CCA is comprised of arsenic, chromium and copper. Eugene has been a DIY enthusiast for most of his life and loves being creative while inspiring creativity in others. A number that identifies the mill where the lumber was produced. Come join the discussion about tools, projects, builds, styles, scales, reviews, accessories, classifieds, and more! The chamber is then flooded with a diluted chemical solution, and hydraulic pressure applied for 20 to 60 minutes to force the solution deeper into the wood. Similar in appearance to No.1 Dimension Lumber. Today, pressure treated lumber for residential use is commonly pine, spruce, or fir that has been immersed in a water-based chemical bath of preservatives. A quick depressurization cycle then removes any excess from the wood before it is removed from the treatment cylinder. As we can find no formal and simple description of all the different grades, we attempt to describe the grades that we currently stock so that you can decide what best fits your need and customer base. Using expensive wood that is naturally resistant may not fit the budget. Treated wood is made from strong evergreen species making it suitable for most building projects. The accredited inspection agency, manufacturer, and plant are also commonly on the label but may be available in the bar code. The lumber has the structural strength it is graded with but has fewer blemishes or knots, so a better appearance. Dense Select Structural Select Structural. |fqqq~^;mffvf-5wV)64O?q30baveaj^-l*)+1$D>Vnm:OP0C#ddu1;r:8wwQKww3)IKLQ. SPIB performs these functions through the accreditation of the American Lumber Standard Committee (ALSC) as appointed by the Department of Commerce. Being 80% or more clear of defects, it is often used for cabinetry, furniture, and trim. Copyright 2023 This Old House Ventures, LLC. maple, oak, birch, etc. The ranking goes from Select Structural (highest strength, best appearance) to No. SPIB is committed to assisting our customers meet their treatment goals in the most cost-effective means possible. Overly dry wood often needs a pilot hole before fastening to prevent splitting. Both DIYers and building professionals will like these garden and outdoor living ideas and plans. The very basic quality control attributes to evaluate the level of treatment in lumber products is the determination of the depth of preservative penetration and the analysis of preservative retention in a specified, outer assay zone. 43:Gs * endstream endobj 143 0 obj <>stream The lumber is stronger than #1 or #2 and is ideal for all structural construction applications. As I understand it, the grade refers to the number of knots in a given length. Im not going to struggle with huge bows and twisting. Plant inspections are required to be performed at least once per month, but may be increased due to production and/or performance. However, they make an ideal solution for use in arid or dry locations. Trex gets awfully hot also and demands upkeep. x 12 in. The grade mark can include "1W" or "2W" if visually graded to the wane requirements for No.1 or No.2 dimension lumber, respectively. Each American Lumber Standard Committee (ALSC) certified agency has its own registered grade-mark. #2 Prime grade has the strength of #2 grade lumber, but will look better, with fewer knots Premium Grade: Use when small knots are desired and appearance is very important. THE TREATING PROCESS, QUALITY AND IQC RESPONSIBILITIES. Lumber that is imported or for export requires the designation KD-HT, which means it has been kiln-dried and heat-treated to kill insects. Even if you are on the right track, you will still get run over if you just sit there. Design values only apply to utility lumber that is 4 wide. %PZqI]Hx(or3'Z1Ld8&.u$eIJ{\,a(1I4;^?dB;|+abd` wX{M\f/=#S8NS6~#|oNQ5 Lj|< W-&A^N'*6|t79Ir8:]3Y -Q/A9h.BBvX >A3s*E3_2pS\5a 32524-0915 SYP holds almost 85% of the U.S. pressure treated market. I grabbed an exerpt here and there and put it all together, for I was on a lot of different sites and suppliers. Lumber must be stamped for strength by a trained inspector and identified with a legitimate stamp. Characteristics are limited to provide good strength and excellent serviceability. Pressure treated wood may require several weeks or even months to dry before it will absorb stain or paint. The table below identifies the types and their use based on the level of retention of preservatives. Southern Pines ease of treatability has made it the preferred species when pressure treatment with wood preservatives is required. check out this FAQ web site. Regardless of whether the preservative system is approved through the AWPA or ICC-ES process, the inspection and analytical standards used to monitor the respective quality attributes are delineated in the AWPA Book of Standards. {Vzgil=ecQ*Q\o[lb[9X^gZyzzxzxxxyO`}@}(% m6@93 gx$?yV7`{x"?W@_} s See Table 2 or SPIB Grading Rules for design values. Tell us how were doing! Our Services | Lumber Services | The grade of lumber is noted SS, #1, #2, #3, or STUD and the price reflects the quality. The American Wood Protection Association (AWPA) sets the standards for the retention level required for the different chemical preservative compositions for specific types of use. No.1 Prime No.2 Prime Size inches ( actu l) Spacing inches on center 12.0 16.0 24.0 12.0 16.0 24.0 12.0 24.0 16.0 24.0 TREATED FLOOR /D . Use UC3A pressure treated lumber for above ground exterior projects. Knots must be well spaced and tight, so they wont fall out, and no larger than 2-3/4 in a 28. Wood Packaging Material (WPM). Bruce, I found more info on the heat treated wood. We think it is only appropriate to attempt to describe these grades for your reference to help you better understand what you currently stock and what is additionally available to you and your customers. A specific indicator or a specific method is then used to reveal the depth and consistency of preservative penetration. There are different types of treatment and lumber grades for different uses. I only use ground contact when the wood is actually touching the ground. 1, No. (Kiln Dried After Treatment). All structural lumber used in the U.S. and Canada requires a stamp identifying it as grade SS, #1, #2, or #3. Ill suffer with pt. The appearance doesnt affect the structural grade, it just is superficially more appealing. 3 and Stud 12" wide 2050 1900 1750 1350 1250 1150 1150 975 900 575 1100 1050 900 725 675 600 575 550 525 325 175 175 175 175 175 175 175 175 . Most likely it is a treated board, since most treated lumber is sold wet, some yards sell K.D.A.T. The size, location, and the number of knots and other defects, and the slope of the wood grain affect the structural strength of lumber. s MSR lumber is distinguished from visually stress graded lumber in that each piece is non-destructively tested. Office: (850) 434-2611 | Toll Free: (800) 995-7742 Pressure treated lumber is available in 1, 5/4, 2, 4, and 6 nominal thicknesses, and widths up to 12. No.2 Non-Dense No. Gives the trademark or number of the mill of origin. The greater the content of preservatives denotes the type and use of the treated wood. In ancient times the Greeks used olive oil, the Romans tar, and others used pitch or lye. Follow along as we decode the stamp and show you how to get the most lumber for your money. For appearance, it must be 29% clear of defects. Premier structural grades. Outside building projects and even some damp areas inside require wood that is resistant to moisture damage. Recommended for construction where high strength, stiffness and good appearance are desired. Select Structural (SS) is the highest grade based on strength and durability. 139 0 obj <> endobj 153 0 obj <>/Filter/FlateDecode/ID[]/Index[139 24]/Info 138 0 R/Length 80/Prev 801267/Root 140 0 R/Size 163/Type/XRef/W[1 2 1]>>stream Office: (850) 434-2611 | Toll Free: (800) 995-7742 Dont know how PT Pine looks. Like all lumber, the fewer knots, blemishes, or defects, the higher the grade. Preservative Treatment When pressure-treated lumber is required, it should be treated according to appropriate American Wood Protection Association (AWPA) Standards or through the product evaluation process of the International Code Council (ICC) Evaluation Service. There are many questions about the different treated wood products in our market today. I noticed that a 2x8x16 is 5 bucks less a board at HD than the quote that a lumber yard gave, but everything the lumber yard quoted is ground contact. THIRD-PARTY AGENCY AUDIT and SAMPLING PROCEDURES. Where applicable, the International Building Code requires that all treated wood products be treated and labeled as meeting specific AWPA Standards and bear the mark of an ALSC-accredited agency OR equivalent. It is not as strong as the other grades and is commonly used for where it wont be visible, and light framing purposes such as bracing, crates, and pallets. Get the latest This Old House news, trusted tips, tricks, and DIY Smarts projects from our expertsstraight to your inbox. For demanding applications, such as interior load-bearing walls, hell pay extra for these stronger grades. The wood is commonly used for light construction or framing where it isnt visible, or for bracing, packaging, and shipping purposes. The longer the wood is in the pressure chamber, the greater the content of chemical preservatives forced into and retained in the wood. While all species are graded at the same four levels of strength and appearance, they are not equally strong. The dry wood is loaded into a treatment cylinder which is then sealed and depressurized to vacuum as much air as possible from the wood cells. Within all grades, there are planks that will be freer of blemishes and knots and may be called premium. Pressurization then forces the liquid deep into the wood. Usable lengths suitable for bracing, blocking, bulkheading and other general utility purposes where strength and appearance are not a consideration. Im building a deck and am getting conflicting info on the difference between #1 and #2 PT. WWPA offers a heat treatment certification program for mills to stamp qualifying lumber with the KD - HT mark. &_ePM&dWCh The molecular changes in wood composition result in unique features: This specific set of data for each charge is called a charge report. The quest for decent boards begins. IMO when buying PT for above ground use, quality and appearance is what counts. ehV$W'A Our next Blog will take the samples to the SPIB laboratory for analysis to determine if retention values are conforming. A very good product to, Highest recognized grade of Finish. It has a unique broad grain cellular structure that allows for uniform and deep penetration of chemical preservatives. Most lumber in my area is listed as Prime or Premium depending on the box store and is stamped #2 or #2 & BTR. By the end of the article, youll have a better understanding of what different pressure treatments mean, and how to select the grade and type for the use you intend. In appearance, it is at least 57% clear of defects. It should be noted, #2 & BTR does not mean #1. SPIB also inspects mills that manufacture and label various lumber products under these rules. It's usually stapled to the wood and isn't a requirement to be on the actual stamp. Species and Sizes Of Pressure Treated Wood, Different Kinds of Softwoods That Are Pressure Treated, Tips for Working with Pressure Treated Wood, Types of Pressure Treated Lumber and Where to Use Them, Sill & bottom plates, damp locations, basement framing, bathrooms, flooring, baseboards, Exterior Above Ground, Coated with Rapid Runoff, Exterior Above Ground, Uncoated or Poor Runoff, Cedar shakes, exterior stairs, joists, beams, decking, railings and fence boards/pickets, any wood within 6 of soil & vegetation, Fence, deck & structural posts, ledgers, retaining walls, garden boxes, any wood within 6 of soil, vegetation, or freshwater, or poor air circulation, As with UC4A plus posts set into the ground, retaining walls, wood foundations & supports, freshwater contact, saltwater spray, garden & utility posts, Pilings or wood in direct installation in soil, gravel, concrete, freshwater, or extreme weather exposure, Contact & immersion in cold ocean waters north of Long Island & San Francisco, docks, piers, wharves, shore walls, boardwalks, & buildings, Contact & immersion in warmer ocean waters south of San Francisco and Long Island, and similar to UC5A, Contact & immersion in warm Gulf Coast waters & south of Georgia, and similar to UC5A, Interior construction, no ground or moisture contact, fire partition walls, kitchens, hallway & stairwell framing, Exterior construction, exposure to weather but not ground contact, porches, exterior stairs, window treatments, Tight and well-spaced, and no larger than 2-3/4 on a 28, Well-spaced and no larger than 3-1/2 on a 28, 1/4 the thickness and 1/4 the width full length, or not greater than 1/2 the thickness or 1/3 the width for 1/4 of the length, 1/3 the thickness and 1/3 the width full length, or not greater than 2/3 the thickness or 1/2 the width for 1/4 of the length, Checks separation across or through growth rings due to seasoning, Unlimited surface seasoning checks with through checks limited to splits, Skips surfaces that were missed or failed to clean, Maximum of 5% of the plank or 2 or less in length, Shake lengthwise separation through or between growth rings, Limited as splits if through or 2 long on the surface only, Limited as splits at ends if through or 2 long if well separated, or maximum of 3 or 1/4 the length if surface only, Warp bow, crook, cup, twist, or any combination, Sapwood stained or firm heart or red heart stain, No limit to sapwood stained or firm heart stain or red heart. The grading is standardized and consistent for structural strength across the U.S. and Canada. Gloves protect against slivers and water-soluble chemicals; it is also advisable to thoroughly wash hands before eating or drinking. Another brand of heat treated wood that can be used for decking. However, treated lumber may be kiln-dried or wet and will shrink, cup, and warp as it dries. Other than the features that depend on the type of tree the wood came from (i.e. The resulting hole will be filled with a treated wood plug to prevent easy access by insects or decay fungi. Any lumber experts out there that can confirm KD HT is ok for a new deck? Lumber, posts, and ties range from 8 to 16 in length, although longer may be ordered. x 8 ft. #2 Prime or Better Ground Contact Pressure-Treated Lumber is a . It is stamped S-GRN for surface-green or AD for air-dried. Has a better appearance than No.1 Dense Dimension Lumber because of additional restrictions on firm red heart, pith, knots and wane. Borates are sodium salts used in water-based pressure treatment solutions. Recommended for uses where high strength, stiffness and good Since 1960, lumber in North America has been graded at lumber mills by trained inspectors for structural strength and quality control. Exciting stuffyou wont want to miss that! This double treated Ground Contact lumber must be used for applications where treated lumber is difficult to maintain, repair or replace. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission, which supports our community. Used for such purposes as studding, blocking, plates, bracing and rafters. Appearance is same as D Finish for thicknesses 4" and less and widths 12" and less. The main difference between #1 and #2 is the slope of the wood grain, size, spacing, and the number of knots and holes, and the length of any splits. UC3B or UC4A are best for ground contact use. What is the Best Pressure Treated Wood for Decks? A forum community dedicated to Do it yourself-ers and home improvement enthusiasts. These values are modified using procedures shown in "Calculating Apparent Reliability of Wood Scaffold Planks," as published by the Journal on Structural Safety, 2 (1984) 47-57, and updated in 1993. 6^,fniSgdc24.L7` b. In most cases, the required depth of penetration is 2.5 or 85% of the available sapwood. It is most commonly used for sheathing and applications where a fine finish is not required. Machine Evaluated Lumber is also required to meet certain visual requirements. Each charge sheet is reviewed to verify that all IQC requirements have been met and properly documented. As the numbers go up, quality and price go down. Here is a list and description of some of them. At the end of the pressurized period, the solution is pumped out and stored for use on the next batch. 2 kd 19 ht 434 and spib ht 434 it looks like it's kiln dried and heat treated, but is it pressure treated to resist rot? We've downsized and im already overimproved. @_10ip CzHrGfnl~Frc>fkH 2X [ ^ endstream endobj 140 0 obj <>>> endobj 141 0 obj <>/ExtGState<>/Font<>/ProcSet[/PDF/Text/ImageC]/XObject<>>>/Rotate 0/TrimBox[0.0 0.0 595.276 841.89]/Type/Page>> endobj 142 0 obj <>stream Email: cspsales@canfor.com. Pressure treated lumber has been infused with preservatives to prevent rot and insect damage. H|TnT1}W1yi= hEN4Kg8 bvlbh%gCXcX]NDRnFiUH>.Sl6Vi\(f^j+d}IT#h3Si [j6sG1Pbh`sX9W.+|FdqvJY/nm Sd@{D The best pressure treated wood for decks is Select, #1 or #2 grade wood. %\dbZ!1T09 F.#3s3+VdIr9f>LQOL7-1K)s+}OY'\awt_D FfhWnK8R5 @^L;@e\;7&8/O_PL;V@SqqZEy?9S=Z_{uh@fx:DSs=8! b+! I have to call this lady back again at COX lumber, I had called her about something else and she was very knowledgable. Follow the link here to complete our Treated Division and Laboratory Customer Satisfaction Survey. Pressure-Treated Lumber 15 Span Tables . Treated posts or ties readily available at yards and stores are 35, 44, and 66; 88 is also available but may be a special order. Tell us how we're doing! The stapled on label will have w/CE to indicate with color enhancement, she is correct. Grade based on No.1 Dimension Lumber except wane and other characteristics that affect appearance are limited. He is passionately interested in home improvement, renovation and woodworking. They dont discolor the wood and protect against insects, molds, mildew, and fungi. Got your hard hat and high-vis vest? In appearance grade, the planks are 66% clear wood. The most noticeable difference may be the price and scarcity of #1 grade lumber. End-glued, face-glued, and edge-glued Southern Pine in glued assemblies, including stress-rated grades of finger-jointed 2" Dimension Lumber. Pressure treatment of lumber has come a long way in the past 100 years. Basements and bathrooms are other areas where pressure treated wood can be used to frame interior walls to protect against moisture, mildew, and mold damage. Pressure treated lumber commonly is end-tagged with an information label before leaving the plant. Treated wood will shrink as it dries and expand when wet and may acquire surface checks and cracks over time. Box 10915 Pensacola, Fl. OK then thanks. There are six different types of pressure treatment ratings, with different categories in some of them. The cores are then dried and ground for the purpose of analyzing the dust by x-ray, titration or gas chromatography methods. Recommended for general framing purposes. An easy way to identify the right framing lumber for your needs. 2 Dimension Lumber characteristics. Locations Products. The unique cellular structure of Southern Pine permits deep and uniform penetration of preservatives, rendering the wood useless as a food source for fungi, termites and micro-organisms. Selecting the correct type of treated wood for a project often depends on how and where it will be used. Different types of treated lumber are used in many aspects of residential, commercial, and industrial construction where moisture or ground exposure may occur. A Production Category is defined as a given preservative, specie and retention combination. See Finish grades for face side; reverse side wane limitations are lower. The HD guy is wrong. Number 2 grade lumber often has more knots and blemishes than #1 grade but may be clear enough on one face to be deemed select or premium. Douglas fir has a tight close grain cell structure making it stronger and less prone to warping and twisting than pine. VerticalScope Inc., 111 Peter Street, Suite 600, Toronto, Ontario, M5V 2H1, Canada. Superior product suitable for a wide range of uses including shelving, boxing, crating, and form lumber. The sampling procedures are the same as required by IQC, but re-inspection of a given charge will likely involve only a portion of the total charge. Modern chemical baths and pressurization began in the early half of the 20th century. An internet search says it has to do with less knots and quality, and that #1 is of higher quality. Protecting wood against rot and insects has been done for centuries. But in an existing house where the framing is already dry, hell use more stable, and more costly, KD lumber, or even MC-15 lumber, which has a moisture content of 15 percent or less. Provides good appearance with some of, Maximum recommended support spacing is 24" on center (16" on center for Imported Southern Pine), High-quality product, recommended where smallest knots are, Slightly less restrictive than premium grade. Many homes have fences, retaining walls, and garden boxes constructed of treated wood, and even the wooden utility poles supplying power and communications are pressure treated. Pressure-treated wood can dry in about 1 month, whereas fresh wood provides an environment where fungi and bacteria produce rot and insects infest. Helping You to Do It Yourself! Good appearance, but graded primarily for strength and serviceability. A superior decking grade, suitable for plank floor where face serves as finish floor. Pressure treated wood can also be stained or sealed to enhance its color and for added protection. Check sources of supply for available grades and sizes. Longleaf, shortleaf, loblolly, and slash are some of the native southeastern pines that are classified as SYP. The SPIB publishes grading rules under which 95% of the production of the entire industry is classified and sold and maintains an extensive training program in a classroom setting, on the web, and at the mills. (KD-HT means the wood was also heat treated to kill pests, a requirement for imported lumber.) Lumber may have one hole every 3 and any splits must not be bigger than the plank is wide. SPIB is subject to continual review by IAS to ensure that the laboratory and agency records remain in compliance. The two remaining designations, while not very useful to a homeowner, enable grading agencies to enforce their standards. Lumber is stamped after it is milled and prior to being pressure treated. This cryptic tattoo indicates that a piece of wood meets established standards for strength and stiffness, and it also offers useful information about the type of wood and how much moisture it contains. It often links with the logo or symbol of the association that oversees the grading at that mill. H\n0l/$x\$-"-! So, weve covered a lot of ground, but this is not the end, not by a long shot! CCA is still used for industrial purposes today. So if you see HT on the stamp theres no real reason to doubt its treated but there is no way to know for sure on a brand new deck. r Even if you are on the right track, you will still get run over if you just sit there. I did find a post about how the PT label might be cut off the end of a board and the stamp that is left shows HT or kiln dried HT. Grademarks. Structurally, an SPF #2 28 can be used to span distances of 14-11. http://www.ecoprem.com/pdf/ecoprem_wood_technology_competitive_analysis.pdf. Decking materials such as 26 and 5/46 frequently are of better-looking #1 and #2 lumber. hbbd``b`i@i`}{" s@BHpE ^ !RHp@00 30 . endstream endobj startxref 0 %%EOF 162 0 obj <>stream {l@n7gM. Some wood goes through a machine that incises small cuts into the surfaces for deeper chemical protection. A joist made of Douglas fir, for instance, will cover a greater span than a hemlock joist of the same size and grade. Raised floor homes look great and protect homeowners against risks from flooding and subsiding soils. r An indicator is used to identify the untreatable, heartwood sections of the 20-core sample (Sapwood is the outer portion of the log; heartwood is the innermost portion of the log and is rarely capable of accepting preservative). It has a grain slope of 1 in 12, may have seasoning checks, and tight, well-spaced knots up to 2-1/4 on a 28. About Contact Careers Locations Products, About Contact Careers But using bigger joists of a cheaper species might save you money without loss of strength. The pressure-treatment process Timber components, machined to their finished dimensions and at an appropriate moisture content, are impregnated with preservatives in large pressure vessels, where the combination of vacuum and high-pressure drives the preservative into the wood. It must specifically be labeled ground contact. Treated wood is made from strong evergreen species making it suitable for most building projects. Tel: 251-457-6872. It's distinctive wood grain appearance is great for decorative finishing. 2, and No. I guess it is just a regional thing. Unseasoned or green lumber has a moisture content of 19% or greater and subject to shrinkage and warping as it dries. };hax{Hk[qMkhpcge/*b7_W?!r*uEkGhKZS$_~Zuzrxx xo)>kf}sgn^k4$=!i[*5X,y-ZrZ1 I% I?S?C# M7nsp:{&|nn1###M&d lB6-M&d lB6M&d ; IS)VY23xe@YY_Q_Y_Q_Y_Q_Y_Q_Y_Q_u_BNt/;(.? Lumber stamped #2 grade is commonly used for framing, lintels, rafters, trusses, joists, beams, and fencing. SPIB is a not-for-profit company that serves as the rules-writing agency for the Standard Grade Rules in Southern pine lumber. Most is not. Dont know anything about the HT lumber, but if you are in the west, the PT is still Western Hemlock and looks pretty much the same as before. Generally clear, although a. Recommended where a combination of economical construction and good strength is desired. In preparation for treatment, like lumber products are grouped together onto moving trams and placed into a large cylinder for treatment of the charge. Water-repelling at a molecular level Youll get less movement with kiln-dried (KD) or surface-dry (S-DRY) lumber, which has a moisture content between 16 and 19 percent. Recommended for moulding and millwork applications. Ok, now that weve got that covered, lets go to the treating plant! Details Made from quality Southern Pine lumber Available for . The Fora platform includes forum software by XenForo. Modern science has developed preservative treatments that are odorless and colorless, and leave the wood paintable and dry to the touch.
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