should i use treated wood or non-treated wood for my patio?

Question

The folks at the lumber yard told me people typically use untreated Douglas Fir to make outdoor patios. I'm wondering why I shouldn't use more durable treated wood.

Answer 1

I live in east Texas and all the patios built in this region are built out of treated lumber or composite materials. Untreated lumber would quickly rot in our climate. They have recently changed the chemical treating process and it is no longer an issue as before and it doesn't rub off onto anything -- including your skin. But either wood would need preserving with an exterior grade stain/sealer.

Answer 2

Rachel has apparently never built with treated lumber, if she had, she would realize how heavy it is and how wet it is. That being said it is very prone to twisting and bending, not something you'd want in a rafter. I live near Buffalo N.Y. and I would only use treated on the posts and the fascia(top board at the roof line). Be sure to get the posts headed off or stabilized quickly because they WILL twist-if you don't this will make your build a nightmare. If it is just going to be a roof with legs (so-to-speak) I would recommend installing a railing around it, even if only temporary(this will keep your post from twisting too much), you might not like the way they look if they twist. Another material you could use is composite. Check to see if they have a post available, they may not have them available yet. Your other option is to cover the wood with a vinyl wrap. I did this on my father-in-laws porch, we used "untreated" 4x4's on a box-plate(this keeps the bottom of the wood from contacting anything-i primed it anyway) It looks really good and will be maintenance free for many years.

Answer 3

Arsenic used to be used to treat wood and there were safety concerns ... no longer. Other things are used now. I have used a lot of treated wood and swear by it. You will end up with termites and rot in your patio. No, the stuff doesn't stink, and I think it's safe as long as you don't plan on dining on a piece of wood. I plan on building a gazebo this summer ... nothin' but treated baby. Let it dry for most of the summer, then treat it with something like Thomsons water seal.

Answer 4

Untreated Douglas fir would rot very fast where I live because of the wet weather.
Maybe if you live where it's very dry you could use untreated wood? Even if you live in the desert, you would still want to treat the wood with an UV protectorate .
There are some very good alternatives to treated lumber on the market now. The initial cost is high, but maintenance costs are very low and there is no chemical residue to worry about.

Answer 5

Treated wood has a smell, and the stuff they use to treat it would rub off on your cloths (if you sat down) or shoes, and get tracked into your house. It's not something you want that close to you. Usually you finish the deck with a varnish, or polyurethane

Answer 6

Definitely use treated wood! If not , in the future you can open
the opportunity for termites. Or as my recent experience,
carpenter bees ( which bore large holes in the wood, and will
eventually destroy your structure.

Answer 7

the purpose of treated wood is to withstand the elements, rot and termites to last for years.

Answer 8

That's rubbish , use treated.

Answer 9

I`m sure douglas fir is more expensive than treated lumber. you can use whichever one you want.

Answer 10

untreated works best..(is cheaper) so when you stain it.. The stain has something to absorb into.