Standard grade lumber has more defects and knots and is #2 structural grade wood. Top-quality lumber 2x4 through 2x12 are either #2 Prime grade, #2 & Better/Appearance grade or #1 grade. The cores are then dried and ground for the purpose of analyzing the dust by x-ray, titration or gas chromatography methods. Maximum spans were calculated using design . All rights reserved. Application of these grade-marks represents assurance by the manufacturer that their Southern Pine lumber product is properly manufactured and meets the grade requirements of their customers, ensuring consumer confidence in Southern Pine lumber products. Email: cspsales@canfor.com. For additional information on the proper handling and storage of pressure-treated Southern Pine materials,click here. The treatment doesnt penetrate deeply into the wood due to the impermeable nature of the wood cells. Not all PT is rated for ground contact. Trex gets awfully hot also and demands upkeep. Lumber Grades - ProWood lumber OK then thanks. Its appearance ranking requires it to be 75% free of knots or defects. The grade mark can include "1W" or "2W" if visually graded to the wane requirements for No.1 or No.2 dimension lumber, respectively. I have to call this lady back again at COX lumber, I had called her about something else and she was very knowledgable. Many DIYers and even some professionals arent familiar with the different types of pressure treated wood and their uses, or that the information is on the end-tag stapled to the board. The appearance doesnt affect the structural grade, it just is superficially more appealing. Dressed to standard dry size prior to machine stress rating, and visually graded to assure that characteristics affecting strength are no more serious than the limiting characteristics for each grade. Pro Note: All copper-based wood preservative solutions will corrode unprotected iron and steel brackets and fasteners. No. Similar in appearance to No.2 Dimension Lumber. Application of the product requires pressure treatment by an approved treating process and preservative for marine usage. It's usually stapled to the wood and isn't a requirement to be on the actual stamp. IMO when buying PT for above ground use, quality and appearance is what counts. Office: (850) 434-2611 | Toll Free: (800) 995-7742 Building codes, inspectors, builders, engineers, and other professionals use the grades to make sure structures are safe for use. CCA is a mixture of chromium, copper, and arsenic that turns wood green. The current process is mostly computerized and mechanized using modern technology. Grademarks | SPIB | Southern Pine Inspection Bureau MC-15 identifies lumber as having 15% or less moisture content. It is most commonly used for sheathing and applications where a fine finish is not required. Im building a deck and am getting conflicting info on the difference between #1 and #2 PT. The amount of chemical retained determines how resistant the lumber will be. The result of having a unified rating means the end-tag on lumber identifies how well the wood will stand up in different conditions, regardless of the chemical cocktail its been exposed to. Borates are sodium salts used in water-based pressure treatment solutions. 32524-0915 Behind the Mark: A Look at the SPIB Treated Wood Inspection Process Machine Stress Rated (MSR) lumber is evaluated by mechanical stress rating equipment. Please keep in mind, that with the advent of prime grades, the differences between the grades of lumber have become even more defined and distinct. It is stamped S-GRN for surface-green or AD for air-dried. &_ePM&dWCh The look of the wood is only important if it is highly visible, such as deck boards, railings, and other visible structural members. Within all grades, there are planks that will be freer of blemishes and knots and may be called premium. As I understand it, the grade refers to the number of knots in a given length. Once on the drip pad, the material will stay until it is dry enough to be moved into the plants treated inventory. Structurally, an SPF #3 28 can be used to span distances of 12-4. Overall plant evaluation is done by means of separating and inspecting all of the different Production Categories to help identify very specific areas of concern, if any exist. Timber Grades have similar characteristics to the corresponding grades of dimension lumber. MSR lumber is also required to meet certain visual grading requirements. For outdoor seating. Tel: 251-457-6872. The charge is considered conforming if each component meets the minimum required retention AND the total, combined minimum retention is met. The stapled on label will have w/CE to indicate with color enhancement, she is correct. The label will show w/CE which means with color enhancement. Advances in preservative treatments, environmental management and sustainable forestry practices make treated wood an ecologically sound building material. High quality, limited in characteristics that affect strength or stiffness. Establishes lumber quality based on a graders visual inspection. No.1 Drop Siding is graded as No.1 Boards; No.1 Flooring and Paneling not provided under SPIB Grading Rules as a separate grade, but if specified, will be designated and graded as D. Graded as No.2 Boards. x 12 in. To qualify for a SPIB grade-marking license, a mill must have verified credentials in the manufacturing, seasoning, and grading of Southern Pine lumber. In most cases, the required depth of penetration is 2.5 or 85% of the available sapwood. (See Wood Code, below). Raised floor homes look great and protect homeowners against risks from flooding and subsiding soils. The chemical treatment makes the wood resists insects, mold, mildew, and rot but not moisture-proof. Pressure treated lumber has been treated with a chemical solution to protect it from insects, mold, mildew, and rot. To limit the entry and spread of quarantine pest through international trade, the International Plant Protection Convention adopted the International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures Guidelines for Regulating Wood Packaging Material in International Trade (ISPM 15). The recommended type of treated wood for in-ground use is UC4B and UC4C; UC4B has a higher retention level than lower graded types, and UC4C has even more. No.1 Prime No.2 Prime H ighqu al ty, m ed nc r sfo . Gives the trademark or number of the mill of origin. Use UC3A pressure treated lumber for above ground exterior projects. However, treated lumber may be kiln-dried or wet and will shrink, cup, and warp as it dries. Some wood goes through a machine that incises small cuts into the surfaces for deeper chemical protection. Most likely it is a treated board, since most treated lumber is sold wet, some yards sell K.D.A.T. However, they make an ideal solution for use in arid or dry locations. Kiln-dried wood is lighter, easier to work with, and less likely to split. H\Ak0:b @HZ=8&5FqjfvRut.I/55zb6+]5m&.wgUWm,ZM]nrO=gu${Tu?co2:4 PDF Reference Design Values for Visually Graded Southern Pine Dimension Wood Packaging Material (WPM). We've downsized and im already overimproved. Since 1960, lumber in North America has been graded at lumber mills by trained inspectors for structural strength and quality control. Box 10915 Pensacola, Fl. Ultimately, our program provides an economically sound and standardized method of treatment, evaluation, labeling and certification for producers, specifiers and end users of pressure treated wood products. The table below identifies the main differences. Got the ledger #2 GC from the lumber yard. Some mills may then identify it A, B, C, or D for appearance based on how clear or free it is of knots and blemishes. Ok, now that weve got that covered, lets go to the treating plant! The species and grade, however, affect the spacing between supports with #1 often rated for greater spans. Those stacks also include some No. Premium is usually #1 or #2 grade lumber. Then I worked to live. ehV$W'A Tom saves money by ordering S-GRN wood when framing a new house, figuring that all the wood will air dry at the same pace. I did find a post about how the PT label might be cut off the end of a board and the stamp that is left shows HT or kiln dried HT. This defect is exacerbated in the presence of Spi-1 haplo-insufficiency (Spi1+/- SpiB-/-). Basements and bathrooms are other areas where pressure treated wood can be used to frame interior walls to protect against moisture, mildew, and mold damage. The lumber is stronger than #1 or #2 and is ideal for all structural construction applications. Premium is often identified as A, B, C, and D. A has no visible defects, knots, or splits, B has a few small defects visible, C may have small knots on one side and none on the other, and D may have pin size (up to 1/2) knots or small defects on both sides. Kiln-dried wood vs pressure treated: what is better? Pressure treatment is an affordable alternative to expensive naturally rot-resistant lumber. The tag identifies its proper use Above Ground, Ground Contact, etc. #1 #2 prime etc deals with the quality of the board. 2 kd 19 ht 434 and spib ht 434 it looks like it's kiln dried and heat treated, but is it pressure treated to resist rot? No matter what it is called or tagged, it should bear a stamp on the wood surface identifying it as SS, #1, # 2, or #3. SPIB is accredited through IAS and maintains ISO certification as both an inspection agency (ISO 17020) and a Laboratory (ISO 17025). These Standards are very prescriptive in the requirements for Quality Control procedures, preservative penetration, analysis methods for retention, in-plant equipment, records and third-party agency responsibilities and requirements. The longer the wood is in the pressure chamber, the greater the content of chemical preservatives forced into and retained in the wood. Tel: 843-236-9399. What's this lumber stamp mean? - Fine Homebuilding You Save $3.39 with Mail-In Rebate. Treated wood products must meet very specific quality requirements to meet the building code. Pressure treated lumber commonly is end-tagged with an information label before leaving the plant. The HD guy is wrong. An indicator is used to identify the untreatable, heartwood sections of the 20-core sample (Sapwood is the outer portion of the log; heartwood is the innermost portion of the log and is rarely capable of accepting preservative). Mobile, AL. Most lumber in my area is listed as Prime or Premium depending on the box store and is stamped #2 or #2 & BTR. Description & Documents #2 prime southern yellow pine with virtually no wane CA-C Above Ground pressure treated exterior wood protected by Ecolife (EL2); a stabilizing formula that repels water keeps boards straighter and looking better longer Ecolife (EL2) provides built-in water repellency that lasts for up to 3 Pressure treatment is an affordable alternative to expensive naturally rot-resistant lumber. 2023 Southern Pine Inspection Bureau | All Rights Reserved | SitemapP.O. However, enough gets into the wood to provide a shell of protection that cant be matched with a brush. The ALSC also accredits third-party agencies, like SPIB, to inspect treating plants that produce treated lumber products with preservative systems listed in the American Wood Protection Association (AWPA) Book of Standards (BOS). However, some KD-HT wood at your local lumber yard might have a tag on the end of the lumber that specifies PT. The chamber is then flooded with a diluted chemical solution, and hydraulic pressure applied for 20 to 60 minutes to force the solution deeper into the wood. Both DIYers and building professionals will like these garden and outdoor living ideas and plans. Recommended for moulding and millwork applications. x 8 ft. #2 Prime or Better Ground Contact Pressure-Treated Lumber is a . The treated wood is then taken to the yard to dry naturally or to the drying kilns before shipping to the retailer. Good appearance, but graded primarily for strength and serviceability. Lumber with more checks, splits, wane, well-spaced larger knots and holes, and a grain slope of 1 in 4 are stamped #3 or construction grade. 1s and Selects, to boot. The SPIB grade-mark is recognized as a sign of integrity within the industry. While all species are graded at the same four levels of strength and appearance, they are not equally strong. Pressure treatment doesnt make the wood stronger or weaker, just more resistant to insect and moisture damage. May have to look at Home Depot closer, since they carry #1 above ground. Good-quality sheathing, fencing, shelving and other general purpose uses. 2 x 4 x 20' Prime Pressure Treated #2 Lumber *BUY IN BULK* AND SAVE It can be used to span greater distances, an SPF SS 28 will reach 15-3. Oil-based and creosote treatments are still used but since the preservatives leach out over time and with heat, they are considered too messy or hazardous for residential use. How to Read the Stamp - This Old House There are many other uses for pt lumber, including docks, boathouses, sheds, boardwalks, play structures, gazebos, and the list goes on. The unique cellular structure of Southern Pine permits deep and uniform penetration of preservatives, rendering the wood useless as a food source for fungi, termites and micro-organisms. The wood grain has a 1 in 8 slope, and there may be bark edge or wane visible. Thanks to all, ill never outlive ground contact or not, but maybe for the kids ill go with the lumber yard ground contact since they did the quote and its not much more dough. What is the Best Pressure Treated Wood for Decks? The very basic quality control attributes to evaluate the level of treatment in lumber products is the determination of the depth of preservative penetration and the analysis of preservative retention in a specified, outer assay zone. Termawood vapor-stabilization technology is a patented wood heat treatment technology, utilizing a natural thermochemical reaction and steam at temperatures of 230-240 C without ANY chemical additives. It is used for all areas of residential construction from load bearing to trim. This double treated Ground Contact lumber must be used for applications where treated lumber is difficult to maintain, repair or replace. Typically, the first step of a third-party agency audit involves a review of the plants records. In the 19th-century railway companies used creosote to coat railway ties and timbers for bridges. Recommended for uses where high strength, stiffness and good appearance are desired. The solution protects the wood from rot, insects, fungus, mold, and mildew, and also turns the wood a brown tone. Combination for B&B and C grades; satisfies requirements for. r An excellent decking grade that can be used face side down for roof decking or face side up for floor decking. We work together with our subscribers to provide consistent, accurate inspection data for their use to improve product quality, meet Building Code specifications, enhance service life, and promote industry sustainability. The preservatives dont affect the load-bearing abilities, just provide protection against insect, mold, mildew, and rot damage. Modern chemical baths and pressurization began in the early half of the 20th century. Details Made from quality Southern Pine lumber Available for . Wood is a sustainable product, making it . Dimension stability improves 12-17 times compared to untreated wood The kd19 is the customers assurance that it was dried to the proper level before it left the plant. Minimum retention values are specified in the AWPA BOS for those preservative systems listed under AWPA and in the various Quality Manuals for those systems specified by a given ESR. s Characteristics are limited to provide good strength and excellent serviceability. IQC results of treatment for each charge are required to be documented in the plant records to correspond to the individual charge reports. @_10ip CzHrGfnl~Frc>fkH 2X [ ^ endstream endobj 140 0 obj <>>> endobj 141 0 obj <>/ExtGState<>/Font<>/ProcSet[/PDF/Text/ImageC]/XObject<>>>/Rotate 0/TrimBox[0.0 0.0 595.276 841.89]/Type/Page>> endobj 142 0 obj <>stream Outside building projects and even some damp areas inside require wood that is resistant to moisture damage. There may be a secondary stamp that identifies the visual grade as Premium or Select A, B, C, or D. Pressure treated lumber also has an end-tag stuck or stapled to one end. Pressure treatment of lumber has come a long way in the past 100 years. Tell us how we're doing! Economical, serviceable grade for natural or painted finish. It has a unique broad grain cellular structure that allows for uniform and deep penetration of chemical preservatives. Pressure treated lumber has been infused with preservatives to prevent rot and insect damage. 32524-0915 2 grade lumber, commonly referred to as "#2 & Btr" is used where high design values are required and high appearance in not a factor. Tyrosine phosphorylation and calcium mobilization induced by BCR engagement is diminished in Spi1+/- SpiB-/- B lymphocytes, although many key BCR signaling proteins are expressed, suggesting that Spi-1 and Spi-B regulate expression of additional . Treating systems treated under an approved ICC-ES ESR allow code officials the option to accept these products as equivalent for meeting code, as referenced above. {l@n7gM. The greater the content of preservatives denotes the type and use of the treated wood. Douglas fir has a tight close grain cell structure making it stronger and less prone to warping and twisting than pine. Stud is a fifth designation, meaning its good for a load-bearing wall. Georgia-Pacific Corporation Pressure Treated Lumber - GlobalSpec SYP Dimension Lumber Specifications | Canfor Recommended where appearance and strength are a consideration. s I grabbed an exerpt here and there and put it all together, for I was on a lot of different sites and suppliers. Treated wood is made from strong evergreen species making it suitable for most building projects. outdoor deck question. heat treated vs pressure treated wood When pressure treated it is resistant to decay and termites. check out this FAQ web site. The wood weathers better than untreated wood and wont gray or discolor as quickly. One wide face and both adjacent narrow faces must be free of pith and/or heartwood. WestWood Heat Treated Lumber Production Corporation vapor-stabilization technology is a patented wood heat treatment technology, utilizing a natural thermochemical reaction and steam at temperatures of 230-240 C (450 F) and exclusive of any chemical additives. Dimensional wood from all grades is pressure treated for different uses. #2 or #1 is the quality. A number that identifies the mill where the lumber was produced. materials that may be exported. Southern Pine's ease of treatability has made it the preferred species when pressure treatment with wood preservatives is required. He is passionately interested in home improvement, renovation and woodworking. Bruce, I found more info on the heat treated wood. A specific indicator or a specific method is then used to reveal the depth and consistency of preservative penetration. The type of preservatives, retention level, and year it was treated are identified on the label. Working with pressure treated lumber is similar to working with untreated planks. Inspection Practices for Treated Lumber Products. Charges found non-conforming, either through plant IQC or third-party, are isolated for correction and the corrective actions are to be documented accordingly. Treated wood is made from strong evergreen species making it suitable for most building projects. My electrical answers are based on 2017 NEC, you may have local amendments. The solution protects against insects, mold, mildew, fungus, and rot, and turns the wood a light brown hue. SPIB is committed to assisting our customers meet their treatment goals in the most cost-effective means possible. Using expensive wood that is naturally resistant may not fit the budget. The wood should be at least 6-inches above the ground, have good air circulation and drainage, and the components can easily be replaced. This process is required through the plants Internal Quality Control (IQC) for all treated lumber products to be represented as meeting an applicable standard. Pressure treated wood can also be stained or sealed to enhance its color and for added protection. The grade of lumber is noted SS, #1, #2, #3, or STUD and the price reflects the quality. The best pressure treated wood for decks is Select, #1 or #2 grade wood. Grademarks. Different chemicals have been used in the preservative bath, with changes being made to limit health risks to humans and animals. It often links with the logo or symbol of the association that oversees the grading at that mill. How to Figure Out if Wood Has Been Pressure-Treated, and Why It Matters H\n0l/$x\$-"-! SPIB is subject to continual review by ALSC to ensure that the laboratory and agency records remain in compliance. Suitable for stud uses including use in load-bearing walls. THE TREATING PROCESS, QUALITY AND IQC RESPONSIBILITIES. Kiln-dried wood is crackproof but pressure-treated wood is not guaranteed against warping, shrinkage, or splitting. 2 lumber, which provides good strength at a reasonable price. But in an existing house where the framing is already dry, hell use more stable, and more costly, KD lumber, or even MC-15 lumber, which has a moisture content of 15 percent or less. Hi Raymond, it looks like this 2 in. it's primarily 2x planks. Grades of Lumber - Culpeper Wood Preservers Quality control for treating should be done by an approved inspection agency. This information will then be combined with previous plant data to determine the plant performance status, as mentioned above. Appearance is same as D Finish for thicknesses 4" and less and widths 12" and less. A Production Category is defined as a given preservative, specie and retention combination. Our next Blog will take the samples to the SPIB laboratory for analysis to determine if retention values are conforming. Commonly used for joists, trusses, and other load-bearing applications. But not all defects are obvious. Georgia-Pacific pressure treated lumber is an economical building material that offers all the benefits of wood, plus built-in resistance to decay and termite damage. Recommended for construction where high strength, stiffness and good appearance are desired. Most is not. Select Structural (SS) is the highest grade based on strength and durability. r PDF Treated Span Chart - Culpeper Wood Preservers