"You might be surprised to learn just how long treated lumber can remain intact and untouched by rot, fungi, and insects."
Treated lumber is a popular building material that plays a key role in the construction of many structures in the Pacific Northwest. Our good friend, Dennis McWhirter of Exterior Wood, is an expert on pressure-treated wood—with nearly three decades of experience in the industry. In this series, Dennis provides answers to some common questions and reminds us why treating lumber is one of the best things we can do to help preserve our greatest renewable resource.
In today’s episode, Dennis shares what you need to know about your warranty on your lumber—and how you can prevent accidentally voiding it.
When I’m out in the field working with treated lumber, what should I keep in mind?
The most important thing to remember is that every time you make a cut, you break the seal on that end of the wood. For this reason, we recommend applying end cut solution to the end of any wood you cut.
What happens if I don’t apply the solution?
Dirt particles and water fuse together to create fungus, which causes the wood to rot.
Will my warranty cover that damage?
No. When you don’t seal the ends you’ve cut, you actually void the warranty on the product. Even after 10, 15, or 20 years, you can tell if the wood has been sealed or not, so it's really worth taking the extra time to seal it.
What do I need to know about my warranty?
Our product carries a lifetime warranty to the original owner. The only exception is if a contractor bought treated wood and constructed something for a customer—in that case, the customer should be sure to procure paperwork that states the transfer of ownership to their name.
We hope this video helps you understand more about pressure-treated lumber so you can decide on the best materials for your next project. For more on treated lumber, check out this breakdown of how metal affects pressure-treated lumber or this history of pressure-treated wood’s chemical composition. And be sure to stay tuned for the rest of our series with Dennis.
