Pressure-Treated Lumber

Category: infrastructure

Wood that has undergone a high-pressure chemical immersion process to resist rot, decay, and insect attacks.

This lumber is placed inside a pressurized cylinder where preservative chemicals (such as copper compounds) are forced deep into the wood fiber cells. It is legally mandated for structural elements in direct contact with the ground or concrete foundations, such as deck posts and sill plates.

Common Examples

• You must use ground-contact rated pressure-treated lumber for any structural support posts embedded directly into soil.
• Standard fasteners will corrode rapidly in pressure-treated lumber; always specify hot-dipped galvanized or stainless steel screws.