Find Out If and How You Can Stain Pressure Treated Wood
Pressure-treated wood is great for building outdoor furniture and structures, planning a DIY project in the garden, or adding a fence, or an enclosure. This type of timber is sturdy and will withstand the elements while keeping its strength and appearance intact for many years.
But working with pressure-treated wood is different than handling normal timber, so here is what you need to know about how it responds to staining and how to do it efficiently.
What Is Pressure Treated Wood?
To resist weather changes, moisture and prevent rot, mold, and pest attacks, wood can be treated with preservatives. Some treatments can even make the wood fire-resistant, adding an extra element of safety to your environment.
The process through which the timber receives these treatments involves the exposure of wood to high pressure, which pushes preservatives and other treatments deep into the fiber of the wood. After this process, the manufacturer can sell the pressure-treated timber as it is or dry it (air dry or kiln-dry).
Can You Stain Pressure Treated Wood?
Pressure-treated lumber can be stained, as long as it’s dry. Depending on the manufacturer’s process, you can get the wood already dry or you will have to wait for it to dry completely before staining.
Why stain already treated wood? While pressure-treated lumber will be resistant to pests, water damage, and mold, it might still need a layer of high-quality wood stain, sealant, or paint to protect it from sunlight and other forms of damage. Not to mention, it will look much better and you can integrate it into the design you want.
What Can Go Wrong?
Before you apply a deck stain or any other top layer on pressure-treated wood, make sure the fibers are completely dry. You can check that by dribbling a few drops of water on the surface of the wood. If it’s absorbed quickly, the wood is dry, but if the water is repelled or pools, you will have to wait a few more days.
If you apply the stain/seal/paint too soon before the wood dries, it will be patchy, cracked, and not as efficient as it should be. If you wait too long before applying the stain, the wood will be exposed to ultraviolet light and its structure can be damaged by it.
Contact a Team of Experts
If you are interested in using pressure-treated decking and timber for your outdoor projects, contact our expert team at Metro Building Products. We carry the materials you need for your project and will offer free consultations on what kind of timber to use, how it will behave and how to maintain it. Check our website for a gallery of projects and product pages that will surely inspire your next outdoor renovation or construction.