
Pressure-treated wood is the lumber, generated by Inserting preservatives into the wood to increase the lifespan and durability of wood for many decades, Which makes it last-longer.
While pressure treated decking is the decking, where we use pressure-treated wood, pervade with chemicals like ACQ (ammonia copper quaternary) to ensure that our decking is natural, beautiful, strong and can last longer. Which helps us to save money for a long period of time, while having more enjoyment and pleasure.
Let’s discuss why we should invest in this wood type. What are the benefits and drawbacks we get from this wood material? Is it affordable or not?
What are the Advantages of pressure treated Wood decking?
Pressure-treated known for its durability, resistance to moisture and other damages. It’s also cost effective, helps you to save much upfront cost, and due to its longer lifespan, it’s also a solution of long term money saving. Because it’s natural wood, that’s why it’s also eco-friendly.
Let’s discuss the benefits of pressure-treated wood in detail.
- Why is pressure-treated wood durable?
Pressure-treated wood is more durable as compared to other wood materials. Because of injecting the chemicals like ACQ (alkaline copper quaternary), Chromated copper arsenate (CCA), creosote, etc it becomes more resistant to insects, fungi, moisture and scratches etc. That’s why the life-span of this wood is almost 40-50 years with regular maintenance. Most manufacturers give a long-time warranty for this wood type.
- What makes pressure-treated decking resistant to insects?
As we talk above, during the manufacturing of pressure-treated wood, manufacturers insert multiple substances & chemicals in the wood to make it more strong, waterproof and resistant to insects, and other wood-eaten bugs. Who can eat and damage the wood decks. So, those chemicals make it safe from them.
- How does pressure-treated wood decking help save on costs?
The initial cost of pressure-treated wood decks is $14 to $26 per square-ft. While other wood types like cedar wood and redwood’s lower cost is $6 (per sq. ft) and higher cost is almost $37 (per sq. ft). The lifespan of pressure-treated wood decking is almost 15 to 20 years, which is equal to cedar wood. So, due to its affordable initial cost and longer lifespan with proper maintenance and occasional repairs it’s a good option to invest in it to install natural wood decking.
What are the disadvantages of pressure treated wood decking?
Just like other types of decking, we can have many drawbacks in pressure-treated wood as well. Even everything in the world has advantages and disadvantages. So, let’s discuss what problems we can face when investing in pressure-treated wood for wood decking installation.
- How does the manufacturing process affect pressure-treated wood?
The mining of copper, which is an important chemical for the treatment of wood; can be the reason for damaging the environment, because at the manufacturing step, chemical’s particles like ammonia are released into the atmosphere. Which then reacts with moisture in the atmosphere and converts into the ammonium. Then this ammonium quickly sticks to the soil clays during rainfall. Which creates difficulty for plants to grow due to the imbalance of nutrients.
- What are the environmental risks of pressure-treated wood chemicals?
As the pressure-treated wood is made by injecting synthetic chemicals into the wood. It can be difficult to handle, if manufactures make any mistake during cutting lumbers. It can drain from the lumber and mix with soil. Furthermore, if pressure-treated lumber gets burned in any condition, those chemicals can be released into the air and can affect the environment badly.
- Why does pressure-treated wood discolor?
As wood is a natural thing, It can be affected by UV rays of sun due to the exposure to the sun directly. Which is also called the photo-oxidation process. It can change the color of decks to gray. This process can be slow, if we apply sealant and stain on wood decks. Which is also effective to make wood decks safe from moisture, rotting and other damages.
- What causes splinters in pressure-treated wood decking over time?
The wood deck boards can unavoidably cause splinters with time. This is because of wetting and drying repeatedly the wood deck boards over time. These splinters can pierce the skin and can cause cuts, infections or irritations in the skin. Which is really painful. We face this problem especially when wood is rough or deteriorating.
What is the average cost of pressure-treated wood decking?
The cost of pressure-treated wood decks can average between $9.99 to $24.99 for each square foot. While the installation of decking can cost you nearly $4000 to $11000.
Mostly installing cost depends on the size of decks, and many other factors. If you are using higher sized decks for installation, it can increase your cost from short sized decks.
Moreover, if you want to install multi-level decking, it can Cost more as compared to installing floating decks or ground level decks. That’s why mostly homeowners preferred ground level decking rather than multi-level or second-story installation.
Material quality can also impact the cost of decks. The high quality decks can be more costly from 25% to 30% as compared to normal quality decks.
Labor costs also play a significant role in increasing the cost of installation which can be almost $10 to $30 (per sq. ft).
All in all, it can greatly depend on the deck contractor in Columbus that you have chosen for the job.
Table to understand cost of pressure-treated wood decking:
Deck Size | Material Cost (Per Sq. Ft.) | Estimated Material Cost | Estimated Installation Cost | Total Estimated Cost |
---|---|---|---|---|
100 Sq. Ft. | $9.99 – $24.99 | $999 – $2,499 | $1,000 – $3,000 | $1,999 – $5,499 |
200 Sq. Ft. | $9.99 – $24.99 | $1,998 – $4,998 | $2,000 – $6,000 | $3,998 – $10,998 |
400 Sq. Ft. | $9.99 – $24.99 | $3,996 – $9,996 | $4,000 – $12,000 | $7,996 – $21,996 |
600 Sq. Ft. | $9.99 – $24.99 | $5,994 – $14,994 | $6,000 – $18,000 | $11,994 – $32,994 |
800 Sq. Ft. | $9.99 – $24.99 | $7,992 – $19,992 | $8,000 – $24,000 | $15,992 – $43,992 |
1,000 Sq. Ft. | $9.99 – $24.99 | $9,990 – $24,990 | $10,000 – $30,000 | $19,990 – $54,990 |
What are some installation tips of pressure-treated decking?
- When we purchase the pressure treated wood decks, they are mostly in wet condition. In this case, install those deck boards closely to adjust them tightly. When those wood boards dry, they shrink slightly. This shrinking creates small gaps between the wooden boards. These gaps help water drain away. Which help deck boards prevent moisture, rotting and other damages.
- This process of installing pressure-treated decks is also unique from other untreated wood decks, where we make gaps between those deck boards during the installation.
- Make sure to drill in advance in lumber to prevent grains splitting. Especially at the end of the deck. Some you may find the bending forward issue in deck boards during installation, Which can be reduced by putting a screw at the board end’s middle part.
- Pressure-treated lumbers are also able to be used for beams, joists or posts, because they are more durable as compared to other wood types due to the use of chemicals to make these boards strong. But some local government authorities don’t even allow the use of pressure treated lumber directly in the ground to ensure environmental safety. In this condition best practice is making foundation with concrete to make your beams and posts more strong and remain over time.
- Frame your installation properly to ensure that the water can drain away by quick airflow and the deck’s upper area can dry evenly after rain. It will help you to make your decks safe from moisture.
- Now the last step is fastening your deck boards. You can start by fastening from one end of the board. During this process, you can face deck bending problems. Here you can use a tool LEWER to make straight your warped boards.
Conclusion:
Overall Pressure-treated wood is good to invest in, when we see the durability and the longevity, Because the preservatives make it stronger than other wood types. And also because it’s a natural thing, it is more beautiful and shiny than other synthetic decking materials, like composite decking.
While the lifespan of this wood type is almost equivalent to composite decking material. The chemicals, which we insert in wood to make it stronger. These chemicals are harmful for the environment. Especially when they burn out and spread in the air.
If we talk about the cost, it is more affordable than many other decking types with proper maintenance. The installation process is a little bit different from other deckings, because mostly it comes in wet condition.
If you are looking for decking contractor in Columbus that offers composite decking, contact Window Depot Columbus East for a free quote.
FAQs
Does pressure treated wood last longer than cedar?
Yes, it can last longer than cedar wood, But pressure-treated decks can bend or shrink after long-time.
What type of wood is pressure treated wood made from?
Most manufacturers use Pine or Fir wood to make the pressure treated wood.
Does sealing contain chemicals?
Sealing solutions don’t contain too many chemicals but provide safety to wood from moisture or insect damage. While washing hands after sealing is best practice.
Does weathering eliminate chemicals over time?
As the chemicals pervade into the whole lumber deeply, they can’t decompose easily from wood by just rainflow. Although draining of these chemicals can occur after a few years, wood can remain toxic over time.
Is it safe to reuse reclaimed pressure-treated wood?
It’s not recommended to re-use reclaimed pressure-treated wood, because the injected preservatives can affect you badly.