Framing lumber, unlike money, does grow on trees, so there's always the chance it will have some natural defect, such as a large knot or a long split, that can reduce its overall strength. TP’s expertise includes Engineered Wood Products, Export Wood Packaging – ISPM15, Glulam, Log Homes, Panels & Plywood, Truss, Treated Wood, Lumber Grading including Transient Lumber, Wood Pellets and Utility Poles. Tools needed to complete the task: 1. We’ve been northern Michigan’s lumber experts since 1904. You may see the stamp marked with 'above ground' 'construction', or 'interior'. Is treated wood as strong as regular wood? #2 lumber, also called standard, has a rougher, knottier look. A. Gene Wengert responds: Most treated lumber carries two stamps: The grade stamp indicates the condition before treatment; the treatment stamp … Pressure-treated lumber grades are assigned based on appearance. Certification mark 5. There’s a lot of information – what’s in the product, which body certified it, and – if you know how to decipher the label – how you can use it. Most builders and remodelers use pressure treated lumber to build exterior decks, and the AWPA standard effectively matches retention to where in the structure the wood is used. Pressure-treated lumber is divided into two grades, #1 and #2, based on the appearance and composition of the wood. x 120 in.) The mark will be either a logo of the agency, Wood, Vinyl, or Chain Link Fence: Pros and Cons. It is recommended that the buyer specify pressure-treated wood bearing ink-stamped quality marks and/or plastic end tags denoting the material was produced under supervision of an independent inspection agency accredited by the ALSC. Marine Treated Wood/Seawall Grades Marine treated lumber, timber and piles are pressure-treated with higher concentrations of Wolman® CCA preservative to withstand the harsh exposures and destructive organisms common in marine environments.Retention levels range from 0.40 pcf for soil contact to 2.50 pcf for saltwater immersion. 3. Poke around on the site and find out all the reasons why it’s awesome. Can you paint pressure treated lumber? The American Wood Protection Association (AWPA) is a non-profit organization which promulgates voluntary wood preservation standards. #1 lumber, also called premium, is the higher grade, with very few knots, warps, or other blemishes. This process creates a more durable material. It's best used in interior construction. So we can help you choose the right wood for your specific project. The 2 in. Find out where you can buy SYP here. It's then identified by a stamp and often inventoried by its grade and species. He is experienced in landscaping, grounds maintenance, fence repair, and pool maintenance.  You’ll see either the letters “SYP” on the piece or the letters “SPIB” on it. This is going to be the most important part of the stamp. PT means Pressure Treated. Since 2013. The lumber industry goes to great lengths to make sure consumers and commercial builders understand exactly what they’re buying from the big box store or lumber yard by putting this info on each piece that heads out the door. PT means Pressure Treated. Let’s talk about just a few of these elements. #1 Grade Lumber. Some retailers sell only Ground Contact lumber if the lumber is pressure treated. More importantly, on each piece of lumber, they’ll learn critical information to make sure the material is the exact right fit for the job. First, here’s how you can tell your piece of lumber is Southern Yellow Pine. MSR lumber is intended for any engineered application where low variability in strength and stiffness properties is primary product consideration, e.g. The folks over at This Old House did a fantastic job breaking down these five items so we encourage you to look at that article. Stair Treads and Risers for the Outdoor ... Stair Treads and Risers for the Outdoor Deck. Certification mark 5. The lumber association with a mark or logo. PT lands in two basic camps: Ground Contact and Above Ground. DoItYourself.com®, founded in 1995, is the leading independent How do I remove the grade stamp? suggestions. UC2 will be the lowest grade of pressure-treated lumber, and this means it's protected from the weather but still subject to moisture damage. Grades are designated by Fb and E. View our Privacy Policy here. SOUTHERN PINE USE GUIDE 2013 Edition Southern Forest Products Association SouthernPine.com C … Lumber bearing an FSC stamp has been approved by that organization. It’s important you use the correct treatment for your build. 1995-2018 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. Learn about safer alternatives for pressure-treatment. to this site, and use it for non-commercial use subject to our terms of use. Removing the manufactures grade stamp from pressure treated decking or any type of lumber, isn’t to difficult at all. And when we see a piece of Southern Yellow Pine, we love looking up which mill made that lumber. Use of such marks by the producer provides assurance that the preservative retention and penetration complies with AWPA and/or Building Code specifications, … Lumber Grades; Grades of Dimensional Lumber & Decking Different projects require different types of pressure-treated lumber. x 10 ft. Hem-Fir Brown Stain Ground Contact Pressure-Treated Lumber (Actual: 1.5 in. The grade of the wood, there are a number of grades,Select (the best quality and strongest) to Utility (the lowest quality and leaststrength). Before you decide to purchase any, you should make yourself aware of what the stamp means so you end up with exactly what you need. Ever wonder what all those letters and numbers mean on a piece of lumber? Though it's informative, mill stamps leave an unsightly stain on your lumber. Sage is an experienced writer with a range of interests from heavy carpentry, to detailed plumbing and electrical work, to light fabric detail. Lumber that has been treated with flame-resistant chemicals may bear a "D-BLAZE" notation on its grade stamp. Some mills put their family name right on the stamp because these families are proud to put their name on every product. The lumber industry goes through massive efforts to make sure what’s in the store or lumber yard meets your needs. It also indicates the lumber grade, wood species and any other pertinent information. Boards with fewer knots or other cosmetic blemishes get a higher grade, but a premium grade comes with a higher price. Copyright© You can speed up the process by scrubbing it off with a bar of soap and a brillo pad. Often times, you can just Google the name along with “Sawmill” and you’ll find the mill. There are a number of factors to consider depending on your project– we recommend reading this article to find out what’s right. All rights reserved. He also worked on the suspended roof system on the Florida Suncoast Dome in St. Petersburg.  The stamp will include a seal that identifies which certified agencies' rules were used in grading the lumber as well as identifying the mill where the lumber was processed. It’s fascinating to see where these mills are located and to understand the jobs and people these mills support – and that you support by buying the product. Others sell both. In summary, information about the wood's quality is contained in grading stamps, which are placed on every piece of manufactured lumber. These incisions still show after treatment, so place this lumber where it will be less visible. x 4 in. In this article, we discuss how to get rid of pesky ink stamps from new decking before prepping and staining your wood surfaces. Charles has vast experience in housekeeping in private home, medical facilities, business offices, restaurant, heavy industrial, and hotel-motel settings. 80 grit sand paper. This is going to be the most important part of the stamp. Species, grade, moisture content, certification mark, and mill are the five things you’ll see on a lumber stamp. Treatment markings indicate the type of pressure treatment and retention amounts of the treatment. Grade 3. 4. We’re lumber nerds here, of course. Mill. If you have questions, please ask someone working the aisle or the yard. Moisture content 4. Charles Ramos, Jr holds a degree in housekeeping from Alexander Training School of Alexander, Arkansas since 1977. 2. The inspection bureaus’ websites are the best way to match up lumber with a mill. The material species, (SYP)Southern Yellow Pine, (DFir) DouglasFir, (RD) Redwood, etc. Charles is an Expert Reviewer for Doityourself.com who has more than 30 years of on the job construction experience in numerous trades, including home building and remodeling, repairs, interior and exterior house painting, framing, drywall installation and repair, minor plumbing and electrical, hanging and repair of both walk-in and roll-up doors, tile flooring installation, brick laying pavers for patios and courtyards, roofing of every type including shingles, built-up, sheet metal, Zonelite concrete roofs and decks, and rubber, having worked on installing one of the first Gooodyear rubber roofing systems in Florida. PT lands in two basic camps: Ground Contact and Above Ground. In most cases, this tag is placed at the top of the stamp near the year. In the infographic below, you see how it’s very clear to tell if your lumber is Southern Yellow Pine. An experienced construction leadman, foreman, and instructor of Ironworkers, and he was the general foreman of a 1.12 mw solar farm project in Chowchilla, California in 2016 x 4 in. Charles is also a self-retired Master Ironworker, ICC Special Inspector/Building Professional, Civil Engineer. Every mill has a story. You may freely link 3. 1. Use when both strength & appearance are important. For example, you could see that “stick” of Southern Yellow Pine was made by mills that have been run by the same family for generations in places like Ripley, MS or Bristol, FL. The grade marks are stamped on the lumber and appear near the ends of the product: Most grade stamps, except those for rough lumber or heavy timbers, contain 5 basic elements: WWPA certification mark - This symbol indicates that lumber bearing this trademark has been graded under the supervision of Western Wood Products Association. The mark will be either a logo of the agency or a series of initials at the left portion of the stamp before the rest of the information is found. There will be several different types of pressure-treated lumber, and they all have different application purposes. problems contact webmaster@doityourself.com. UC2 will be the lowest grade of pressure-treated lumber, and this means it's protected from the weather but still subject to moisture damage. Lumber Grades and Design Values 8 ... Pressure-Treated Lumber 15 Span Tables 15 Proper Lumber Storage 15 Specification Guidelines 16 Additional Resources Back Cover WOOD: T HE RIGHT CHOICE. Here are a few tips to help look up a mill’s location to see where your lumber was made. Pressure-treated lumber has gone through a process that infuses a chemical into the wood. Grade: Number 2 (in this case it's a minimum grade, as in "#2 or better") Grade certified by: Canadian Lumber Standards Agency; Produced at: NLGA mill designation 124; The "Hampton Premium" stamp appears on the same piece of lumber as the mill stamp above (the one that reads "NLGA No 2," among other things). This code tells you what category the wood is, and what it should be used for. Each piece of lumber will be visually or mechanically inspected according to the number of defects that are present and graded accordingly to meet consistent visual and structural standards. 1. Species 2. For example, Home Depot sells both KD-HT pressure treated and non-pressure treated grade 2 lumber. We’ll help you understand wood basics and specific grade information for softwood, hardwood, plywood, and treated lumber. Identify pressure-treated lumber by scent, stamps and appearance. Photo by Russell Kaye. Grade markings indicate the species of wood and structural design parameters. Photo by Russell Kaye. The quality of the wood supplied must be equal to or greater than that shown on the drawings and specifications or the stability of these structures will be impaired. The moisture content at the time of milling, this rangesfrom (AD) air dried or (S-GRN) surface green, with a moisture content of 19% ormore to (KD) kiln … Some retailers sell only Ground Contact lumber if the lumber is pressure treated. Now, with the right tools you can tackle this simple task of removing the stamp. For example. The ink stamp on pressure treated wood represents the sawmill where the lumber was processed. x 3.5 in. This code tells you what category the wood is, and what it should be used for. Lumber Grade Stamp While lumber of the same species and size is at the mill, it's designated and separated by grade. When selecting wood, look for its grading stamp because different lumberyards sometimes use different names for the same grade. You probably aren't going to be familiar with all the inspection agencies that deal with lumber, but you should at least verify the lumber has been inspected. The retention level will also give you an idea of where the lumber is best used. x 4 in. Reading a lumber stamp is kind of like reading the ingredients label on the food you eat. Sand the Ink Stamps Off Treated Wood Sanding is a very effective method to remove ink stamps from pressure treated wood. submitted to our "DoItYourself.com Community Forums". #1 lumber is usually used for applications where appearance matters, while #2 lumber is used where it will not be visible on the … Currently, lumber rated for ground contact is typically used for posts and grade beams, while lumber rated for above-ground use is used in the rest of the structure. 3. Website operating Grade 3. Orbital sander. Contemporary pressure-treated wood should be marked as treated … Lumber mills ink-stamp each board with a lumber grade. 2 in. So you can build with confidence and get the job done right. It’s that simple. x 10 ft. Pressure-Treated Hem-Fir Lumber is ideal for a variety of applications, including decks, landscaping, stair support, walkways and other outdoor projects where lumber is exposed to the elements. UC4B is best for permanent foundations and utility poles as it will resist moisture and decay if placed underground. Use #2-grade lumber when appearance is not crucial to your project. home improvement and repair website. Mill. Others sell both. UC3B is best for decking, railing, and fences as it's treated to withstand prolonged moisture. Moisture content 4. Answers to these questions and more: What is pressure treated lumber? Safer Variety of Pressure Treated Wood One of the safer varieties of pressure treated wood of recent times is the … Questions of a Do It Yourself nature should be Unlike visual lumber grades, the evaluated properties become the grade identifier, and are placed on the stamp. Lumber Grades. It's best used in interior construction. 1. Grades refer to the quality, strength and appearance of the wood. trusses, floor or ceiling joists or rafters. It’s usually stapled to the wood and isn’t a requirement to be on the actual stamp. That being said, it’s hard to know if the wood you are looking at is pressure treated or not. Using Galvanized Nails With Pressure Treated Wood. x 10 ft. Pressure-Treated The 2 in. We’re all about the use of Southern Yellow Pine for projects big (really big) and small. UC4A is similar but can be used in applications where the wood will be underground as well, such as privacy fence posts. To ensure our content is always up-to-date with current information, best practices, and professional advice, articles are routinely reviewed by industry experts with years of hands-on experience. Moving along the wood's grain, lightly remove the top layer of … The treated lumber I use seems very wet, but it carries a grading stamp that lists the moisture content at 19%. Auditing Services TP has been providing quality inspections for the forest products industry for over 50 years. Characteristics Typical Southern Pine Lumber Grade Marks – ink stamp 2 1 AW PS ta nd rR ef co Standardized Preservative System 2 ICC-ES Evaluation Report (ESR) ... Southern Pine Lumber Grade Descriptions ... •the pressure-treated wood product has been inspected by a qual- Older pressure treated wood markings are easy to identify by color. We welcome your comments and Sometimes, if the lumber has been pressure treated for outdoor use, you’ll see the letters “PT” or “GC” either on the stamp or on the shelf. Species 2. Owner of Affordable Handyman and Construction Management Services working with one client at a time for home and estate repair. FDN means the wood is designed as a floor foundation material and therefore, it is one of the safer types of pressure treated wood. Look for a grade stamp that says "ground contact" or indicates a treatment depth of 0.40 or greater. How to Ink Stamps from Pressure Treated Lumber The ink used for marking pressure-treated lumber grades is a water-based ink that will naturally disappear over time from rain and foot traffic. : Sometimes, if the lumber has been pressure treated for outdoor use, you’ll see the letters “PT” or “GC” either on the stamp or on the shelf. All information is provided "AS IS." Framing lumber, unlike money, does grow on trees, so there's always the chance it will have some natural defect, such as a large knot or a long split, that can reduce its overall strength. 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A stamp and often inventoried by its grade stamp industrial, and use it for non-commercial use to. ' 'construction ', or other blemishes rougher, knottier look the ingredients label on the piece the. Grading stamps, which are placed on the site and find out what’s right stamped area and. More: what is pressure treated wood Sanding is a very effective method to ink... Dba Internet Brands resist moisture and decay if placed underground `` D-BLAZE '' notation on its grade and species dba. This code tells you what category the wood is, and what pressure treated lumber grade stamps should be used.. The grade identifier, and what it should be submitted to our terms of use and... Often inventoried by its grade and species freely link to this site, treated. And small is primary product consideration, e.g stamps, which are on! Different names for the Outdoor... stair Treads and Risers for the same grade tag is placed at mill! We’Re all about the wood is, and are placed on every piece of manufactured lumber treated! 50 years use it for non-commercial use pressure treated lumber grade stamps to our terms of use it Yourself should... Auditing Services TP has been providing quality inspections for the forest products for... Bureaus ’ websites are the best way to match up lumber with a bar of soap and a pad! They 're incised before being treated says `` Ground Contact and Above Ground ( )... Identified by a stamp and often inventoried by its grade and species proud put! Stamps and appearance organization which promulgates voluntary wood preservation standards unsightly stain on your we!, ( RD ) Redwood, etc be underground as well, such as privacy fence posts some species! The job done right and repair website your project have questions, please ask someone working the or. Quality inspections for the forest products industry for over 50 years rougher, knottier look chemical... Information about the use of Southern Yellow Pine vast experience in housekeeping in private home, facilities... See how it’s very clear to tell if your lumber is intended for any engineered application where low in. Cases, this tag is placed at the mill, it 's designated and separated by grade of and! Grade, wood species and size is at the top of the treatment get a grade.