Decks, Patios, Porches and Docks - Pressure treated deck boards

We have used pressure treated deck boards. Do you advise to stain them with a clear stain, or can we leave them as they are. If not stained how long will those boards be in good shape.
Please advise.

Thank you
Gisela : :)

Hi
You could leave it like it is.
I twill turn to a fated gray color in time. Like old wood barn
If you follow manufacture recommendation in installation and threaded the cut with the proper sealer or used coprinol should last several years depending where you live and climate.
If you’re going to stain wait a year before doing it
You could used solid or clear stain

Good luck

Thank you very much, so I don.t have to stain right away?

With most pressure treated you can't stain right away
You have to wait at least a season
In some climates maybe a year

How long the pressure treated boards last w/o stain varies with the type of pressure treatment and the climate

as in previously installed deck boards? if that is the case, longivity depends on when the boards were purchased. some history, back 15 or 20 yrs ago, they were still cutting old growth trees. these trees were SYP (southern yellow pine) mature trees with tight cell structure.

sometime since then, most of the forests ran out of old growth and forestation companies havve been planting trees to replace those harvested. they plant trees which are ready for cutting in 5-6 yrs. these are "new" growth, relatively immature trees with open cell structure. due to the smaller size, they have lots more knots.

next they pump it full of green stuff (mostly water) and it really doesn't matter if it's the old (CCA) green stuff or the new (ACQ) green stuff. The water which carries the "stuff" starts to dry as soon as it is hits the air. Lumber yards keep treated lumber banded and covererd with tarps to slow down the warping process, but once unbanded, they start to bend.

Now, you take these green boards and screw them down on a deck so they can really dry out. The result is boards that will twist no matter what you do. Boards screwed down tightly to joist can still lift the screws out. areas that don't move may splinter.

A deck installed 15 yrs ago with old growth lumber might still look halfway decent. Whereas new lumber which may also be Ponderorsa pine (not as strong as SYP). could look bad in as little as 6-7 years. Here in Michigan where I live that's about the average life. They won't rot and fall down, but I wouldn't walk on them with bare feet though.

These problems with wood are the reason that composites are gaining a great deal of popularity.

It is a fallacy to let wood sit exposed to the elements for a season. Most professional recommendations call for wood to be checked with a moisture meter. When the reading is 15% or below, 12% is ideal, then seal or stain. There are always other factors like manufacturer's recommendations, mill glaze(is there such a thing?), different species of wood(like hardwoods), and so forth that are variables. Wood left exposed to the elements for any unnecessary length of time is not beneficial to life expectancy of the wood.

It is a fallacy to let wood sit exposed to the elements for a season. Most professional recommendations call for wood to be checked with a moisture meter. When the reading is 15% or below, 12% is ideal, then seal or stain. There are always other factors like manufacturer's recommendations, mill glaze(is there such a thing?), different species of wood(like hardwoods), and so forth that are variables. Wood left exposed to the elements for any unnecessary length of time is not beneficial to life expectancy of the wood.

Thank you for your advise, I will wait and stain next season. Thank you again.Gisela

With most pressure treated you can't stain right away
You have to wait at least a season
In some climates maybe a year

How long the pressure treated boards last w/o stain varies with the type of pressure treatment and the climate

Thank you very much, your help was very appreciated. Gisela

as in previously installed deck boards? if that is the case, longivity depends on when the boards were purchased. some history, back 15 or 20 yrs ago, they were still cutting old growth trees. these trees were SYP (southern yellow pine) mature trees with tight cell structure.

sometime since then, most of the forests ran out of old growth and forestation companies havve been planting trees to replace those harvested. they plant trees which are ready for cutting in 5-6 yrs. these are "new" growth, relatively immature trees with open cell structure. due to the smaller size, they have lots more knots.

next they pump it full of green stuff (mostly water) and it really doesn't matter if it's the old (CCA) green stuff or the new (ACQ) green stuff. The water which carries the "stuff" starts to dry as soon as it is hits the air. Lumber yards keep treated lumber banded and covererd with tarps to slow down the warping process, but once unbanded, they start to bend.

Now, you take these green boards and screw them down on a deck so they can really dry out. The result is boards that will twist no matter what you do. Boards screwed down tightly to joist can still lift the screws out. areas that don't move may splinter.

A deck installed 15 yrs ago with old growth lumber might still look halfway decent. Whereas new lumber which may also be Ponderorsa pine (not as strong as SYP). could look bad in as little as 6-7 years. Here in Michigan where I live that's about the average life. They won't rot and fall down, but I wouldn't walk on them with bare feet though.

These problems with wood are the reason that composites are gaining a great deal of popularity.
No I used new boards on top of an old deck with straps underneath. Thank you for your reply. Gisela

It is a fallacy to let wood sit exposed to the elements for a season. Most professional recommendations call for wood to be checked with a moisture meter. When the reading is 15% or below, 12% is ideal, then seal or stain. There are always other factors like manufacturer's recommendations, mill glaze(is there such a thing?), different species of wood(like hardwoods), and so forth that are variables. Wood left exposed to the elements for any unnecessary length of time is not beneficial to life expectancy of the wood.
Thank you very much for your advise, it is really appreciated. Gisela