How long will treated wood last without stain?

While pressure treated poles can stay up to 40 years without any signs of rot or decay, decks and flooring might only last around 10 years.

Does treated wood need to be stained?

So, even though the wood is treated, it is best to apply a stain--or at least a water repellent--as soon as your project is dry enough. The first tip for working with pressure-treated lumber is to let it dry before using it. Other woods such as redwood and cedar are dry when you buy them.

What happens if you don't stain pressure treated wood?

Without stain, any type of paint or sealant, rainwater, dew or snow can easily penetrate the decking. The wood will then swell until it dries when it will shrink again. This pattern of swelling and shrinking can cause damage to the wood such as splits, checks, splinters, cracks, and other blemishes.

What is the life expectancy of treated wood?

As a whole, the post and lumber specimens indicate an expected durability of over 50 years for creosote-treated wood and over 60 years for wood treated with pentachlorophenol, copper naphthenate, ACZA, or CCA.

How long will a deck last without stain?

After 6 months, the wood will start to lose its color and will begin to fade. Ultimately it will fade to grey or silver.

Pressure Treated wood vs non treated wood used on a deck 2/2

What happens if you don't stain a wood deck?

Your Deck Will Lose its Luster

Over time, the sun's rays will dull and fade the finish. When this happens, a fresh coat of stain can quickly restore your deck's beauty. If you decide to leave your deck alone instead, expect the loss of color and shine to progress until your deck takes on a gray-ish, green-ish hue.

Can you leave pressure treated wood unpainted?

Yes – you can leave anything unfinished, but it will be just that- unfinished. Even the treated lumber will deteriorate and decay with time (though you could be looking at decades of use still)- and it will happen much faster if it is not sealed with a finisher like stain or paint or water repellant.

How long does unstained pressure treated wood last?

In general, pressure-treated wood can last anywhere from nine to 40 years, depending on a few factors. Keep reading to learn more about pressure-treated lumber, its lifespan, and how to extend it as long as possible.

How do you make treated wood last longer?

Adding a sealant or painting pressure-treated wood provides an extra layer of protection against moisture and insect infestations, making your wood last longer. You can seal garden bed lumber with an oil-based sealant for protection against chemical leaching.

Can treated wood still rot?

Rot is a Real Threat for Any Wood

Pressure-treating can make wood water-resistant, but it's not 100 percent rot-resistant. Any time the wood moves, bends, or cracks, water can enter. While this may seem worrisome, the key is to keep the water away.

Should you stain or paint treated wood?

Because of the pressure-treating process, exterior paint is less likely to adhere to pressure treated wood and more likely to peel. Some experts advise staining or sealing over painting, but paint can be successfully applied by following extra precautions.

Is it worth staining pressure treated wood?

Staining pressure-treated lumber prevents cracks and splits caused by seasonal changes, prolongs its life, and preserves its natural beauty. Enhance the appearance of your deck, fence, picnic table, or other exterior wood structure by adding fade-resistant color for a finished look you'll enjoy for years.

Does treated wood need to be sealed?

Although treated wood is protected against decay and termite attack, the application of a water-repellent sealer to all exposed wood surfaces is recommended upon completion of construction. This sealer will help control surface checking (splitting or cracking) and provide an attractive appearance.

Does treated wood change color over time?

Will Pressure-Treated Wood Turn Grey? Without any stain or sealant on the wood, it will eventually turn grey. You can reverse some effects of this with pressure washing, but ultimately the best way to protect your wood is with stain. This will extend the life of your fencing and keep it looking pristine.

What happens if you paint treated wood?

Your Board Will Warp

If you paint treated lumber before it's dry, you cause the non-painted side to dry faster. And when one side dries faster than the other, you get warping. You're better off waiting until the wood is dry; otherwise, you'll end up with warped wood, peeling paint, and a big project.

Why can't you paint treated wood?

Pressure treated wood needs time to dry out before it's primed or painted. You can expect 3-4 months before the moisture levels fully go down. If moisture beads up on the surface, it's still too damp. You'll know the treated wood is ready to paint when it absorbs water instead of repelling it.

How do you maintain treated wood?

ULTRAVIOLET PROTECTION

If you're looking to maintain the original color of pressure-treated wood longer, you will need to not only clean your deck periodically, but also apply a water-repellent finish with an ultraviolet stabilizer. The stabilizer will not prevent eventual discoloration, but will slow the process.

What makes wood last longest outdoors?

LOW MAINTENANCE AND MOISTURE-RESISTANT

The best woods for water resistance are hardwoods that have a straight grain and dense woods that prevent moisture from penetrating a structure. Among one of these options is cedar wood.

Does treated wood need to breathe?

It's best to apply a "breathing," clear-oil dressing or a water repellent to pressure-treated lumber right after it's installed. This will prevent cracking and discoloration during the seasoning period, prior to staining.

Does staining pressure treated wood help preserve it?

Not only can you stain treated wood, painting and staining pressure-treated wood is actually good for your new deck. Although the treated wood doesn't need to be protected against rot, staining it will help reduce surface cracking.

Will painting pressure treated wood make it rot?

Generally speaking, creating conditions that trap moisture in wood will make decay more likely. we do not recommend paint or other "film formers" because they do not allow wood to breathe, and they can be more challenging to maintain or refresh than penetrating stains.

Does pressure treated wood lose its chemicals over time?

Then, as the wood dries, moisture leaches out, causing a few issues. For one, the wood can often warp and shrink as the moisture leaves, making it unsuitable for fine woodworking projects. As well, as the chemicals leach from the wood over time, they penetrate the soil or water around them.

What should never be done with pressure treated wood?

Does pressure treated wood need to season before staining?

It's important to wait until your pressure-treated wood is completely dry before applying stain, as the chemicals used to treat the wood often leave additional moisture behind. Drying times range anywhere from a few weeks to a few months, depending on such factors as weather and climate.

Can you just seal a deck and not stain it?

A: It's really up to you. Just staining the deck will give you the color you want, although in high-traffic areas the stain could wear away quickly. Many deck companies recommend using a combination stain/sealer product, which is basically a sealer with pigment added.