What is Mcq treated lumber?
Wood treated with micronized copper often has a lighter color than other wood treatments. The small size of the copper particles in these products allows them to stay suspended in the solution being injected into the wood.
What’s the difference between #1 and #2 pressure treated lumber?
Typically wood that is two or more inches thick is graded only for strength, denoted by #1, #2 and so on. And because stronger lumber has fewer and smaller knots, it’s typically more attractive. So the general rule of thumb for lumber grades is this: the lower the number, the more strength and better appearance.
Is MCA the same as ACQ?
MCQ and MCA The second category of preservatives includes wood treated with two variations of ACQ and CA: micronized copper quaternary (MCQ) and micronized copper azole (MCA). Another advantage is that wood treated with MCQ and MCA keeps more of its natural color.
What does number 2 pressure treated wood mean?
The numbers commonly used are LP-2, LP-22, 0.25 and 0.40. LP-2 or 0.25, or both, refer to the same level of preservative treatment, and mean that the wood has a minimum retention of 0.25 pounds of preservative per cubic foot.
Is there a difference between pressure-treated lumber and treated lumber?
Pressure-treated lumber is no stronger than regular wood, but it is also not any weaker. The difference between regular and pressure-treated lumber is that the treated wood has greater resistance to the elements and to pests. It, therefore, maintains its integrity not from being stronger, but from being rot resistant.
What are the different grades of pressure-treated lumber?
Pressure treated wood is sold with the lumber grades Premium, Select, Number 1, Number 2, and Number 3. The higher the grade, the fewer the defects—that is splits or knots. In general, you will want to choose Number 2 grade boards, or higher, for decks.
What is the best grade of pressure treated lumber?
The best pressure treated wood for decks is Select, #1 or #2 grade wood. Within all grades, there are planks that will be freer of blemishes and knots and may be called premium. Decking materials such as 2×6 and 5/4×6 frequently are of better-looking #1 and #2 lumber.
Can pressure treated lumber touch the ground?
Ground-contact pressure-treated lumber can be used either above ground or in contact with the ground. Must be used when lumber is less than 6 inches from the ground or has poor ventilation. Must be used for applications where wood is difficult to maintain or replace.
Is CCA better than ACQ?
The withdrawal in 2004 of chromated copper arsenate (CCA) from the residential treated-wood market led to a spate of new preservatives such as ammoniacal copper quat (ACQ) and copper azole (CA). While both ACQ and CA are effective preservatives, they are also more corrosive than CCA.
Is MCA toxic?
Today, it is the most widely used wood preservative for residential applications. ACQ is both a fungicide and an insecticide. Water-based preservatives like ACQ leave a dry, paintable surface. Results showed that ACQ-treated wood is essentially non-toxic by normal dermal and oral exposures.
When did MCQ pressure treated wood come out?
A search for micronized doesn’t turn up anything, but a search for micron did get a 2008 thread on chemistry changes for pressure treated wood. I saw a local treater touting MCQ at the JLC Live expo in RI back in this spring 2009.
What do you need to know about pressure treated wood?
Know exactly how much pressure-treated wood you need with our project calculators. Pressure-treated wood has gone through a process that uses high pressure to force a solution of water and preservative agents deep into the lumber to help extend its useful lifespan.
What kind of preservatives are used in pressure treated wood?
Pressure-treated wood has gone through a process that uses high pressure to force a solution of water and preservative agents deep into the lumber to help extend its useful lifespan. The active ingredients commonly used in treated wood are alkaline copper quaternary (ACQ), copper azole (CA) or micronized copper azole (MCA).
When to use ACQ treated lumber for a deck?
ACQ treated lumber is an effective product approved for consumer use. ACQ has been in use since 1990 for projects ranging from decks to docks to piers. ACQ is more corrosive to hardware and fasteners than CCA and MCA so coated hardware and fasteners needs to be used with ACQ treated lumber.
