We probably -are- going to go with untreated wood and then seal it with maybe an oil base, as the treated stuff has too many nasties embedded in it; and cedar is just too pricey.
I can tell you what un-treated lumber looks like after only a few years, unless you re-seal it every two years. You won't like it.
Chromated copper arsenate is no longer available for treated lumber anyway, thanks to our legislators knee jerk reaction to the miniscule amount of arsenic that would require eating an entire 18' 2x12 to sicken someone.
Now the treatment method is called ACQ - I don't know what that stands for. Same benefits without the toxicity. The only drawback is that you must use double-dipped galvanized - or, better: stainless steel - fasteners. The chemicals are extremely corrosive to ferrous metal, and any chip in the coating will cause the fastener to be destroyed in short order.
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branchandroot
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Date: 2007-02-23 18:06 (UTC)I can tell you what un-treated lumber looks like after only a few years, unless you re-seal it every two years. You won't like it.
Chromated copper arsenate is no longer available for treated lumber anyway, thanks to our legislators knee jerk reaction to the miniscule amount of arsenic that would require eating an entire 18' 2x12 to sicken someone.
Now the treatment method is called ACQ - I don't know what that stands for. Same benefits without the toxicity. The only drawback is that you must use double-dipped galvanized - or, better: stainless steel - fasteners. The chemicals are extremely corrosive to ferrous metal, and any chip in the coating will cause the fastener to be destroyed in short order.