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SeaHorse_Fanatic
Citruholic
Joined: 19 Sep 2011
Posts: 85
Location: Burnaby, BC Zone 8b/9b
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| Posted: Fri 16 Dec, 2011 10:54 pm |
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Just talked to the lumber guy at Lowe's and he says the blue lumber they sell is treated for mould but not suitable for greenhouse applications.
I usually build my outdoor structures out of treated lumber (ie. my deck) or red cedar (ie. my pergola) but not sure about longevity issues or chemical off-gassing with the treated lumber in a high humidity greenhouse application.
Any suggestions would be welcomed.
I usually build with lumber. I know I could do it cheaper with a hoop and plastic structure, but I'm wanting to recycle my single ply and two-ply polycarbonate sheets.
Thanks in advance.
Anthony
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Lemandarangequatelo
Citruholic
Joined: 01 Mar 2010
Posts: 466
Location: UK
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| Posted: Sat 17 Dec, 2011 7:10 am |
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I'm also planning a new greenhouse. I read that cedar is supposed to be excellent because it is naturally rot resistant and will last many decades. I can't find it here so I'm using untreated pine that I will treat with the traditional non toxic preservatives of raw linseed oil and raw beeswax, which should hopefully give me a few decades of use before needing to be replaced. |
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Millet
Citruholic
Joined: 13 Nov 2005
Posts: 6657
Location: Colorado
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| Posted: Sat 17 Dec, 2011 3:36 pm |
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Cedar, redwood, or standard greenhouse aluminum trusses. - Millet (394 ABO-) |
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Darkman
Citruholic
Joined: 20 Jul 2010
Posts: 966
Location: Pensacola Florida South of I-10 Zone 8b/9a
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| Posted: Sat 17 Dec, 2011 11:08 pm |
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| Lemandarangequatelo wrote: | | I'm also planning a new greenhouse. I read that cedar is supposed to be excellent because it is naturally rot resistant and will last many decades. I can't find it here so I'm using untreated pine that I will treat with the traditional non toxic preservatives of raw linseed oil and raw beeswax, which should hopefully give me a few decades of use before needing to be replaced. |
IMHO.
I would not use untreated pine unless it would have no earth or near earth contact
AND
then only if you have the accessibility to apply your sealants frequently and to all surfaces including end grains.
Not sure where you are but there are rot and bug resistant woods just about anywhere. We have Eastern Red Cedar and Juniper in the South East.
Much has bee written about pressure treated woods both pro and con. I believe that you could use them and not have a problem. You could paint and seal them which wouldn't be any harder than what you are proposing with the untreated pine. If the wood was to be used only for structure I would use pressure treated. The newer treatments are friendlier and I have seen borer bees nest in them.
JUST MY OPINION!!!!!!!
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Chris
Citruholic
Joined: 26 Jul 2010
Posts: 92
Location: coastal San Diego sunset 24
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| Posted: Sun 18 Dec, 2011 2:00 am |
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Termites (if you have them) will go through untreated pine in no time! Definitely a NO!
I agree with Millet's suggestions but, having spent countless time among the redwoods here in CA, will never encourage cutting these beautiful trees. |
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GT
Citruholic
Joined: 11 Jul 2010
Posts: 393
Location: Beaumont, TX (zone 9a)
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| Posted: Sun 18 Dec, 2011 2:45 am |
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Lemandarangequatelo,
I would not suggest untreated pine either... A while ago, we had a "temporary" greenhouse made out of untreated pine covered by tar and painted... The structure was sitting on bricks and... collapsed after 4 or 5 years. Wood was completely rotten by that time. Similarly yo your place, we had no termites, so wood was just rotten. Here, in SE TX, untreated pine is gone after one year touching the ground.
I have no idea about harmful effects of treated wood... Regarding untreated wood, any relative of juniper would be much better than pine.
Good luck! |
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SeaHorse_Fanatic
Citruholic
Joined: 19 Sep 2011
Posts: 85
Location: Burnaby, BC Zone 8b/9b
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| Posted: Sun 18 Dec, 2011 7:10 am |
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Just talked to another guy (more experienced one) at Lowe's and he recommends the Blue lumber after all. Now I'm a bit confused.
I prefer to use red cedar, but its very expensive and I have to order a lot to make the delivery cost worthwhile ($90 - no choice).
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