Pressure Treated Lumber

You have lots of options when it comes to finding the right pressure treated lumber. First, it’s important to understand exactly what treated wood is and why it’s used. Pressure treating is a preservative process that helps wood withstand the elements and wards off termites, microorganisms and fungal decay.

During the pressure treating process, the wood preservatives are forced deep into the wood. Because the treating solution consists mostly of water, the treated lumber will need some time to dry. If you’re planning on painting or staining your treated lumber, it is important that the wood be dry enough to accept a coating.

Types of Pressure Treated Wood
Selecting which type of treated lumber you use for a project ultimately depends on its ultimate purpose. Manufactured to stand up to the weather, rot and insects, 2x ground contact treated lumber is chemically pre-treated at the factory to make contact with soil, water and more. Options for 2x ground contact treated lumber include timbers, deck boards, joists and stringers.

Above ground treated lumber can be used in applications that are easily maintained or replaced, and in applications more than 6 inches from the ground. Above ground treated lumber can only be used when the treated wood has proper ventilation and drainage. Consider using above ground treated lumber for railings, balusters, lattice and above ground deck boards.

Complete Your Treated Wood Project
Whatever job you are working on - building a pool deck, a pressure treated deck, privacy fence, picket fence or garden fence - we have the selection of pretreated wood and pretreated lumber products to get your project done.

Our how-to guides will also explain the pressure treatment of wood and pressure treated lumber measurements, as well as the different grades of pressure treated lumber. Keep your wooden outdoor structures beautiful for years with pressure treated lumber from The Home Depot.