As more people learn about the benefits of treated wood, it is being increasingly chosen over untreated wood for a variety of construction and landscaping projects. Retailers should consider keeping a broad range of treated lumber products in stock to meet customer demand.
Treated lumber is a type of lumber that has been treated with preservative chemicals with the aim of prolonging its lifecycle and giving it special qualities, such as the ability to resist fungus, termites, flames, marine organisms and structural degradation.
Top 6 Treated Wholesale Lumber Products to Keep in Stock
Outlined below are the top wholesale lumber products that retailers should keep in stock. Many of these varieties have been treated to prevent damage from a range of potential nuisances, from fungus and wood rot to insects and the natural process of decay. This gives customers a long-lasting and high-quality product.
Exterior Fire-X Lumber and Plywood
Exterior Fire-X, or XFX, is a pressure-impregnated fire-retardant lumber and plywood that offers solid fire protection to projects that are expected to be exposed to high temperatures and humid environments outdoors.
It can be used both inside and outside and is as easy to work with as untreated wood while offering the fire safety benefits buyers seek. It is available in a range of sizes as well as Radius Edge Decking and Rated Sheathing Plywood. It is often used for siding, trim, roof sheathing, scaffolding and fascia, among other applications.
Exterior Fire-X BLUE Lumber & Plywood
Exterior Fire-X BLUE is a specially treated type of lumber and plywood that is color-coded using a pressure-applied blue stain to indicate its non-combustible qualities. It is specified by government agencies and typically used in ship building and nuclear construction, and it offers the same fire-resistant qualities as Exterior Fire-X products.
Pyro-Guard Treated Lumber and Plywood Products
This fire-retardant treatment is used on lumber and plywood, allowing it to meet the quality control procedures set out by the International Code Council Evaluation Service (ICC-ES). It has been tested for strength after prolonged exposure to dampness, making it ideal for exterior projects and other applications where it may be exposed to high amounts of humidity.
When this type of treated wood is exposed to fire, water and a non-combustible gas are formed, along with a layer of char that prevents combustion and protects the wood from sustaining further damage.
It is a popular choice because using it does not require the use of special tools or skills, and it is accepted by most building codes for roof construction, store fronts and partition walls. Some of the top-selling products include Rated Sheathing Plywood, Underlayment Grade Tongue & Groove, and ACX plywood.
Micro-Guard Lumber and Plywood
Wood that has been pressure-treated with Micro-Guard offers superior protection against termites, fungal decay and corrosion. It is often used for fences, landscaping, decks and other general outdoor construction applications.
Micro-Guard treated lumber has kiln-dried after treatment, or KDAT, varieties to ensure products have reached a workable level of moisture. This helps avoid problems related to moisture from arising in the future, such as buckling or crowning in plywood and warping or twisting in lumber.
One big benefit of Micro-Guard treated lumber and plywood is that it is significantly lighter in appearance than other wood products that have been treated with copper, making it especially suitable for projects where wood with a more natural look is desired.
Chromated Copper Arsenate (CCA) Plywood
Chromated Copper Arsenate, or CCA, is a type of wood preservative that has been used for decades to lend wood long-term resistance to termites, rot and decay. It is distinguishable by its greenish tint and can be found in a range of sizes and styles, including On-Center, T&G Underlayment, Rated Sheathing and ACX.
Known for its durability and effectiveness, CCA plywood is ideal for projects involving wood structures that may come into contact with concrete or soil. It is also harmless to people, animals and plants when used correctly.
Copper Azole (CA) Treated Lumber
Pressure treatment allows the copper-based preservative copper azole to penetrate the cellular structure of wood, which means CA-treated lumber has long-term resistance to termites, rot and decay. The process used to treat it eliminates the need for solvents, so it is an odorless and clean product that is safe for the environment, animals and humans.
It can be found in a broad range of sizes to suit different projects in residential construction, including projects that will go into the ground or will have contact with freshwater.
Get In Touch With the Wholesale Treated Lumber Experts
If you would like to learn more about sourcing high-quality treated lumber, reach out to the experts at Curtis Lumber & Plywood. They keep a vast selection of the most in-demand treated products in stock, and their knowledgeable and friendly team can advise on the right materials for specific types of jobs.