Don’t Lose Money on Lumber: Learn How to Choose the Right Logs for Your Job Site
At Grove Hardware, we’ve been provided construction supplies for decades and if there’s one thing we know, it’s that it can be easy for construction companies to stick to what they know. This isn’t always a bad thing – but it’s not always a good thing either. When is the last time you really thought about what lumber your projects should be using?
We’ve taken it all back to the start and are offering a quick-start guide to the basic facts about lumber options. Our hope is that you can use this information to verify that you’re still using the best products for your jobs, or that you can make a switch if that’s the right choice.
Pressure treated lumber
Though there are a few exceptions, for the most part every job needs rot-resistant lumber, though it can be naturally rot resistant or treated for that purpose. Why? Because any lumber is bound to come into contact with either the ground or concrete.
Pressure treated lumber is lumber that, as the name implies, has been treated by pressure. The purpose of this treatment is to help it prevent insect damage and rot. As a result, it’s a good choice for contact with the ground or concrete. The pressure is created by putting the lumber into a vacuum with an agent like copper that will preserve. Note that in yesteryear, toxic substances used to be used for this. These days, there are non-toxic options.
That said, there are some downsides. First and foremost, it’s a lot heavier than lumber that hasn’t been pressured treated. Likewise, this heft makes it hard to cut. It can also be more expensive than untreated lumber, though it’s typically more affordable than the next option we’re discussing: naturally rot-resistant lumber.
Untreated rot resistant lumber
There are certain types of woods that are naturally resistant to rot. When lumber is made from them, they can be an ideal choice for families with young kids or animals they think will chew on their wood. The options include cypress, redwood, black locust, western cedar, and Pacific yew. The most common available – and least expensive are – redwood, cypress, and western cedar.
That said, even the most affordable of untreated rot resistant lumber is going to be more expensive than pressure treated lumber. It is also much lighter and is easier to cut, which can reduce the labor hours required to use it.
Untreated softwood lumber
It’s possible to use untreated softwood lumber in some jobs but it won’t have the rot resistant elements described above. There are ways to work around that, for example by painting it and sealing it with oil-based enamel, but this adds another step and more expense. This can be an issue when the main advantage of this option is that it’s the most affordable option.
Which of these options is best for your job site? It all depends on the type of construction you’re doing and what your budget is. When you need help from the number one contractor hardware store in Southern California, we know you’ll turn to Grove Hardware.
