Treated Or Untreated Wood For Attic

You can use pressure treated wood but it s more expensive than untreated wood.

Treated or untreated wood for attic.

In most instances untreated wood will work just as well is much safer and will look nicer too. If you are interested in attempting to use pressure treated lumber indoors these types might be worth considering. This is why non pressure treated wood is still required for use indoors and why builders recommended that you only use pressure treated lumber for the support structure of a deck and switch to untreated wood for the surface. Steps such as sealing painting or using other bonding agents increase the life of untreated wood.

If treated wood can last much longer than normal but to make sure your treated lumber lasts as long as possible you need to match its treatment level with the right use. Although there are health hazards to consider treated wood does have its advantages. You can safely use treated wood for indoor furniture but only under certain circumstances. Active steps can be taken to make untreated wood still be a viable option outside if need be.

Pressure treated wood in attic while performing an inspection on a home built in 2004 i noticed that several 2 x 4s were pressure treated wood. Treated wood also known as pressure treated wood or pt is widely available to consumers for home and garden projects. Treated wood used to have arsenic in it as an insect repellent but the newer wood is all environmentally friendly. Any location where pets and kids spend time regularly should be built with non treated wood.

When used indoors there is little possibility of chemicals leaching or releasing toxins into the air because houses are typically dry environments. Moisture is especially hard on wood. The cost is that many chemicals for wood treatment are not necessarily safe for people and pets. Sometimes hemlock western pine and spruce are treated with borate but douglas fir and yellow pine are the most common.

Yes untreated wood can be used outside. What s the major difference. As wood is exposed to the natural elements it slowly breaks down. Untreated wood is vulnerable to moisture as well as insect pests such as termites.

Treating wood with a water seal helps it repel moisture blocks harmful insects and keeps the wood looking its best. The major difference between treated and untreated wood is that treated wood is steeped in chemicals. These chemicals add all sorts of protection for the wood but they come at a cost. Wooden steps and patios located outdoors can quickly absorb rainwater and snow causing the wood to warp erode and eventually rot.

Treated wood was designed to defy the effects of natural aging. Let s look at the pros and cons of both types of lumber so that you can make an informed decision that s best for your family. Yellow pine and douglas fir are the types of wood treated with borate.