Do I need pressure treated 2x4's

[Haunted Chicken]

My DH and I are new to this building thing.....If I am using pressure treated 4x4's and pressure treated lumber as my base around the bottom of my run, do I need pressure treated wood for my sides and roof support?

Thanks

 

[Vtchicks]

If it is exposed to weather, you should protect it somehow. You could seal any type of lumber, pressure treated lumber just gives you a longer lasting structure.

 

[puredelite]

As it will be exposed to the weather it would be adviseable to use PT wood for all of your run. Because lumber is a commodity and fluctuates so much in price often at Lowe's, Home Depot, etc. there is very little difference in the price of PT and common 2x's. Use PT and don't have to worry about any rot or bug damage. Charlie

 

[gale65]

If the wood isn't exposed to the weather or touching the ground, regular should last quite a while. We built our rabbit hutch from all untreated wood (since they tend to chew on the wood) and it's been up 2 yrs and so far is in great shape still. With our run dh made sure to use treated for the posts but the rest isn't. It may have to be replaced but it should be a few yrs. The coop was a prebuilt one and only the runners and bottom studs are treated.

 

[ThinkingChickens]

We didn't use PT wood. The cost was $1.50 more per board which would have added to the cost of the entire run considerably. Depending on size though, and your personal budget PT is good. Don't forget though you have to stain either one. A good stain like Cedar Penofin (our whole house, decks, fences are in this stain) is $50 a gallon. We chose the better stain but standard wood.

 

[chicken_noob]

Personally id use PT, but I have seen some people that don't want it and opt to put a few coats of good quality glossy porch paint ( likely white ). The cost of paint and time > PT. Just my 2cents

 

[Haunted Chicken]

Quote:
Wouldn't I have to stain the PT?

Thank you all for the responses

 

[TouchO'Lass]

Usually, you don't have to stain PT except for aesthetics, but depending on how much exposure it gets, it would help it last longer. As some have said, it depends on your weather as well. I'm East of the Cascades in northern Wa (high desert) and it's so dry most of the time we have to re-stain or paint ANY kind of wood often. If I was West of the Cascades, I'd definitely go with PT unless it was going to be protected from the elements.

For our area, we generally use PT only where there is actual ground contact. I built a dog run 4 years ago using PT for posts and around the base and regular lumber around the top. Stained it all with a preservative type stain and it has all weathered the same.

Because of our location, PT is usually way more expensive, but so it the preservative, so it can be a trade off...

Got any contractors in the area you can talk to and get their recommendations for your climate?

Good luck!

 

[ThinkingChickens]

Pressure treated wood absolutely has to be stained. Ask a contractor, google it, etc. or ask at the lumber yard. The ONLY difference is that has more rot resistance and lasts longer. However, it will still get damaged if not stained. Any wood has to be properly cared for.

Here is a great link all about the process, the types and explaining why it is NOT weather resistant- http://www.naturalhandyman.com/iip/infxtra/infpre.html

 

[colebarnhart]

If it is inside then you should be fine with regular untreated wood, however, anything outside I would use PT and also paint it. Where I live the weather can vary so much that even pressure treated will start to fall apart after a few years without a coat of something like paint, stain, or thompson's water seal.