whats the difference between brown and green treated lumber

by Ms. Maeve Lowe MD Published 3 years ago Updated 3 years ago

As mentioned, the only difference between Green and Brown timber is the Brown dye used during preservation - this does make Brown timber slightly more expensive to buy. So, when a product is referred to as 'Green timber' you'll know that it's been treated but left in its natural colour.Jul 1, 2021

Full Answer

Is treated wood stronger than non treated?

The difference between regular and pressure-treated lumber is that the treated wood has greater resistance to the elements and to pests. It, therefore, maintains its integrity not from being stronger, but from being rot resistant. How much does pressure-treated lumber cost?

What do you need to know about treated lumber?

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Is untreated or treated lumber stronger?

Pressure treated lumber is no stronger than untreated lumber. The difference between the two is that pressure treated lumber will resist the elements better than untreated, and so will maintain its integrity in conditions that would cause normal wood to rot.

Is green treated wood safe?

Yes, the "new" pressure treated wood is safe for use for raised garden frames with a few precautions! Up until 2003, the most common preservative used for pressure treated wood was chromated copper arsenate (CCA), a compound using arsenic as its primary rot protectant. Click to see full answer.

Is green treated wood better?

Compared to natural wood, pressure treated lumber is much more durable in exposed conditions, though it is also more expensive. It can be used in nearly any outdoor project, including decks, fences, posts, docks, piers or swing sets, and it is just as easy to work with as natural wood.

What is the difference between green and brown wood?

What is brown timber? Brown timber has been treated in the same way as green timber, but a brown dye has been added to the preservative to give a darker brown finish. This dye is simply for colour, it doesn't have any additional preservative quality.May 25, 2021

What is the difference between brown wood and pressure treated wood?

Brown timber is a traditional dark brown coloured wood, which follows the same pressure treated process as green timber to extend the timbers life but the only difference is to achieve the brown colour, a brown dye is added to the copper preservative mix.

Why is pressure treated lumber Brown?

Wood treated without solvents

Although it is a more expensive option, wood that has been pressure-treated using micronized copper azole (MCA), which is a darker brown in colour, is less prone to off-gassing, and the preservative is less likely to wash off.

Is green treated wood the same as pressure treated?

“Green treated” (aka pressure-treated) refers to wood that's had preservatives forced into it, under pressure, to help protect it against decay and insect attacks. Today, the most commonly used preservative is ACQ—Alkaline Copper Quaternary.Mar 5, 2021

How long does brown treated wood last?

40 years

It depends on the climate, the type of wood, its uses, and how well it's maintained. While pressure treated poles can stay up to 40 years without any signs of rot or decay, decks and flooring might only last around 10 years.Oct 5, 2020

What is green wood used for?

Typically, green lumber is best used in outdoor applications where the moisture content will fluctuate with the seasons (rain and high humidity will increase moisture content and wind and sun will decrease moisture content) such as fencing, pergolas, or garden beds.Aug 13, 2020

Can you use green wood for fence posts?

In some instances, like when being used for a fence, green wood is preferable. Green cedar fencing is an industry standard for fences. There is little chance that contraction will occur while the wood is drying because the boards are thin.May 9, 2016

Why is my pressure treated wood green?

The green color you see on treated wood is caused by chemical reactions that take place between the preservative components and the wood. Copper is still the most widely used element in wood preservatives and creates a green color on the wood.

Is brown treated lumber safe for gardens?

Splinters and wood dust can also release chemicals. As well, the treated wood should not be used as edging for a veggie garden. Consider isolating the treated fence from the vegetable garden by lining the raised garden bed with heavy plastic. This would prevent any leaching of toxic chemicals into the soil of the bed.

Does brown pressure treated wood need to be stained?

Not only can you stain treated wood, painting and staining pressure-treated wood is actually good for your new deck. Although the treated wood doesn't need to be protected against rot, staining it will help reduce surface cracking.Jul 1, 2021

What color is treated wood?

Both green and brown treated timber will weather, initially to a honey brown colour before finishing up silvery grey unless stains or paints are applied.

Why is copper used in timber?

Although the chemical is actually dark blue, the copper reacts with the air and oxidises, resulting in the familiar green tint of tanalised timber. The green colour is actually by coincidence, rather than by design.

What is the color of a tanalizer?

As you can see from the image to the right, one has a light green tint and the other is a mid-brown colour. The green colour is a by-product of the tanalising process and due to the fact that the main active ingredient is copper.

Does shade change with timber?

It’s important to note, the shade will vary between all timber species and will change as the timber dries and is exposed to the sun. It is important to note it is not intended to be a decorative finish, it is just the result of the copper oxidising, an industrial process.

Is brown treated wood more expensive than green?

Because of the cost of the dye, brown treated timbers are marginally more expensive than green. This is an industrial preservation process rather than a decorative finish but if you wish to achieve a particular colour or shade, woodstains and paints can be applied to the tanalised timber once it’s dry.

Can you stain wood to get a brown color?

To create the colourway you want, you can stain or paint your timber once dry. To achieve the brown colour we add a brown dye to the chemical mix. Exactly the same process is followed and you are left with a more traditional appearance to the timber rather than being a replacement for woodstains or paint. Because of the cost of the dye, brown ...

What is treated lumber in Quebec?

There are two types of treated lumber widely sold in Quebec: wood treated with alkaline copper quaternary (ACQ), and wood treated with copper azole (CA-B). Both are available in green or brown shades for the residential market, and both meet Health Canada standards.

What is MCA wood?

Although it is a more expensive option, wood that has been pressure-treated using micronized copper azole (MCA), which is a darker brown in colour, is less prone to off-gassing, and the preservative is less likely to wash off. This is because of the specifics of the treatment and colour process: the preservative is in the form of microparticles, which are forced into the wood under pressure, with no solvent involved. As a result, it protects and retains its colour for longer. Another benefit is that its corrosion rate is comparable to that of natural wood, so it can be used with any type of fastener and can be in contact with aluminum in exterior applications.

Does a sandpaper sealer protect wood?

As a result, it protects and retains its colour for longer. Another benefit is that its corrosion rate is comparable to that of natural wood, so it can be used with any type of fastener and can be in contact with aluminum in exterior applications.

Is treated wood toxic?

In fact, the toxicity of treated wood has nothing to do with its colour. Although the dangers of treated wood made headlines a few years ago, 1 today’s products are far less harmful to our health. And they still do the job of protecting your structures against rot, fungus, mould, and insect infestations.

What is ACQ-B wood?

Like ACZA, ACQ-B is able to penetrate Douglas-fir and other difficult-to-treat wood species and is used pri-marily on the West Coast. Wood treated with ACQ-B has a dark greenish-brown color. ACQ-D is manufactured with amine copper, which gives the treated wood a light brown color.

Is pressure treated wood the same as green?

I asked one of the HD employees the same question a few months ago. He said that the new pressure treated wood is the same as the old green stuff except that they added color. He said that the brown pressure treated wood looked better as fence posts than the old green ones did.

What is premium grade lumber?

There is no structural premium grade, it is strictly a term for bright looking wood free of blemishes or knots.

What is the retention level of treated lumber?

The retention level is measured in pounds of chemical per cubic foot of wood (pcf). The longer the wood is in the pressure chamber, the greater the content of chemical preservatives forced into and retained in the wood.

What is ground contact lumber?

Ground contact means anything within 6-inches of the ground or in contact with the ground, foliage, grasses, or over water or wet areas. It may have poor drainage and air circulation, or like a sill plate, is difficult to repair or maintain. Pressure treated wood for ground contact commonly has twice the chemical retention level as above ground rated lumber. UC3B or UC4A are best for ground contact use.

What is the grain slope of 2x8 lumber?

It has a grain slope of 1 in 12, may have seasoning checks, and tight, well-spaced knots up to 2-1/4” on a 2×8. Select grade lumber may have a knothole every 4’ and splits can not be longer than the board is wide. The lumber is stronger than #1 or #2 and is ideal for all structural construction applications.

What is a unified rating?

The result of having a unified rating means the end-tag on lumber identifies how well the wood will stand up in different conditions, regardless of the chemical cocktail it’s been exposed to. There are six different types of pressure treatment ratings, with different categories in some of them.

What is Pt lumber used for?

Some lumber is also treated for fire protection and used throughout different areas of residential, commercial, and industrial construction. There are many other uses for pt lumber, including docks, boathouses, sheds, boardwalks, play structures, gazebos, and the list goes on.

What is CCA wood?

CCA is a mixture of chromium, copper, and arsenic that turns wood green. It was widely used as a preservative from the mid-1930s to 2004. A study by the EPA in 2000 deemed it too hazardous for residential use, and in 2003 the lumber industry agreed to stop using it for residential purposes.

Why do you use lumber treatment?

These treatments help protect lumber from rot, moisture, and burrowing pests—and to prevent the treatment in your lumber from seeping out into the environment. This lumber can often be used in environments where occasional saltwater contact is likely, such as framing over saltwater. Lumber that isn’t safe for ground contact will wear away faster and may even cause damage to the flora and fauna surrounding it.

How is marine lumber treated?

To prepare it for harsh marine environments, wood is pressure treated with a combination of water and preservatives to keep pests away and slow the rate of decay. Different preservatives are suited for different applications and types of wood. Let’s go over some of the most common treatments you’ll see in marine lumber.

What is ACQ in lumber?

ACQ (alkaline copper quaternary) – Contains a quaternary compound including copper and ammonium. ACQ is strong against fungi, insects, and other marine creatures that may damage the integrity of lumber.

What lumber is used for docking?

For decks and docks of all kinds, many contractors choose UC4B and UC4C for the decking and framing. Experienced contractors know that you need to have lumber that is certified for “ground contact” or higher for humid, harsh, or near water applications.

What is the best preservative for marine lumber?

Let’s go over some of the most common treatments you’ll see in marine lumber. MCA (micronized copper azole) and CA (copper azole) – Copper-based preservatives suitable for above-ground, below-ground, and freshwater uses. These treatments penetrate deep into lumber to prevent rot from water exposure and pests.

Is treated lumber bad for the environment?

Using improperly treated lumber is bad for the wood, the environment, and your wallet. So if you’re a homeowner or contractor who isn’t 100% up to speed with the different classifications of treated lumber, let’s break things down.

Is lumber safe for ground contact?

Lumber that isn’t safe for ground contact will wear away faster and may even cause damage to the flora and fauna surrounding it. If you’re looking for lumber to use in an ocean environment, look for wood that is labeled as “marine grade” or classified as UC5B and UC5C.

Less Toxic, But Harmful to Metal

Wood Treated Without Solvents

Although it is a more expensive option, wood that has been pressure-treated using micronized copper azole (MCA), which is a darker brown in colour, is less prone to off-gassing, and the preservative is less likely to wash off. This is because of the specifics of the treatment and colour process: the preservative is in the form of microparticles, wh...

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Construction of Freshwater Docks

Ideally, a dock should be built using tree species containing natural preservative agents that are more rot-resistant as a result, like cedar, larch or hemlock. If a deck is to be built of treated wood, it must be of a type certified for this purpose by Health Canada, like ACQ, CA-B or MCA. The latter (wood pressure-treated with micronized copper azole) is especially recommended for freshwate…