Sunny forecast for pressure treated wood

GINCE it is designed exclusively tJfor outdoor use. Dressure treated lumber is no stran[er to weather. And as the weather changes lrom rainy season to selling season, a number of Southern lumber dealers have discussed with Building Products Digest how pressure treated products have been selling for them.

"Come this time of year, 400/o of the lumber we sell is pressure treated," says John Mulqueen, Olshan Lumber Co., Houston, Tx. "People start looking outside again. They want to use the pressure treated materials in patios and around hot tubs.

"A couple of years ago, when I was a carpenter. I was afraid of (pressure treated lumber). They said the arsenic content in it could cause cancer and there were warning stamps on every piece. Now people are much more at ease. And to further relax them, I tell them not to walk on it with bare feet until they've applied a water seal and a finish. So far, I haven't had one question about it this season."

Byrum Lumber, Raleigh, N.C., considers the question of safety with pressure treated wood to "never have been a problem, at least not in the South. Still, the EPA has us post signs and pass out safety sheets."

"Safety has never really been a factor, " agrees Harry Katsarelis, Smitty's, Alexandria, Va., which has been selling pressure treated wood for l4 years. "Contractors already know it's only for outdoor use.

"lt has grown steadily over the years in relation to the growing popularity of building decks. The only naturally durable species we sell is western red cedar for fencing. I'll suggest either cedar or pressure treated wood, depending on the appearance the customer wants."

Co., Baton Rouge, La. "There's a lot of moisture out here and we think pressure treated lumber holds up better. We suggest it over the phone and now about a quarter of our lumber sales are pressure treated.

"Any time a new product comes out, it takes a little time. But right now the economy out here is very bad for pressure treated wood and everything else."

"Down here in Florida, the treated is the cheaper product," says Doug Lanier, Wilkerson Lumber, Longwood, Fl. "We'd rather sell the redwood and cedar, but economics favor the more affordable product.

Leitchfield Lumber Co., Leitchfield, Ky., is located near two popular lakes. "More and more, people are buildi4g log cabins with tremendous decks," says Ron Wash. "We also sell redwood and cedar. but pressure treated wood is half the price. Along with the nice weather of late, our pressure treated business has picked up about 200/o over last year."

"Vy'e're trying to get customers away from fir, cedar and redwood," says Jay Dykes, Central Lumber

"More is also being used now due to some of the bigger manufacturers and treaters increasing their lobbying efforts with building inspectors. They are trying to get them to adopt pressure treated wood in their county codes. It's a case ofuntreated wood lasting 25 years and treated wood lasting 50 years. The county has taken it upon themselves to specify the latter."

Conditions seem to be growing better for pressure treated wood all the time.

Story at a Glance

A case-by-case roundup of what southern dealers in states from Florida to Texas to Virginia find customers want in pressure treated wood products... consensus: the future looks good.