Category Archives: Pressure Treated Building Materials

Properly Storing Your Western Red Cedar Lumber and Other Building Materials

Congratulations on the next step in your project!  Now that you have selected your materials and they have arrived at your job site, the very first step is to inspect everything to be sure you have received the correct products and they are free from any defects or damage. Should you have any questions or concerns, please contact us.

Western Red Cedar timbers being assembled for a job site delivery by Cedar Country Lumber

If you will not be installing your building material products right away, it is imperative that they are stored properly, otherwise they can be damaged quite quickly by moisture, humidity, temperature, sunlight, and job site dirt. Any materials that are intended to be installed indoors, need to get out of elements as quickly as possible. Building materials that will be installed outdoors, can remain outside for a short time as long as they are stored properly out of direct sunlight.

Starting from the bottom, your stack of lumber or other building materials should never be stored directly on the ground for any length of time, so be sure to elevate them by placing pieces of scrap lumber or pallets underneath. Should you be storing your lumber over damp ground or freshly poured concrete, you must also put a moisture barrier down. Cedar siding or other “dry” building materials should be kept between 4 to 6” above the ground. Be sure that your pile is laying completely flat.

If large pieces of lumber are strapped together and you will be using them with in a short time period, go ahead and keep them banded together for stability. This is especially helpful when storing pressure treated lumber, as it has a tendency to twist and warp quite quickly when stored outdoors. Items like cedar siding and trim, should be separated and stacked on vertically aligned stickers to allow for airflow and to acclimate before installation.  

Next, cover your building materials with a waterproof tarp or plastic, but not too tightly. You do want to allow some airflow.  To help prevent cupping and to hold down your tarp, you may want to put weights on your lumber pile. Having a peak or covering your pile with a tent in case of rain is also a good idea. Should any of your building materials become wet on the job site, they should be separated and allowed to dry thoroughly before installation.

Following these tips for short-term storage of your Western Red Cedar and other building materials will help your job go a lot smoother, as well as save you time and money!

360.757.6343

www.ccLumber.com

Wood Decking Comparisons

With so many options on the hard and softwood decking market, it can be a challenge to pick the one that is just right for you, your budget, and your lifestyle.

While researching decking options, it is important to realize that there are many, many different grades and growing areas within any wood species.  The differences in grades and where the wood is grown, milled and graded will affect your decking price, availability, and, most importantly, the performance.

Comparison chart for wood decking that includes cost, durability and fire ratingFor example, within the “cedar” deck board market, there are many grades, grading standards, as well as growing regions within the Pacific Northwest where Western Red Cedar and Alaskan Yellow Cedar are grown, which directly affects performance.  Decking cut from premium, clear, mature, coastal grown, Western Red Cedar will outperform decking manufactured from inland grown knotty Cedar boards time and time again.  The same is also true for exotic hardwood decking milled and graded from other countries, including Ipe and Mahogany, two very popular hardwoods that are sold under a variety of brand names, all graded to different brand standards.   

At Cedar Country, we only stock Kayu® Mahogany Batu and Golden Balau “Mahogany” hardwood decking.  Both are similar to Ipe in density, strength, and durability, but without the high price. Sourced from tropical rain forests using sustainable practices, these decking products are 100% natural, 100% organic, 100% clear grade, kiln-dried for consistency, and always carefully inspected by Kayu exclusive graders.

Sourced from sustainable forests, you can count on the quality of our Kayu Red Batu Mahogany decking

Backed with a 25-year limited warranty, when you purchase Mahogany Decking from Cedar Country, you can be sure you are buying the highest quality Kayu® carefully selected hardwoods.  Every time.

Before your next project, be sure to visit us!  We ship nationwide!

360.757.6343

950 B Fountain Street, Burlington, WA

www.CedarCountryLumber.com

CCA Pressure Treated Cedar Shingles and Shakes

While naturally resistant to rot and decay, Western Red Cedar shingles and shakes that have been treated with Chromated copper arsenate (CCA) will add years to the life of your roof or siding.

To add longevity to this cedar roof, the cedar shakes were treated with CCA pressure treatment

Invented in the early 1930s, CCA treatments protect wood against insect attack and fungal decay and is expected to give life to the wood in excess of forty years.  This can be extremely helpful in areas with high humidity to provide longevity to cedar roofing, utility, highway, marine, agricultural and heavy construction.  CCA preservative treatments render the wood useless as a food substance for insects and fungi yet keeps the natural look of the wood.  As a matter of fact, it is almost impossible to tell that the wood has even been treated when finished.

Since CCA pressure treatments have been around for so long, many studies have been done to ensure its safety by both private and public research institutions.  At no time have any special risks been found, and it is not toxic to plants.  However, it should not be used in direct contact with food, nor should it be burned.  As with any wood, a dust mask should be worn when sawing or working with CCA-treated cedar shingles and shakes.

CCA Pressure Treated Cedar Shake Roof will last approximately 40 years

If you are interested in pricing on Western Red Cedar shingles or shakes with CCA preservative treatments, please give us a call or send an email to sales@cclumber.com

Before your next project, be sure to visit us!  We ship nationwide!

www.CedarCountryLumber.com

950 B Fountain Street, Burlington WA

360.757.6343

Western Red Cedar roofing shakes

Why You Should Buy Your Pressure Treated Materials from a Specialty Wood Retailer

Building a quality project starts from the ground up. That’s why we only purchase the best quality Pressure Treated building materials approved for ground contact with good quality retention ratings.

buy the best from the ground up

What does this mean?

Like any product, there are various Pressure Treated building materials that are manufactured with different quality standards. And, while you may find Pressure Treated products for less money at mass retailers or other lumber yards, be sure when comparing pricing, you also compare quality.

Retention

Retention level refers to the amount of preservative remaining in the wood after the pressure treatment process is complete. It is measured on a weight basis and is typically expressed as pounds of preservative per cubic foot (PCF) of wood. There are several typical retention levels available. Generally, the harsher the condition the wood is exposed to, the higher the retention level must be.

There are many types of Pressure Treatments for building materials; however, the three types traditionally we provide for our customers are:

ACQ ~ ACQ stands for Alkaline Copper Quaternary. The ACQ preservative system is based on the well-established effectiveness of copper combined with a co-biocide. ACQ Pressure Treated building products are usually used for sill plates, patios, deck substructures, fence posts, and landscaping structures. The minimum retention level for ACQ Treated Wood for ground contact purposes is 0.40 PCF.

ACQ Treated Wood is generally backed with a Limited Warranty by the manufacturer against structural damage caused by decay and termites. ACQ Treated Wood meets American Wood Protection Association (AWPA) standards as well as all major model building code requirements.

ACQ Treated lumber is also approved by the NAHB Research Center and certified by Scientific Certification Systems (SCS) as environmentally preferable. Approved products are now eligible to receive points towards a building being certified under the National Green Building Standard.

CA-C ~ CA-C stands for Copper Azole; type C. Copper Azole preservative renders wood useless as a food source for termites and fungi. CA-C incorporates a combination of synergistic azoles; the type C formulation is the most advanced version available commercially. Common uses for CA-C for ground contact applications include: poles and posts, wood foundations, utility poles, and guardrails. The minimum retention for level for CA-C treated wood is 0.14 PCF.

CA-C Treated Wood meets the requirements of model building codes for many applications; it is also listed in the standards of the American Wood Protection Association (AWPA). In addition, a code evaluation report (ICC-ESR-1721) has been issued for this product.

Generally, a limited warranty against rot and insect damage is provided by the manufacturer on CA-C Treated lumber.

CCA – CCA stands for Chromated Copper Arsenate. CCA is a chemical wood preservative containing chromium, copper, and arsenic. CCA is used in Pressure Treated building materials to protect them from rotting due to insects and microbial agents. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has classified CCA as a restricted-use product for industrial and agricultural applications only. It is not approved for residential use.

Special considerations and caution should be taken when using any lumber that has been treated with a preservative. It should not be used in any circumstance where it may come into contact with drinking water or where the preservatives could come in contact with food, animal feed, or beehives.

good projects start with quality products from the ground up

photo and craftsmanship by Soundecks of Anacortes, WA

When working with Pressure Treated lumber, gloves should be worn. In the event direct contact is made, all exposed skin should be washed thoroughly. It is advised that you wear a dust mask and goggles during cutting. Never burn preserved wood.

Because of the corrosive nature of all types of Pressure Treating, high-quality corrosion-resistant nails, screws, fasteners, and hardware must be used.

Before Your Next Project, Be Sure to Visit Us!

We Ship Nationwide!

www.CedarCountryLumber.com

Toll-Free 866.757.6343

950 B Fountain Street, Burlington WA