The life expectancy of treated pine lumber can vary depending on a number of factors. Treated pine is typically used for decking, fencing, timbers and posts, or other applications requiring resistance to decay or rot. It could be noted that untreated pine lasts less long than its treated counterparts. As with any outdoor wood product, one may maintain their investment through periodic stain treatments or pressure-treating as needed throughout the life of the product.
Treated Pine Fence Posts
Wood fence posts last much longer when they are set in concrete compared to being set only in the ground. Pressure-treating offers good protection against decay but may not stop wood from rotting if it is buried in the soil where water remains around its circumference.
Porch Decks Treated Pine
A porch deck made of pressure-treated pine can last for many years if the boards are kept oiled. This feature is important because it allows a homeowner to maintain a fresh appearance without reapplying stain every year.
Porch Flooring and Railing Systems
Treated pine decking and flooring, along with railing systems used on porches or exterior stairs typically offer severe decay resistance that is equivalent to that offered by AC2 copper-based products. In some cases, this level of protection lasts as long as 15 years. Some offer a very severe decay treatment solution.
Outdoor Deck Boards and Joists
Decay resistant outdoor deck boards usually last from 7 to 10 years but might be even longer when fastened with stainless steel or hot-dipped galvanized fasteners. When installing deck boards it is important to use deck screws (not nails) and seal the ends with a moisture barrier like caulk, paint, or clear finish or they may begin to cup within one or two years.
How Long does H4 Treated Pine Last in the Ground?
This varies by the type of wood and how it is installed. Treated pine timber for fence posts, timbers and treated pine decking may last longer in the ground when set in concrete or using special pressure-treated screws designed to penetrate concrete or steel post sleeves. In general terms though, you can expect treated pine to last about the same number of years as regular untreated yellow pine when used outdoors. It usually lasts much longer than untreated timber which might already have very severe decay on it.
In most cases, properly treated timber depends on the AC2 Copper Azole in order to last around 15 to 20 years when applied on exterior surfaces such as a deck, porch or retaining walls that experience a great deal of foot traffic. The life expectancy is even greater when hardwoods are stained with an oil-based product to keep them looking fresh.
H3 Treated Pine in Ground
This is the type of pine most often used for fence posts, landscaping timbers and pilings. Expect H3 treated pine to last around 30 years in the ground when installed with pressure-treated screws or stainless steel post brackets. This is not guaranteed, however. It could be noted that untreated pine lasts less long than its treated counterparts.
The length of time that treated pine timber may last in direct ground contact or submerged underwater can vary by species and application method/location. AC2 Copper Azole treated wood lasts around 15 to 20 years when applied on exterior surfaces such as decks, porches, fencing and landscaping timbers that experience a great deal of foot traffic. Some treated pine decking is treated with LOSP (light organic solvent preservative).
How Long will Treated Pine Last in the Ground?
Pressure-treated wood lasts about the same number of years as regular untreated yellow pine when used in direct ground contact or underwater. Unprotected, treated pine may begin to rot in one year if it is submerged underwater.
Treated Pine Lumber can last from less than a year up to 30 years depending on the species and whether it gets wet. While most wood exposed to outdoor elements are protected by some type of preservative treatment, this protection may wear off over time. Once this occurs, your lumber becomes susceptible to decay and insect infestation unless you apply another protective coating or treat it against these threats again yourself. Pressure-treated wood for fence posts tends to last longer because they’re traditionally set deep into holes filled with gravel, or steel post sleeves that offer additional protection from decay and insects.
Does Treated Pine Rot?
Some preservatives, such as AC2 Copper Azole, do a better job of preventing decay and insect infestation than others. This makes them especially useful for outdoor applications where the lumber may be frequently exposed to water. However, no matter which treatment you choose, all treated wood may begin to break down from the moment it’s applied. In other words, if you don’t apply another protective coating or treat your lumber against rot and insects yourself, once your initial protection wears off, then your lumber may eventually rot away even though it was initially protected with a chemical treatment at the factory.
What Protects Pine from Rotting?
Fence posts and timbers used outdoors can last five years or less because they’re not protected from the elements like decking and siding are. That’s why we recommend that you regularly apply a protective coating or treat your unprotected lumber against rot and insects yourself, once your initial protection wears off, then your lumber may eventually rot away even though it was initially protected with a chemical treatment at the factory.
Above ground application
For fence posts and landscaping timbers
- Use AC2 Copper Azole or pressure-treated screws designed to penetrate concrete or steel post sleeves
- Set in concrete
- Use special pressure-treated screws
- Protect the exposed ends with caps, plugs or wrap them in concrete
Underwater application
For wood that may be submerged beneath the water’s surface
- Use ACQ Treated Yellow Pine or stainless steel post brackets
- Set in the gravel
- Protect the exposed ends with caps, plugs or wrap them in concrete
How Long does H4 Treated Pine Last?
H4 treated timber lasts for 15-25 years. In reality, it can last as low as one year and all the way up to 30+.
Where can H4 Treated Pine Timber Be Used?
H4 treated timber can be used for decking, cladding of all types, stairs and beams. H4 treated pine is pressure treatment of timber using a water-based preservative to prevent rot and fungus growth.
Is Treated Pine Timber Safe?
Pine treated with chromate copper arsenate (CCA treated timber) is safe when it’s the original pressure-treated wood. It has been used to make residential lumber and many other products, such as decks, picnic tables, playground equipment and landscaping timbers since the 1950s.
However, CCA-treated wood shouldn’t be burned because arsenic can be released in the smoke. Burning also causes rot in the railroad ties and crossties that have been treated with CCA. For these reasons, you shouldn’t burn railroad ties or crossties in a fire pit or fireplace although railway companies continue to use large quantities of them in general fence posts and driveway gates where they’re likely to end up burned anyways after a period of exposure to the elements.
How Long does Wood Last Untreated?
Untreated pine may last a maximum of 10 years in harsh conditions, but this can be increased if you treat it yourself with a protective coating or at least regularly coat it with water repellent creams. Alternatively, you could consider buying pressure-treated timber from reputable manufacturers.
Untreated pine is also known as greenheart and it’s an ideal choice for fencing posts that have been set into concrete or steel post sleeves because it resists rot and insects very well indeed making it perhaps the best choice for installation in wet areas such as exterior decking boards where untreated pine may often rot over a period of time when exposed to moisture after you’ve installed your fence posts in concrete or steel post sleeves.
How Long can Treated Pine Be Left Out in the Weather?
Treated pine could never be left outside in the elements untreated because it may eventually rot away after a period of exposure to rain and other natural conditions. Although pressure-treated timber is still safe for use only if you apply another protective coating or treat your lumber against rot and insects yourself, once your initial protection wears off, then your lumber may eventually rot away even though it was initially protected with a chemical treatment at the factory. It can last only a couple of years without any adequate protection.
Benefits of Treated Pine
Treated pine is extremely durable, which makes it ideal for use in all types of external carpentry work. For one thing, the protection against rot extends its life span by several years. Unlike untreated green heartwood that can rot away even though it was initially protected with a chemical treatment at the factory. It’s also resistant to termites and other insects, so you’ll never have to worry about infestation by these pests.
Additionally, treated pine resists water absorption so your exterior woodwork may never warp or crack thanks to exposure to rainwater or moisture. This makes it very easy to maintain over time as well as highly durable making it suitable for both commercial and domestic applications alike.
