What is in pressure treated wood?

Pressure treatment is a process that forces chemical preservatives into the wood. Wood is placed inside a closed cylinder, then vacuum and pressure are applied to force the preservatives into the wood. The preservatives help protect the wood from attack by termites, other insects, and fungal decay. read more

Pressure-treated lumber can last 20 years or more, and most pressure treated wood comes with a residential and agricultural limited warranty. ACQ/CA vs. MCA Pressure Treated Wood See details on the two primary types of pressure treated wood in the following chart. read more

Wood for any outdoor project should be pressure-treated; wood for indoor projects should be left as is. The sawdust from pressure-treated wood is an irritant to the eyes, skin, and nose. Some low level leaching (the chemical preservative leaking from the wood) can also be a problem with indoor projects. read more

Pressure-treated lumber is wood that has been immersed in a liquid preservative and placed in a pressure chamber. The chamber forces the chemical into the wood fibers. The pressurized approach makes sure that the chemical makes it to the core of each piece of wood -- it is much more effective than simply soaking the wood in the chemical. read more