Find the Right Pressure-Treated Wood for All Your Outdoor Projects

Pressure-treated wood is a rugged type of lumber used primarily for outdoor building projects. That’s because the pressure-treating process makes the wood rot-resistant to fungus, insects, and most importantly, moisture. Pressure-treated lumber should be used in any application where there's direct exposure to moisture such as posts sunk into the ground or contact with concrete or masonry. This makes it ideal for backyard decks, fences, gazebos, pergolas, picnic tables, swing sets, and underwater dock supports. Pressure-treated plywood is also available and is a popular choice for building backyard sheds. PWF (permanent wood foundation) lumber is used for below-grade, light-frame construction in buildings up to three stories, with a footprint up to 600 square metres.

You can apply an exterior wood stain or wood paint to pressure-treated wood, but you should give it a few months to properly dry out first. However, you do need to apply a pressure-treated wood preservative to your project immediately upon completion. Pressure-treated wood is resistant to rot but is still subject to weathering from the elements.