Pressure-treated wood also known as pt wood is a popular choice for decks, fences, and other outdoor projects because it is incredibly durable. The pressure treatment to the lumber is a chemical mixture that helps protect it from rot, decay, termite attack, and other insect damage.

In general, pressure-treated lumber is recommended in situations where there is direct contact between the wood and anything that could supply moisture: Retaining walls, which function to support landscaping projects and hold back soil. Any posts or beams that come in contact with the ground or are buried underground.

40 years How Long Does Pressure-Treated Wood Last? It depends on the climate, the type of wood, its uses, and how well it's maintained. While pressure treated poles can stay up to 40 years without any signs of rot or decay, decks and flooring might only last around 10 years.

A: Pressure treated lumber should be used for exterior products, such as deck posts, wood decking, gazebos and wood fence posts and panels. While pressured treated lumber is the best choice for exterior projects, not all types are suitable for ground contact.

The predominant species of treated wood is a regionally available softwood. Most common are: Southern Yellow Pine - Southern pine is the most common deck framing material in the eastern United States.

There are three main families of treated lumber used in construction. Borate, Alkaline Copper Quat (ACQ) and other rot-resistant treatments, and non-combustible (Non-Com).

Wood preservatives containing chromated arsenicals include preservatives containing chromium, copper and arsenic. Since the 1940s, wood has been pressure treated with chromated arsenicals to protect wood from rotting due to insect and microbial agent attack and wood-boring marine invertebrates.

A Trex deck will run about $26 to $36 per square foot to build, and that includes labor and materials. Pressure-treated decking will cost somewhere in the neighborhood of $14 to $20 per square foot installed. As you can see, this makes treated lumber a rather attractive financial choice over Trex.

Pressure treated lumber is no stronger than untreated lumber. The difference between the two is that pressure treated lumber will resist the elements better than untreated due to chemical preservatives added, and so will maintain its integrity in conditions that would cause normal wood to rot.

There are two types of treated wood: preservative-treated wood and pressure-preservative-treated wood (pressure treated lumber). Wood treatment chemicals delay deterioration caused by fungi (rot) and make wood less appealing to potentially destructive insects.

Over time, these elements break down the wood's compounds. Thermally-modified wood has been treated with heat to alter its properties and protect it against these destructive outdoor elements. Pressure treatment has the same aim, but makes use of fungicidal chemical preservatives to protect the wood.

While the initial investment for a pressure-treated wood deck is less than that of a composite deck, a Trex deck saves you money in the long run because it lasts longer and requires less maintenance. Maintaining a wood deck with regular sanding, staining and sealing adds significantly to the overall cost.