Building Tips

Whatever you build with YellaWood^® brand pressure treated wood will last a long time.

Here are some helpful tips to keep your project looking good:

Use corrosion-resistant fasteners

YellaWood^® preserved wood products are designed for long-term performance in outdoor applications and, therefore, require high-quality, corrosion-resistant nails, screws and other fasteners. Fastener specifications and recommended hardware.

Attach boards bark side up

When appearance permits, attach boards bark side up. As a general rule, attach boards bark side up (annual rings arc upward, like a rainbow) to reduce cupping; however, the best face should be placed up when a defect of the wood is apparent. Fasten thin boards to thicker boards to maintain structural integrity.

Use a Carbide Saw Blade

Use a carbide-tipped saw blade to cut preserved wood.

Drill pilot holes

Drill pilot holes especially when nailing or screwing near the edge or end of a board. Pilot holes will help minimize splitting.

Space wet boards tightly

Should the wood be wet during construction, butt deck boards together. As drying occurs, some shrinkage can be expected. If the wood is dry, allowing for shrinkage is not necessary.

Space wet fence pickets tightly

When building a stockade fence, it is equally important to butt wet pickets together. Just as with deck boards, some shrinkage will occur as the pickets dry. By butting the pickets together during construction, you will minimize the gap left between the pickets after they dry.

Use an endcoat preservative

Brush-on endcoat wood preservative is recommended on all saw cuts and into drill holes during construction of wood projects. Also apply on areas where moisture can collect. Always follow the manufacturer's recommendations.

Apply a weather-resistant finish

Any exposed wood, pressure treated or not, should be protected from the weather. Application of a quality, clear water repellent or semi-transparent stain that contains a water repellent will help minimize the cycles of moisture take-up and loss the wood goes through outdoors. For maximum protection, one of these products should be applied as soon as possible after construction is completed.

First, thoroughly clean your project. A clear water repellent can then be applied. If you choose to use a semi-transparent stain that contains a water repellent, you need to first check that your project is surface dry to assure proper penetration of the stain. This can be tested by sprinkling a few drops of water on the wood surface. If the wood readily absorbs the water, apply the semi-transparent stain immediately. If the wood does not absorb the water, wait several days and retest. Or immediately apply a clear water repellent, wait approximately eight weeks, and then apply your chosen color of semi-transparent stain.

If you've chosen to build with a product that contains a factory-applied water repellent, an oil-based stain can be applied in 30 to 60 days and water-based stains can be applied after six months. Check that the wood is surface dry before applying stain.

For the best results, water repellents should be applied annually and stains should be re-applied as needed. In all instances, follow the manufacturer's directions when applying water repellents or semi-transparent stains that may contain water repellent.

Follow safety guidelines

When working with YellaWood^® brand pressure treated wood, always follow safety and handling precautions.