{"id":1653,"date":"2021-08-20T14:36:53","date_gmt":"2021-08-20T19:36:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/twomakeahome.com\/?p=1653"},"modified":"2021-08-20T14:37:51","modified_gmt":"2021-08-20T19:37:51","slug":"how-to-treat-untreated-pine","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/twomakeahome.com\/how-to-treat-untreated-pine\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Treat Untreated Pine"},"content":{"rendered":"

I absolutely love iced coffee. I especially love a certain coffee chain\u2019s caramel macchiato. The problem with iced coffees is that they condensate quite a bit, and I tend to nurse my drinks. When that sweat drips down onto my wooden table, it can create a hideous water stain that would ruin the look of my table. Fortunately, my picnic table (where I spend a lot of time working) has been treated and finished properly, which helps to repel the moisture from any drinks with which I forget to use coasters.<\/p>\n

Pine is a very common wood<\/a> that is used when making furniture. It\u2019s also a very popular wood for DIYers who want to build their own things. The problem is that untreated pine wood<\/a> will slowly discolor and rot. To prevent wood rot, you want to be sure to protect it from the elements, especially moisture. To protect pine, it is pressure treated by the lumber companies prior to sale. You can treat untreated pine at home, but the process takes patience and time. Once you have treated the wood, you may choose to finish it, which also requires some time and patience.<\/p>\n

\"how <\/picture><\/a><\/p>\n

There are a few options for finishing off pine<\/a>, and we\u2019ll take a look at some of those options today. We\u2019ll also look at the best way to treat pine wood projects with as little hassle to you. We\u2019ll look at what happens to pine that is left untreated outdoors and how long it will last. Most importantly, should it even be used for projects?<\/p>\n

What Is Treated Pine Wood?<\/h2>\n

You will often hear of wood being pressure-treated. This means that it has gone through the proper cycle to make it rot- and bug-resistant. To pressure treat wood, lumber yards mill the wood, in this case pine, and put it into a tank that depressurizes the wood.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The air that is removed from the pine is then replaced by element-resisting chemicals. The problem is that these chemicals are not safe for humans, so they should only be used in outdoor projects and must be handled with care.<\/p>\n

Treated pine works much better for longevity than if you were to purchase a preservative and treat untreated wood yourself. By using the pressure treated method, the chemicals will penetrate the wood more deeply, providing better protection and longer life for your build.<\/p>\n

Treated Pine Applications<\/h2>\n

Most of the time, builders use treated pine in home building. Treated pine is typically what is used when building exterior walls, sheds, and decks. It works well for these applications because it is resistant to water and dirt, while untreated wood should never come into contact with the ground.<\/p>\n

Because it is treated against wood rot, it can even be placed within<\/em> the ground, making it perfect for wooden fences. Posts can be placed deep into the ground and will last a long time compared to untreated wooden posts. This is also why it is used by government agencies for telephone and light poles, as well as railroad ties.<\/p>\n

How Long Will Untreated Pine Last Outside?<\/h2>\n

The reason that treated pine should be used only outside is because of the chemicals. These chemicals help to preserve the wood<\/a> and protect it from the elements. Without treating the pine, the wood will only last for about five years before it begins to be replaced. It will show wear and tear from the elements (wind, rain, bugs, sun, dirt) much more quickly.<\/p>\n

Moisture and bugs are not the only thing that can damage wood: sun and wind are also dangerous to the wood\u2019s condition. In fact, the UV rays from the sun deplete natural wood oils in untreated pine, which could cause splitting or cracking. On the opposite end of the spectrum, treated wood will last about 25 years outside.<\/p>\n

How Can I Tell Treated Pine from Untreated?<\/h2>\n

The easiest time to distinguish between treated and untreated pine is during the purchase. Besides most companies having tags that are labelled with the type of wood and price, lumber yards are required to attach tags to the base of all treated pine pieces. These tags are required to include the name of the treatment company, the AWPA code, and the chemical agent used to treat the wood.<\/p>\n

But what if you\u2019re inheriting some reclaimed lumber and you\u2019re unsure whether it is treated? There are a few other ways you can tell whether the pine has been treated and is for use outdoors. The first step is to check the color and odor of the lumber. Most pressure treated pine will have a green or blue hue and will smell strongly of chemicals. Fresh lumber will usually be a pale yellow and smell like freshly cut wood.<\/p>\n

However, some chemicals are not easy to pick up by sniffing. The final test that can aid you is a testing kit. These are sold by many retailers (check online if all else fails). Typically, you\u2019ll just swab the wood and use the testing kit to tell you whether certain chemicals are present.<\/p>\n

What Are the Grades of Treated Pine?<\/h2>\n

The American Wood Protection Association<\/a> (AWPA) are the ones who have a grading system for treated woods. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recognizes these codes and many building permits require a specific type of wood coding to pass for permits.<\/p>\n

In fact, the International Code Council recognizes only the AWPA\u2019s standards for coding for both commercial and residential building codes. Typically, for exterior projects, you\u2019ll want to use a UC2, UC3, or UC4 code. These codes are then broken down further based on the usage of the wood.<\/p>\n