Wolmanized wood used a copper azole process. It is manufactured by Arch wood products.

Mertxe Satostegui

Teacher

Georgene Eminian

Reviewer

Does Home Depot cut pressure treated wood?

Yes, Home Depot will do one or two cuts of pressure-treated wood for your convenience. If you experience any issues while in your store, feel free to ask for a manager so they can straighten it out for you.

Biyu Zaoujal

Reviewer

How do I keep my porch posts from rotting?

My 5 Secrets to Prevent Wood Rot
  1. Prime All 6 Sides (with oil-based primer) It's not enough just to prime exterior wood after it's all been installed.
  2. Build Sloped Surfaces. This railing is sloped and the fasteners plugged.
  3. Plug Fasteners. Unplugged screws and nails are like highways for water.
  4. Use Rot Resistant Wood.
  5. Allow for Airflow.

Honorat Lejonagoitia

Reviewer

How do I keep my decking from rotting?

When it is caught early, it may be possible to repair the damage without having to replace your whole deck.
  1. Remove any rotted boards and replace them with new, pressure-treated ones.
  2. Apply a water-resistant coating over the entire deck, including the support pieces.
  3. Even out any spots that create water pooling.

Categoria Glaseker

Supporter

What is the best pressure treated wood to use for a deck?

One of the most popular woods used for decking is pressure treated (PT) wood. PT wood, as we mentioned, is most often made of softwood, usually pine, and has undergone a chemical preservation treatment to make it resistant to moisture and insects.