Shop Treated Lumber

AW Graham Lumber is Kentucky's one-stop shop for treated lumber for projects big and small! Whether you're building a home or renovating your existing one, you can find a great selection of treated wood for your project, from top-quality pressure-treated dimensional lumber and balusters to treated fence boards and more!

What is Treated Wood? Treated lumber or board is wood that has been infused with preservative chemicals with the intent of prolonging its useful life cycle compared to untreated wood. This process protects the wood fibers from: structural degradation, decay fungi, termites, marine organisms, and fire (in the case of Fire Retardant Treated Wood).

Common Preservative Protection Use Categories - The American Wood Protection Association (AWPA) designates which preservative systems and retentions are effective under specified exposure conditions. These categories help you select the correct lumber for its application:

• UC3A (Above Ground, Coated): Used where wood is not in contact with the ground, but is protected from the weather (e.g., covered porches, interior structural framing).
  
  
• UC3B (Above Ground, Exterior Exposed): Used where wood is not in contact with the ground but is exposed to all weather conditions (e.g., deck boards, railings, fence pickets). This is the most common deck lumber sold.
  
  
• UC4A (Ground Contact): Used where wood is in contact with the ground or fresh water, where severe decay potential exists (e.g., deck posts, fence posts). Requires higher chemical retention.
  
  
• UC4B/UC4C (Foundation/Marine): Used for highly critical structures, foundations, or permanent wood foundations.
  
  

Types of Pressure Treatments - Pressure treatments are typically classified by the type of preservative used:

• Waterborne Treated Lumber: The most common type (e.g., ACQ, MCA), utilized in residential, commercial, and industrial structures. It's often used for decks and porches.
  
  
• Creosote-Treated Lumber: Generally used for treating guardrail posts, railroad ties, and marine timbers due to its harsh, highly effective nature.
  
  
• Oil-Borne Treated Lumber: Often used to treat utility poles and cross arms.
  
  

How Long Does Pressure-Treated Wood Last? Typically, longevity depends on the location, climate, wood type, end use, and maintenance. While pressure-treated timber used in ground contact can last up to 40 years without showing signs of rot or decay, decking and flooring applications exposed to frequent sun and moisture may require replacement or dedicated maintenance after 10 to 15 years to maximize lifespan.

Tips for Building with Treated Decking - To ensure the longest life and best appearance for your deck:

• Wait to Stain: Allow new treated decking to weather and dry for a few weeks to months before applying a sealant or stain. This lets the retained moisture evaporate and allows the finish to properly penetrate the wood fiber.
  
  
• Use Appropriate Fasteners: Always use hot-dipped galvanized or stainless steel fasteners. Standard screws and nails will corrode quickly when exposed to the chemicals in modern pressure treatments.
  
  
• Proper Spacing: Install treated lumber with small gaps between boards (typically an eighth of an inch). As the wood dries, it will shrink, leaving the proper gap for drainage and airflow.
  
  

Are you looking for treated wood for your DIY home building and construction projects? For robust exterior construction projects, GrahamLumber.com, your trusted local lumber store and one-stop shop, offers a wide selection of high-quality treated lumber and boards, all at the Home of dirt cheap prices! As a premier local building supplies provider, our inventory is comprehensive, featuring common dimensional boards like 1x's, 2x4, 2x6, 2x8, 2x10, and 2x12, as well as heavy-duty posts like 4x's and 6x6. We also carry essential materials for outdoor surfaces, including quality treated decking, versatile treated plywood, and other miscellaneous treated wood, plus many more accessories. Located at the junction of Highway 57 North and Maddox Pike in Flemingsburg, Kentucky, USA, this home improvement store proudly serves Kentucky and the surrounding nearby regions, including Ohio, West Virginia, and Indiana; feel free to contact us for your next order.

We also offer a variety of high-quality wood supplies from spruce-pine-fir framing lumber, southern yellow pine framing lumber, rough sawn pine lumber, hardwood plywood, OSB boards, unfinished plywood, fencing materials, wood studs and precuts for framing, pine lumber, and knotty pine boards to complete your projects.