I’m thinking of using pine lumber on the construction of a deck. Is pine available in pressure-treated form? Can it be painted?
Pressure-treated lumber has basically the same physical characteristics as untreated lumber, in that it can be painted, stained, or left unfinished.
Pressure treating will not protect wood from the ravages of weather exposure such as cracking, checking, splintering, and raised grain. To protect against weather-related damage, you should periodically apply a lightly
pigmented water repellent or paint the surface. If you intend to paint treated wood, then check to determine that it’s dry. Otherwise, the finish will not adhere.
Various wood species can be pressure treated. Southern pine is commonly used because its cell structure is well suited to accept preservatives. Some Western species of wood require the manufacturer to puncture the board’s lateral surfaces to allow the preservative to penetrate.
When buying pressure-treated wood, it’s important to specify the purpose for which it is intended. Wood treated for above ground use will have a concentration of .25 pound of preservative per cubic foot of wood, but wood intended for ground contact will have a minimum of .40 pound per cubic foot. The information should be on a tag stapled to the lumber.
