Blog Post

When To Use Pressure Treated Lumber And When To Avoid It

  • By Admin
  • 04 Apr, 2018
Picture of a Lumber

When it comes to choosing the right lumber for a specific home project, the decision begins with the type of wood. All lumber, from the common 2x4 to specialty marine plywood, is either pressure treated or not. Pressure treated wood does last longer without rotting and resists insect damage, but it's not right for every purpose either.

Not sure whether you need pressure treated wood or should avoid it for a particular use? Learn when to use both types of lumber, so your project goes smoothly, lasts as long as possible, and puts you and your family at as little risk as possible.

Direct Contact with a Source of Moisture

Use pressure treated wood in any situation where there's direct contact between the wood and anything that could supply moisture. This means posts in contact or buried underground obviously, but it also includes any lumber touching concrete or masonry since it's porous and wicks water like a sponge.

As long as there's a good chance that moisture can reach the wood, it should be pressure treated. This is why the International Building Code requires that siding and structural lumber used for the last six inches of the structure above the ground is pressure treated. Subflooring in the kitchen and bathroom may also be pressure treated since water leaks are common in these rooms and subflooring is inaccessible to the residents.

Opportunity for Contact with People and Pets

So if pressure treated wood resists the damaging effects of moisture and insects, why isn't it used for your entire home? It's because the chemicals used to pressure treat wood aren't safe for humans. You can find arsenic in all older pressure treated lumber and some new materials, while copper is widely used in even the newest pressure treatment formulas.

If you touch the wood and pick up these chemicals and then rub your eyes or eat some food, you could ingest something that could make you sick over time. This is why non-pressure treated wood is still required for use indoors, and why builders recommended that you only use pressure treated lumber for the support structure of a deck and switch to untreated wood for the surface.

Any location where pets and kids spend time regularly should be built with non-treated wood. This includes play sets, decks, raised beds in gardens, and more. Using a naturally rot-resistant wood, like cedar is a better compromise that is potentially putting your loved ones at risk for serious health problems.

Sealant to Increase Safety

Of course, sometimes you just can't build something safely without using pressure treated lumber. It's better to use treated lumber and know your deck will be secure in a few years than try to use untreated wood for the supports and watch them rot away rapidly. If you're using pressure treated lumber and are concerned about its risks, applying an oil-based sealant is the best protective measure.

Oil-based sealants have been shown to limit the amount of arsenic, copper, and other compounds reaching the surface of the wood. Since the primary risk from treated wood involves touching the surface to transfer the chemicals, a suitable sealant is enough to protect you and your family.

There's no need to worry about making treated wood safer that is completely covered in other materials and hidden from access, such as subflooring. Pressure treated wood doesn't release any gases or particulates that could harm you and your family. If you're not touching the wood or exposed to its sawdust, there's basically no risk.

Regardless of whether you need pressure treated or untreated lumber for your project, we have both types in stock in every size and shape here at Lyons Lumber Co.​

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The type of siding you have on your home determines how frequently your home's exterior needs to be painted. Wood siding, for example, should be repainted every three to seven years, while brick paint jobs can last upwards of a decade.

Whether you want to paint your home's exterior for personal enjoyment or to preserve your home's siding, the right paint color is key to keeping your home's curb appeal fresh, modern, and inviting. If you're stuck on what hue to paint your home's outside, consider classic white, light gray, or other lighter colors. Here are reasons why light tones are best for your home's exterior.

You Hide Minor Siding Flaws

Any cracks, blemishes, dents, stains from mold or mildew, or missing siding panel issues will not alleviate themselves with a fresh coat of paint. However, lighter paint colors will diminish the appearance of minor siding flaws to give your home a more renovated, well-kept appeal. Softer colors reflect light, allowing blemishes to be more hidden by visual trickery.

Before painting your home's exterior, power wash your siding and fill large cracks or crevices with cement putty or other filler. You can buy your paint and hardware supplies from your local lumberyard or home improvement store.

You Highlight Landscape Features

The main reason for painting your home's exterior is to add curb appeal. Your home isn't the only part of your property that improves with fresh paint, however. The surrounding landscape benefits as well.

What are the main focal points you want highlighted in your yard? A decorative rock garden near your front entryway? A charming stone walking path? If you paint your home a too-dark hue, like navy or brick red, the focal points in your main yard get lost in the rich color tones.

Lighter paint colors, like eggshell white, buttercream yellow, and pastel shades of darker colors, create a soft backdrop for your landscape features. Your home blends into the background, allowing your landscape to become the best focal point of your property.

You Highlight Dimensional Home Features

A lighter color will make your home's unique features stand out. An ornate glass door, window shutters, bump-out additions or bay windows, and other home features are given grander appeal when you select a lighter shade for your entire home.

The key to painting your home a lighter color to highlight the property itself is this: select the same color for the entire main part of the home's exterior, then choose a neutral dark color - consider slate gray, navy, or rich brown - for all trim work. Your home is given a more clean, uniform appeal without appearing too busy.

You Stay Trendy

Color trends come and go. A classic neutral shade of tan, cement gray, or another light tone for your home's exterior allows you to stay on top of decorative trends. Your home's exterior is also less likely to clash with interior renovations and style upgrades as trends change, allowing you to keep your current paint color until your siding choice indicates it's time for a paint touch-up.

When painting your home's exterior, the finish you choose for your paint job is as important as the paint color itself. Finishes vary from a high gloss to a pure matte design; speak to your painting specialist  to see which type of finish is best for your home. A slight sheen is easy to clean and reflective, creating an ideal finish for your home's lighter shade.

Always use paint designed for outdoor use on your home. Our paint mixing specialists will select the right color and finish for your home’s exterior and help you select the right amount of paint for the job. Visit us at Lyons Lumber Co. today.
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Before you have paint mixed, you need to know the type of finish you want. The finish is the sheen that paint colors give off, especially when light is shone on them. Some paints are shinier than others and therefore more appropriate with certain colors or applied in particular rooms.

Here is a guide to help you choose the best finish for your interior paint depending on your needs and desires for each room.
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Since window treatments are one of the only indoor fixtures that are partially visible from the street, you might be more than a little nervous about choosing the right blinds for your home. Fortunately, by knowing what to look for, you can streamline your shopping experience. Here are four things you should consider before investing in new blinds for your home.

Desired Light Level

One of the first things you will need to decide when you shop for blinds is the desired level of light inside of your place. While some people like blinds or shutters that let the light pour in, others like window treatments that block the harsh rays of the sun.

Keep in mind that larger slats will let more light in, while smaller slats create more of an ambient glow inside of your home. Additionally, some blinds are better behind things like curtains, so if you intend to hang some, ask the window treatment professionals you work with which ones would be best.

Your Energy Bill

In addition to filtering the light into your home, blinds can also be a powerful source of energy savings. Since some blinds are made of solid wood and others are created to provide insulating pockets of air against the window, the blinds you choose could help you to cut down on your monthly power bill.

In fact, honeycomb blinds have been shown to shield as much as 62%  of heat transfer, keeping carefully heated air indoors during the winter and heat-generating UV light outside during the summer. If energy savings is a priority for you, look for window treatments with blackout technology or a high R-Value.

Décor Aesthetic

Unfortunately, even the most energy efficient blinds might cause buyer's remorse if you can't stand to look at them. Before you head to the window treatment store, think carefully about your home décor and design aesthetic. As you shop, look for blinds that would meld with your style.

For example, if you have a clean, modern home, honeycomb shades might lend a gentle touch to the windows, while large, wooden slats may throw off the look of your home. To make the shopping process easier, take note of the materials used throughout the rest of your home, including hardware, crown molding, and trim.

Consider matching materials and color shades if you can to make your blinds blend in. For instance, if you have white trim and crown molding throughout your home, white wooden blinds might be the perfect addition.

Your Cleaning Commitment

Those newly installed blinds might look gorgeous now, but after a few months, you might be faced with a serious Saturday cleaning project on your hands. Over time, dust and debris build up on window treatments, and kids with sticky hands and curious fingers can make a mess of your blinds fast.

When you shop for blinds, think carefully about your personal commitment to cleaning, and what you are willing to do when it comes to your blinds. Keep in mind that some blinds have special cleaning needs because they are made from porous materials like wood.

After you have an idea of what you are willing to do when it comes to your blinds, look for window treatments that match your level of commitment. For example, if you have a busy lifestyle and a packed schedule, consider picking blinds that are easy to wipe down in a hurry. On the other hand, if you like a more formal look and have the time to handle more in-depth deep cleanings, shop to your heart's content without worry.

When you have an idea of the blinds you want for your home, visit Lyons Lumber Co. In addition to carrying a wide array of building materials including premium lumber, fasteners, and shingles, this friendly hardware store also offers a massive selection of high-end paints, window treatments, hand tools, cleaning supplies, and light fixtures.
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Here are a few more reasons you should consider installing plantation shutters.
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If you want to incorporate more wood in your home, read on to learn how it could actually be the most sustainable building material you could choose and how to make sure it’s 100% eco-friendly.
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Timber was once the only material available for windows but modern materials such as aluminum and vinyl have become more commonly used in recent decades. While both materials have their benefits, timber windows are well worth considering as an option for your home. Here are four excellent reasons why timber is a great choice for your home's new windows.
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