DuraPine PT wood

Your Exterior Wood Solution

Learn About the best pressure treated lumber in the market.

DRY Pressure-Treated Lumber Minimizes Most Shrinkage Problems

Wood technologists tell us that the fiber saturation level of wood is reached when it holds a moisture content of about 28%. They also point out that wood shrinks approximately 1% for every 4 percent points below the 28% level.

To insure maximum satisfaction then, the lumber should be dried or "pre-shrunk" before installation. Changing conditions such as rain, temperature, sun, shade, and relative humidity will all affect the moisture content of wood. Thus, some changes in its size can be expected. Experience has shown that lumber dried to 19% moisture content, installed outdoors, will undergo limited dimensional changes. Warpage, another result of lumber shrinkage, is also reduced when the wood has been properly dried prior to installation.

All lumber shrinks as it dries. The place for this shrinkage to occur is under controlled conditions at the treating plant, not after it is built in place and part of a structure.

DRY Pressure-Treated Lumber Is Safe, Light & Clean

Today with the heightened concerns about the potential hazards of chemicals, there are two things that should be considered when specifying or purchasing pressure-treated wood: 1) that it is safe, and 2) that it works.

The re-drying of pressure-treated lumber is the only way to insure immediate and complete fixation of the chemicals within the wood cells, providing a safe, clean, and durable building material.

The excess moisture resulting from the treating process adds appreciably to the weight of the lumber. This added weight increases handling costs of the supplier and the builder throughout the construction process. Properly re-dried pressure-treated lumber is the type of wood that carpenters and other workers prefer to handle, cut, and install on any project.

To satisfactorily accept paint, stain, or a coat of water repellent sealer, pressure-treated lumber must be re-dried properly to assure the necessary penetration and adhesion. Moisture trapped inside improperly re-dried wood is the most common cause of paint blistering and peeling. Always follow the paint manufacturer's recommendations.

You should evaluate a lumber product by answering two questions: Is it safe? And, how well does it perform season after season? On both counts, DuraPine® dry-treated lumber by Cox is the best choice.

After Southern Yellow Pine is pressure treated, the fibers are saturated with preservative and water. By redrying the lumber, Cox assures you of maximum chemical fixation in the wood. The result: a higher quality lumber product that is safer for the environment.

Because all treated lumber shrinks as it dries, Cox is able to control that shrinkage at the treatment plant. That way, any normal shrinkage occurs before it reaches the lumber yard, not after you build your project.

As a result, Cox DuraPine® has greater strength and stability. It's more uniform in size, and reduces warping, twisting and cupping. That means your nails or screws have better holding power. So your structure keeps its integrity and its looks far longer. You can paint or stain immediately, without waiting for the lumber to dry, unlike standard treated wood that is still wet from treatment.

DuraPine® by Cox is pressure-treated with Wolman® preservative that provides lasting protection against termites and decay. However, when wood is exposed to the elements, it will age (change color), pick up moisture (in humid or rainy weather), and give off moisture (on hot, sunny, windy days). The effects of this exposure can damage the wood if left unprotected.

• To protect your wood from weather damage, a regular maintenance program is recommended. The frequency of maintenance will vary depending on climate and exposure.

• When your project is completed, we recommend that you apply a water repellent coating. This will restrict the movement of moisture into and out of the wood, and will help minimize swelling and shrinking. It will also reduce the severity of checking, scaling, and cracking that can result from such movement.

• We suggest, at minimum, a yearly application of topical water repellent.

• If your deck shows signs of surface mold or mildew, we suggest cleaning it with one of the commercially available deck cleaners prior to the application of water repellent.

• To prolong the original appearance of your wood, we recommend that you apply a coating which contains ultraviolet light inhibitors and biocides that restrict the growth of surface mold and mildew.

By following this program, your wood will retain its handsome appearance longer, even though exposed to weather.

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