Does pressure treated wood matter If.....

[pilonidal]

I am building a pergola over the deck and have used pressure treated for everything. This is an on going project I started last year with putting in the support posts and main support beams. I am staining the entire thing with an opaque stain from Sherwin Williams. I have used both the deckscapes, meant for pressure treated wood/decks and woodscapes, meant for wood siding and neither one really penetreates the wood. They both kind of form a skin over the wood. Even the wood seasoned since last year doesn't allow good penetration, I let the wood I bought this year set for 3 weeks to get the surface wettness off, but it obviously wasn't near long enough.
I am now building a table for the deck with regular wood and staining it and it really soaks in good. The pergola is a big one and I may finish it this fall, it's to hot now.
Is it okay to use regular stained wood to finish the pergola as the wood won't be in contact with the ground? Is pressure treated necessary?

 

[Cowboyjg]

NO......but, you might want to Thompsonsize it prior to staining. Allow the wood to sit long enough for the Thompsons to have been absorbed. Another route would be to poly with a Satin finish. Over time it will dull, although I think you'll always be able to tell the difference. Heck, you'll be able to tell the difference between the treated and non treated. If that doesn't bother you though, have at it. BTW....seeing as you've used treated to this point, don't go to rough sawn as you'll see the difference immediately.

 

[shvl73]

I would avoid any type of poly for exterior use. It will crack and peel. To re-coat you would need to sand it all down. I'd use a good stain/sealer such as Sikkens.

 

[Cowboyjg]

I would avoid any type of poly for exterior use. It will crack and peel. To re-coat you would need to sand it all down. I'd use a good stain/sealer such as Sikkens.

Absolutely correct.....My bad.....something short circuited. I'll look into it today...LOL