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9 mighty woods for outdoor projects

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• Choose wisely
• Woods for outdoor projects
• Treated woods are common choices
• White oak
• Top of the line
• Rot proof composites

Treated woods are common choices

Pressure-treated pine

Treated woods are common choices

Wood treated with ACQ: the economical choice

Early in 2004, the old CCA (chromated copper arsenate) treatment that contained arsenic was replaced by various treatments, but the most common is ACQ (alkaline copper quat). In spite of its shortcomings, ACQ-treated wood holds up well. It might crack, warp, or shrink, but it won't rot or prove tasty to insects.

ACQ is a water-based preservative forced deep into the lumber, usually Southern yellow pine. Consequently, the lumber is saturated when banded and shipped. This practice makes treated wood heavy and prone to the troubles listed previously. To avoid these tendencies, you can air-dry treated lumber for two warm months, or purchase KDAT (kiln-dried-after-treatment) lumber. The downside: cost (usually double the wet stuff) and the need to special-order it from lumberyards or home centers beforehand.

Because the preservatives are accepted only by the sapwood, heartwood of pressure-treated lumber is not decay resistant, typically appearing tan or pink instead of green.

Continued on page 4: White oak

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Comments (9)

ke5gwl wrote:

How about Spanish Cedar? Woodworkers Source has it on sale. Lewis

7/20/2012 05:57:23 PM Report Abuse

mmyjak wrote:

Wow.. you almost covered all the bases. WHAT about Thermo-Treated wood? Its the perfect, eco-friendly outdoor wood. No Poisons, plastics or problems.

7/19/2012 09:00:10 PM Report Abuse

mmyjak wrote:

You can use a clear vinyl sanding sealer on cypress. You should be able to topcoat w/out much problem.

7/19/2012 08:51:26 PM Report Abuse

dsoliah wrote:

I have used Cypress for years for Adirondack chairs - I have yet to find a finish that works well on cypress, contrary to the statement it accepts finish as well as cedar and redwood -

7/19/2012 11:19:07 AM Report Abuse

wetzelswoodshop wrote:

black locust is also another good out door wood along with sassafras. G.wetzel

7/19/2012 10:55:25 AM Report Abuse

mapleMoose wrote:

What about new-tech, non-toxic treated woods? - Glass wood (like TimberSIL) - Heat treated wood (like WestWood or Thermo Wood)

7/19/2012 10:35:59 AM Report Abuse

pfalzon wrote:

Oops! I meant the handle of the frying pan.

6/9/2011 03:29:43 PM Report Abuse

pfalzon wrote:

I used purpleheart to replace the one that broke off on a frying pan. It has been in and out of the dishwasher hundreds of times in the past 10 years. Still going strong!

6/9/2011 03:28:39 PM Report Abuse

keith.park wrote:

The wood that I used for a boat transom was purpleheart. Rot resistant and absolutely beautiful to look at. Found it better priced than the equivalent thickness in marine plywood. Tough to work with.

5/27/2011 03:42:42 PM Report Abuse