Permanent Wood Foundation Lumber Vs Pressure Treated

Foundation grade wood used in foundations is treated by steam impregnating it with a chemical called cca chromated copper arsenate at a concentration of at least 6 lbs.

Permanent wood foundation lumber vs pressure treated.

Permanent wood foundations consist of load bearing walls framed with pressure treated lumber and sheathed with pressure treated apa trade. When pressure treated wood was developed in the 1960s it became possible for wood to be used in foundation walls without being prohibitively vulnerable to damage from insects. And it provides builders and architects with detailed construction tips for a variety of building styles including both crawl space and full basement foundations. A permanent wood foundation pwf is an engineered construction system that uses load bearing exterior light frame wood walls in a below grade application.

A pwf consists of a stud wall and footing substructure constructed of approved preservative treated plywood and lumber which supports an above grade superstructure. A permanent wood foundation must have the right mix of chemicals to ensure it never rots or is eaten by termites. A pwf system consists of load bearing wall systems framed with pressure treated lumber and sheathed with pressure treated plywood. While traditional basement walls are made from masonry materials such as concrete or stone inspectors should be prepared to encounter permanent wood foundations pwfs.

But wood foundations may not last as long as a concrete or concrete block foundation.