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alexh1000

Source for presuure treated KDAT in SF bay area

10 years ago

Hi, looking to build a fence and I prefer dried PT wood (kiln dried after treatment).

I have called a few places and generally the problem is that the people who answer the phones don't even understand what I'm asking. is there any lumber yard in the bay area (prefer south bay) hat has PT KDAT? Coastal lumber told me they have it but they did not understand KDAT so I'm not totally convinced.

Thanks

Comments (3)

  • 10 years ago

    Are you asking for KDAT or explaining what you want? Maybe places don't get enough requests that it's something they're initially familiar with?

    Another option might be to search for manufacturers of KDAT lumber than then to find a distributor in your area? The first on the list was YellaWood but they apparently don't have anyone in 94101.

  • 10 years ago

    Apparently it's not common in the bay area. Only reason I asked is that I have 2 books on fence design/construction and they both say use KDAT because of shrinkage/ twisting during drying which stresses nailing and the post shrinks away from concrete footing allowing water to get in. All of the PT wood in my area seems to be doug fir which may be another reason why KDAT is not available. I can mitigate the lack of dry lumber by using Simpson connectors for joining rails to posts (I hate toenailing) and I can caulk the post where it enters the footing after it dries. The fence that came with my 15 year old production home started to fail after only 10 years so I'm trying to do the best job possible.

    Another related question I'm curious about is doug fir framing. In the past I have googled "framing lumber wet" or something like that and most posts seem to say that it's requirement that houses be framed with dry lumber. I find this hard to believe though. HD does sell dry 2x4's but only 6 footers (it also seems to be a bit of a mystery why the dry 2x4's are cheaper than the wet). I once framed some interior stairs and I had to special order dry 2x12's from a full service lumber yard - they had to call the wholesaler and ask them to stick them in the kiln for me!

  • 10 years ago

    You could always buy your lumber and stack and sticker it in a garage or somewhere for a couple months. If your climate is reasonably dry. If it's humid, keep in mind that super dry wood is going to GAIN moisture when exposed to the humid air anyway.