Stained wood or pressure treated.....

[ThinkingChickens]

I'm amazed by the cost of wood. Here a 2x4x8 is $3.09 or pressure treated is $4.85. Since we already have a gallon ($50) of Cedar Penofin we are debating going with Douglas Fir to save on cost. What are everyone's thoughts on this? Oh, this is for our walk in run. A good majority of the run will obviously be welded wire and hardware cloth. What did you guys use?

 

[DangerChickenHouse]

I'm in a big city and paid the same price at Home Depot for my 2 x4's. Sucks!

 

[Bear Foot Farm]

I'd buy the treated lumber since you'll have as much money in it anyway after you stain it, not counting your time and effort.

 

[sammyh312]

if its for support and anywhere near the gound, go with pressure treated.

 

[foulman007]

in south carolina where our trees rust i always use PT.

 

[ThinkingChickens]

Ugh, I wanted pressure treated so badly but DH went with regular as the lumber yard guy suggested it. Grr. Ha ha. It was still $300 for just the wood. Ouch! At least we already have the stain. I'll just have to be diligent with keeping up with the stain.

 

[Bear Foot Farm]

I'll just have to be diligent with keeping up with the stain.

Stain won't help on any parts touching the ground, or the joints where any pieces meet​

 

[ThinkingChickens]

Quote:
Stain won't help on any parts touching the ground, or the joints where any pieces meet

It will have to be pre-stained but you are right that it's not the best choice. However, our whole house is cedar, 200+' of fencing, our privacy screen and decks and none of those are pressure treated wood either but they are all in good shape after seven years. Believe me I wanted pressure treated but I'm thinking it's probably not so horrible after talking to the guy at the lumber yard. Hopefully things will hold up for at least some years before I really go chicken mad and convert another portion of the yard. Ha ha