More rot resistant than treated lumber?
Hi there everyone,
I’m a long time lurker, now a first time poster.
My question is in regards to choosing lumber for my deck. I’m going to be rebuilding it this year. I’ll be replacing the plywood, waterproof membrane, and some of the structural elements while keeping the original joists. I live in rainy, wet Vancouver, BC, and treated lumber is the norm for deck framing. I’m wondering if using #2 doug-fir for the posts and and stair stringers would be a mistake. I would of course treat them all with Cetol or some similar product.
I find that treated posts check and split over time, and that treated lumber is over all low quality. Should I overlook the low quality of this lumber and use it for its resistance to rot? Will hand treated doug-fir last as long?
The original joists are not treated lumber and are rock solid, showing no signs of rot, although they have been under plywood with a waterproof membrane on top. The deck is a second story unit and forms a carport underneath, so the joists have been exposed to the wet air of BC.
Thanks in advance for your thoughts!
Replies
Yer in Redwood heaven there, use it.
Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
Damm, I miss that stuff
The local decking pro's are telling my daughter that the redwood now is of noticably poorer quality than 5 years ago - and that wasn't anything to write home about... They have gone over to "Brazilian Redwood", aka Macaranduba. Less $$ than redwood and a bit stronger than Ipe.
I actually haven't seen much redwood up here, and don't know much about it other than it has good rot resistance. How is it strengthwise? We have awesome cedar which is good for outdoor use but not nearly as strong as fir. However, I'll definatly check out the redwood angle.
I don't think he's in redwood heaven up there. Worse luck. Doug fir, true firs that are found at sea level in the fyords that far north, hemlock, cedars. Never saw any when working in the woods up there.
To make sure, I googled it:
"The current natural range of the coast redwood is confined to a coastal strip about 450 miles long from the southwest corner of Oregon to southern Monterey county. This strip is 5 to 35 miles wide and covers approximately 2.2 million acres. Old growth redwoods occupy about 200,000 acres, most of which is in state and national parks. About 600,000 acres of coast redwood habitat are in commercial timber production."
Actually, I have seen outliers further south. Lime Kiln SP at south end of Big Sur has some groves hidden up a canyon. Looking at the veggies on the slopes above, you would not think so, but there they are.The ToolBear
"Never met a man who couldn't teach me something." Anon.
I was thinking the reclaimed type from the bridges and wine vats type stuff..
My bad, i'll shut up.
Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
Damm, I miss that stuff
Yes, old growth construction heart. Yummy stuff. Imported for the Canadians, eh?
The water tanks at our outstation at Henry Island were redwood. Wonder who got that when they went plastic?
Used to make fences and picnic tables out of it. I saved my 1x13 RW fence boards and built stuff. Saw a 2x10 of it at Ganahl's for $210. Current fence boards are mostly sapwood (rots well) and perhaps a tinge of pale heart. The ToolBear
"Never met a man who couldn't teach me something." Anon.
aye Laddy, ther is the tree ringin in th' forest, kill it and look how old she was...
I get Sitka spruce , quatrered, aircraft quality . Less than 1/8th inch per foot of deviation of grain run out for 150.00 US per BF.
Guitars need some $ invested if a Luthier is gonna make a dime.
Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
Damm, I miss that stuff
Sounds like nice Spruce.
The unofficial motto of the UW College of Forestry - Wood is Good! But my chain saw is laid in the the garage. Used to be able to invite the Californians, " Come on up; we'll go loggin."
Now most of the gypo mills have folded, the slash burners rust in the weeds, the old growth Doug Fir is going to Japan iin logs (top dollar), it's Spotted Owls all over (think they import and seed them) and OSB is king.
Should you happen upon the visitor center at Cape Perpetua, OR, they had a great film of 1920 railroad logging. Very interesting. Bored the &&&& out of the wife - good film for boys. The ToolBear
"Never met a man who couldn't teach me something." Anon.
Alaska yellow cedar...Hmmm, very nice.
Much cheaper the redwood.
If you go redwood, get old stock from a recalimer.
Deck on...