By Mark J. Donovan
For years pressure treated lumber has been used in building decks and other outside home construction projects. It has also been used in some interior / enclosed framing applications, particularly as sill plates between concrete foundations and floor joists.
However, on January 1, 2004, the EPA banned the use of CCA (Chromated Copper Arsenate) pressure treated lumber in home construction. The lumber industry responded to this ban by introducing new pressure treated wood products that are based on a copper preservative treatment. The new chemical treatment, known as Alkaline Copper Quaternary (ACQ), is said to be less harmful to the environment however care is still needed in working with it. In addition, because of the high copper content, galvanized or stainless steel fasteners are required to fasten this new type of pressure treated lumber.
The American Wood-Preservers Association (AWPA) has also approved certain types of pressure treated lumber for interior framing applications. However, for enclosed structural framing applications, the pressure treated lumber needs to be dried to a moisture level of no more than 19% before enclosing the building.
To be safe, check with your own local building inspector before deciding to use pressure treated lumber on your home construction project.
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