Glossary for Treated Wood


.25 pcf
Retention level usually prescribed for above ground level use of CCA pressure treated lumber. Specifically refers to 1/4 lb. of CCA oxides/cubic foot of wood
.40 pcf
Retention level usually prescribed for ground contact use of CCA pressure treated lumber. Specifically refers to 4/10 lb. of CCA oxides/cubic foot of wood

.60 pcf
Retention level usually prescribed for structural members in touch with the ground. Specifically refers to 6/10 lb. of CCA oxides/cubic foot of wood. (pwf)

#1 kiln dried
#1 is the grade of lumber immediately following Select Structural. Kiln dried in this case means that the lumber has been dried to a minimum moisture content of 19% prior to treating

bar coded
An encoded number appearing on the end of a piece of lumber which can be read at a receptive point of sale terminal

beam
Usually describes the horizontal member attached to the post bearing the weight of the joist or other lateral member

CCA-C
Chromated Copper Arsenate, which has been mixed to formula C, which is the most up-to-date standard

chamfered
To trim square edges to a 45 degree diagonal, usually to eliminate splintering and unsightly edges

Consumer Information Sheets
A piece of literature in the treated wood literature rack which details handling suggestions and precautions for pressure treated lumber

dog-eared
Flat top fencing that has the two top corners cut at a 45 degree angle to create a visual pattern

edge
The two narrow planes on a piece of lumber

EPA
Environmental Protection Agency

face
The two widest planes in a piece of lumber

FOHC
"Free of heart center." This term means the absence of pith from the finished lumber product

good face
The best of the two wide sides of a piece of lumber, for the intended use

grain raise
Separation of the wood fibers on the face of the lumber

hot-dipped (hd) galvanized
Applying zinc to metal via heat immersion versus electro-galvanizing (EG) methods. HD assures greater coating than EG method which is important when using metal fasteners with treated wood as some chemical reaction may occur between the treating chemicals and the fastener metal

incised
In treated lumber this refers to the knife perforations in the lumber. These aid in helping the chemical penetrate deeper into the lumber

joist
The horizontal member of the deck, that the decking is nailed to, which extends perpendicular to the house

knots
Dark blemishes in the lumber as a result of branches growing from the tree trunk

Lifetime limited warranty label
Tags on the end of the lumber assuring customer that that particular piece of lumber is guaranteed

Lifetime limited warranty
A guarantee document which spells out the details of your claim rights. These can be found in the treated wood literature racks, generally located near the treated lumber

P&TS
An abbreviation for plug and touch sanded when referring to plywood

penetration
In treating terminology, this refers to the depth that the treating chemicals permeate the lumber

Permanent Wood Foundation
An alternative construction method to concrete, utilizing wooden stud members and plywood supported in gravel

pith center
The bull's eye in the center of the trunk of a tree from which the growth rings radiate. (This is like the "core" of an apple and can separate from the rest of the lumber.) Also called heart center

post
A term usually used to describe vertical construction members. These might be used in fences or as uprights supporting the deck beam

retention
The amount of chemical that the lumber retains after treating process, usually referenced in terms of chemical/cubic foot; i.e., .25, .40, .60

S4S
Surfaced four sides. This means that the product has gone through a planer to "true up" the sizes and to eliminate the rough surface

select structural
The highest grade of normal domestic framing lumber

shell dry
Drying lumber in a kiln to reduce moisture content with no specific target moisture content

sorted
Product that is carefully scrutinized at McFarland Cascade to eliminate unsightly pieces and reduce fall down at the retail store level

split
Separation completely through the lumber from face to face

T&G
Refers to an abbreviation for tongue and groove which is a joining method on the edges of lumber and plywood products

turned plywood peeler cores
The center of the log that is turned on a lathe to produce plywood veneer

unincised
The lack of lumber incisions. Treated lumber products with no incisions are generally for above ground usage in appearance situations

Universal TM Wood
Sorted construction lumber incised for ground contact and treated to meet contact specifications

unsorted
Product that is bought for a specific grade but not inspected to eliminate unsightly defects such as holes, wane, splits, etc.

utility (#3)
A relatively low and inexpensive grade of lumber usually used for nonstructural and non-appearance applications. Utility is the nomenclature for 4" dimension (2 x 4, 4 x 4) and #3 is the correct nomenclature for wide dimensions (2 x 6-2 x 12).

wane
The absence of fiber on the edge of a piece of lumber

Help Desk 810 955-4305

For more information:

www.woodbasement.com

www.woodfoundation.com

Note: Panel foundations can be site built or made in a shop. When made so it cover up items that need inspection by the Building Inspector. Third Party Inspection may be required. (inspect for grade stamps, treatment stamps, stud spacing, insulation, nailing, dip of saw cuts, plywood requirments are some of the item that a third party inspection will note.

All Panel Wood Foundations must be designed and installed in accordance with:
All current Building Codes Standards

While wood foundations are easy to build, this is only true if one is building from an accurate well designed plan. When such a plan is incorrect, or if something is left out of the plan or absent, or if a design is made using a guide manual (these are not design manuals); major mistakes can be made during the construction process. These errors cause problems for the owner, builder, and the building department.

pwfs.com a service of Permanent Wood Foundation System (PWF), supported by Southern Pine lumber users affiliated with the training and installation of wood foundations.
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