Re: Quality of today\'s pressure treated lumber
Yes. As stated before, it's hard to find commercial lumber that doesn't include the center due to smaller trees being used for 2x4s and 2x6s. Try to find small local sawyers with their own Woodmizers or other mills. They can usually supply better quality lumber at competitive prices. Usually not kiln dried but air dried is fine for construction lumber (15 to 18% water content is fine for most of the US except the Southwest). PT is harder to find from small operators. Pine is one species that often needs to be kiln dried since proper drying sets the pitch. Boards from some pine trees don't bleed too bad and I've had good luck air drying them.
Yes. As stated before, it's hard to find commercial lumber that doesn't include the center due to smaller trees being used for 2x4s and 2x6s. Try to find small local sawyers with their own Woodmizers or other mills. They can usually supply better quality lumber at competitive prices. Usually not kiln dried but air dried is fine for construction lumber (15 to 18% water content is fine for most of the US except the Southwest). PT is harder to find from small operators. Pine is one species that often needs to be kiln dried since proper drying sets the pitch. Boards from some pine trees don't bleed too bad and I've had good luck air drying them.
