Why do builders use raw lumber in new home construction?

This is a good question, and one that definitely deserves attention. Using the wrong products on wood studs inside walls can cause significant health problems and, in the worst case, even death. I know that sounds extreme, but I have personally had experience with a house that was built by a DIYer who thought that if he used all the pressure-treated wood in the walls, his house would never rot. Well, the house didn’t rot, but it stank of poison, and the owner/builder eventually died of brain tumors related to excessive exposure to toxic chemicals.

What he didn’t realize is that all the protective layers that are put on the outside of a house to keep out rain and insects form a kind of jacket around the house. And while it keeps the elements out, it keeps the living space or “air conditioning space” in. This is why it is important to keep the air conditioning space free of toxins. There are building wrap products that help the home breathe better, but this won’t stop poison odors in the wall because the 1/2″ gypsum board on the inside of the wall is much thinner and much more porous. than the 1/2″ plywood on the other side of the wall. Also, on top of the plywood, you have construction paper or house wrap, then siding and paint. Therefore, it is much easier for odors to travel into the house rather than out.

Treated lumber is primarily used for ground contact or direct contact with concrete. While treated lumber costs about half the price of alternative rot-resistant lumber (redwood), it is about 2-3 times the amount of untreated dougskin, which is the material of choice for most builders. . Most of the treated wood is actually doug fur that is injected with many different poisons (that’s why you see all the little marks on the treated wood, it’s from the injection process). Since they are taking the same doug skin wood to inject, they will typically use the number 2 boards or the low end.

Between you, me, and the rest of the world reading this, treated lumber is not a safe alternative to natural rot and pest resistant woods like redwood. States like California recently banned treated wood from all landfills and dumps due to groundwater contamination. The recent standard change has also reduced the number of toxin levels by approx. fifty%. While these efforts are a step in the right direction, it is not seen as green or green building to use products with copper or zinc napathane.

When properly protected, homes built with Doug fur can last a long, long time. However, when left unprotected, it can rot very quickly.