I get asked this query a whole lot, limited response…Yes. But there is a purpose that quite couple of contractors use redwood more than pressure treated (or p.t.) for mud sills and bottom plates.
Allow me very first say that I have transformed houses in regions of San Francisco and Marin that have been more than 100 a long time previous- built totally out of redwood- and are still in great form structurally. That is because redwood is in a natural way large in acids which helps prevent rot and keeps bugs from taking in it, looking at as individuals are a residences two worst enemies, redwood helps make good feeling. Right up until you search at the value tag. Simple fact is numerous redwood regions were over logged and the kinds that were not are now guarded. As a end result the price of redwood is quite high in contrast to other framing merchandise and they are now using youthful development trees which equals much more knots, twists, and wanes.
www.kefauverlumber.com So to minimize cost Pressure handled lumber was launched as a wood that could mimic the characteristics of redwood but for half the price. Stress taken care of lumber is usually Douglas fir or occasionally hem fir and injected with several toxic substances (copper or zinc napathane being the most potent). These substances are what avoid the rot and pest infestations but have also been acknowledged to cause cancer by polluting ground h2o when disposed in land fills. In California, the scrap parts of p.t. have to be disposed of at a bio-hazard squander lawn. Recently the ranges of harmful toxins have been reduced by approx. fifty%.
It is also really worth noting that it is never ever suitable to connect un-dealt with Douglas fir lumber in immediate speak to with concrete. There are numerous approaches to deal with Douglas fir your self and make it rot and pest resistant. The #1 way to do this is utilize copper napathane in either a spray can or typical liquid to be brushed on. You can uncover this at just about any neighborhood hardware shop but be mindful performing this! It will stink negative for a day or two so do not utilize directly in living areas. Be confident to go through any and all factory instructions with regards to the application of any sealant or rot avoiding item.
So to reply the concern, sure… definitely, redwood is a fantastic solution for mud sills. But if you are gonna use redwood, save your self some income and get ‘rough cut’ lumber, this will be somewhat greater so you’ll have to minimize it down width wise, but the value variation is well worth the extra operate.
It’s not as widespread as it employed to be, when massive framing contractor’s would conserve income purchasing damaged lumber or inferior building items. This may be a issue of the earlier in some locations, but there are nonetheless framing contractors and lumber companies who you need to have to be cautious with, especially when the lumber they are sending out to your occupation can result in an incident.
I have observed this take place as well many occasions, the carpenters are doing work on a house and the contractor failed to order sufficient lumber or purchased enough lumber, but a number of of the items are destroyed and the carpenters use them in any case, merely so that they can end the residence.
This isn’t really heading to ever be one thing that will reward the other employees, particularly if the construction of the home has been compromised. I have seen ground joist, roof rafters and structural beams that have large splits or knots in them and should not be utilised except for firewood, yet they are set up carelessly, just due to the fact someone else will not want to take the time to return the inferior lumber to get a new piece without having any injury or flaws in it.