I have an 1870’s house that I have added a large covered porch to the rear. I plan on using a turned spindle for the rails. I need over 200 spindles and assumed I should use treated. Checking the stock at the local home centers, I was quite dissappointed at the quaility of the treated stock (there was significant chipping and tearout from the turning). There was a night and day diffrence compared to interior spindles (of course those were 2x-3x in price). There are not any close lumber yards to check thier stock.
I have used treated wood on some window sills I replaced and although the wood seemed dry enough I had paint adhesion problems.
If I am going to paint these spindles does it matter what material is used?
Thanks,
Carl
Replies
Use WR cedar or Spanish cedar - you should have CinderWhit quote it - this is their line of business, especially c. 1870:
http://www.cinderwhit.com/stock.html
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By the way, in general, shopping for much of anything to go into an 1870s house at the home centers is suspect. The learning curve to know what to do - and not do - is actually pretty steep (I've been at it only 30 years).
Jeff
Edited 3/10/2009 10:23 pm ET by Jeff_Clarke
"Treated" as in pressure treated?
For porch spindles?
Hell no.
Cedar.
J. D. Reynolds
Home Improvements
Proud recipient of the BT 'Truth In Print' award.