Pressure Treated Decks
The majority of decks in Canada are constructed from pressure treated wood, and with good reason. Pressure treated wood is a natural, durable, low-cost building material that can be used in a variety of ways.
The amount of upkeep and maintenance a pressure treated deck requires varies widely. It’s very much the case that you get out of your pressure treated deck what you put into it. While a well maintained pressure treated deck can last up to forty years, and still look great, ill-maintained decks can split and crack their way to looking old and beaten up in less than ten years.
Pressure Treated Decking FAQ
What is pressure treated wood?
Pressure-treated wood is any wood (usually a softwood such as pine or fir) that has been infused with chemicals that make it rot and insect resistant.
I’ve heard these chemicals in pressure treated lumber are dangerous, is this true?
Up until 2003 pressure treated wood was manufactured using a chromated copper arsenic (CCA) treatment process, which raised certain health concerns. Due to these health concerns, pressure treated wood manufacturers have phased out the CCA process. For more information, please read Health Canada’s assessment of CCA.
Since 2003, pressure treated wood has been manufactured using an alkaline copper quaternary (ACQ) treatment process, which has been approved as safe for humans and animals. Due to its treatment, however, pressure treated lumber should never be burned.
When should I first stain or treat my new deck?
You should wait at least one month after the construction of your pressure treated deck to apply the first coat of stain or sealant, and in certain cases up to two or three months.
