FAQ

Pressure Treated Lumber FAQ
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Should I space my pressure-treated wood fence pickets during
installation?
Similar to pressure-treated deck boards, some shrinking will occur as the pickets
dry. Butting pickets together during installation will minimize the gap left between
the pickets when they dry.
Can treated lumber be used indoors?
Yes, treated lumber may be used indoors for any application except cutting
boards and countertops.
Why can I use treated lumber for a picnic table but not a countertop?
Picnic tables are primarily used for serving pre-prepared food, while a kitchen
countertop is used primarily for preparing food and often as a cutting surface for
raw food.
Can treated lumber be used for gardening?
Yes. Treated timbers used to construct raised vegetable gardens and flowerbeds
are increasingly popular and practical. Recent scientific tests prove there is no
significant uptake of preservatives into plants. And treated wood used for tomato
stakes, flowerbed edging, planters, retaining walls, trellises and compost bins
have the added advantage of lifetime durability.
Should I space my pressure-treated deck boards during installation?
Ultimately, your deck boards should have an edge gap between ¼ inch and ⅜
inch to allow for proper ventilation and for debris to pass through.
However, most pressure-treated lumber decking that is sold through lumberyards
and box retailers has high moisture content (meaning it’s wet) — so the boards
are swollen. Always butt wet boards tight against each other or leave a
minimal gap. Your wet deck boards will contract and create a wider gap as they
dry. This could happen in a relatively short period of time (days to weeks) or may
take longer depending on your climate and exposure to the sun.
If the wood is dry or has been kiln dried, install deck boards with approximately ¼
inch gap to allow for proper ventilation and for debris to pass through.
Wet or dry, boards should be installed tight end-to-end.
Note: Each piece of lumber is different and the change in width can vary as each
board dries.