A commonly asked question is whether pressure-treated wood can be used to create furniture.
You can use pressure-treated wood to build furniture. However, make sure you are using the newer type that uses safe chemicals. When doing woodwork, wear a mask, clean up the sawdust, and avoid burning the wood. Don’t use pressure-treated wood for your bathroom or vegetable garden.
In this article, we will address that question, as well as whether you should be using pressure-treated wood to build furniture for your home or garden. Continue reading if you have been considering using pressure-treated wood to create furniture.
What Is Pressure-Treated Wood?
Pressure-treated wood is wood that has been immersed in a chemical preservative. After being immersed in the chemical, the wood is placed in a pressure chamber that helps the chemical seep into the wood. Once the wood absorbs the chemical, it will not be as susceptible to decay. Unfortunately, wood that is not pressure-treated can become attacked by insects, fungi, and other organisms when moisture is present.
Which Chemicals Are Used As Preservatives?
Since 2003, the most common chemical used in pressure-treated wood is called alkaline copper quat. This is sometimes abbreviated as ACQ. Before 2003, however, the most widely used chemical was chromated copper arsenate, or CCA, according to How Stuff Works. However, this chemical was banned by the FDA because it was not safe for humans.
Is Pressure-Treated Wood Safe?
This is a common question. The answer is that generally, the chemicals used in pressure-treated wood are not safe for humans. The reason chromated copper arsenate is no longer used to pressure-treat wood is that it was banned by the FDA for use in residential settings, causing harm to humans. However, this does not mean that ACQ or other newer chemicals are particularly safe either.
Newer pressure-treated woods are safer than they used to be. However, if safety is your top concern, it is best not to use them in a place or fashion to expose you to the chemicals inside. For example, if you use them to create furniture and cut and saw the wood, you will become exposed to the chemicals inside the pressure-treated wood. If they don’t leak out of the wood, there is not much of a risk.
Using Pressure-Treated Wood Indoors
For most indoor applications, pressure-treated wood is safe. That is because the chemicals in the wood are not likely to leak out. However, there are some instances where the chemicals might, in fact, leak out of the wood.
For example, if you will be using it in a bathroom where moisture in the air, often, pressure-treated wood is not safe. The same goes for the kitchen, especially if it will be near a sink or cutting food on the wood.
Staying Safe When Doing Woodwork
If you are using pressure-treated wood, make sure you use wood with newer, safer chemicals. Avoid using old pressure treated wood that may contain CCA, as that is toxic.
However, even when using wood with the “safer” chemicals, it is still important to take the proper safety precautions. Here are some tips to help you stay safe when working with pressure-treated wood:
- Wear a mask. Any type of mask is better than no mask. However, you should be using a dust mask or N95 mask if you are trying to prevent yourself from inhaling toxic chemicals in the wood you are working on.
- Wear other protective gear. In addition to a mask, consider wearing other protective gear. This can include long sleeves and gloves so that the chemicals do not have contact with your body. Goggles or a face shield can help protect your face or eyes.
- Clean up after yourself. After working on a piece of furniture, clean up all of the sawdust. Please don’t leave it lying around. It would help if you considered working on a concrete area to clean up the dust easily. Also, wash your clothes after you finish working on a project, and always exchange your old mask for a new one. Take the dust you cleaned up to a landfill.
- Don’t burn the wood. Burning the wood is a surefire way of exposing yourself to more harmful chemicals. The arsenic will go up in the smoke, and the ash will have a high concentration of the chemicals.
- Work outdoors. Working outdoors will allow for more air circulation. If you have to work indoors, focus on increasing the air circulation to escape toxic chemicals. Open all the windows; if you work in a garage, open the garage doors. Use large fans to help blow air around.
Ground vs. Non-Ground Use Pressure-Treated Wood
You may find that some pressure-treated wood is marked as being for ground use while others are not. There are different decay resistance levels in pressure-treated wood, based on the quantity of the chemicals used.
If the wood is marked as ground use, it will be resistant enough for you to use it in contact with the soil. However, other types of pressure-treated wood may not be as strong. If they are used on soil, they may decay due to moisture and termite infestation. If you will be creating furniture for your garden that will contact the soil, make sure you are using a strong type of pressure-treated wood.
Using Pressure-Treated Wood in Your Garden
What about using pressure-treated wood in your garden, where you grow fruits, vegetables, or flowers? Is it safe to use such wood, considering that the chemicals can leak out and contaminate your growing fruits or vegetables?
If you are only growing flowers, there is no problem with using pressure-treated wood. However, if you will be growing fruits and vegetables for human consumption, it is best to avoid using pressure-treated woods for your garden chairs, tables, and fences.
If you are interested in learning more about the safety concerns present when using pressure-treated wood for your garden, watch this short Youtube video:
Using Pressure-Treated Wood for Personal Furniture
What about the furniture you will be creating for personal usage? This can include chairs, benches, and tables where you place your food or coffee.
If you are using it for a table, make sure not to place food directly on the table. The risk isn’t high, but it is better to be safe than sorry. This is especially true when it comes to wet food (as opposed to a cookie, for example). If you are using it for personal use, such as a chair, it is still generally safe. However, it is better to avoid using pressure-treated wood to maintain peace of mind if you are worried.
Is It Safe to Build With Pressure-Treated Wood?
Yes, as long as you make sure the wood is made with the newer, safer chemicals. Avoid using old pressure-treated wood that was made before the new regulations were enacted. Even then, make sure to wear a dust mask, clean up the sawdust after yourself, and avoid burning the wood. Also, avoid using pressure-treated wood for your indoor bathrooms or kitchen sink areas, as well as your outdoor fruit or vegetable garden.
Conclusion
Some people may avoid using pressure-treated wood over safety concerns. Still, if you are careful, it will generally be safe to use for your woodworking projects. Also, pressure-treated wood will last longer than regular wood, so your furniture will have a longer lifespan. Ultimately, however, the decision is up to you.
Sources
- Fine Gardening: Does Pressure-Treated Wood Belong in Your Garden?
- The DIY Plan: Is Pressure Treated Wood Safe For Outdoor Furniture?
- Pro Wood Lumber: Is Pressure Treated Wood Safe for Indoor Use?
- How Stuff Works: How does pressure-treated lumber work?
- The Spruce Crafts: Using Pressure-Treated Lumber in Woodworking Projects
- Reddit: Question on using pressure-treated lumber for outdoor furniture in contact with your body