Close and present lumber
June 4, 2008 6:30 PM Subscribe
Using pressure-treated lumber to build indoor furniture: Will I Die?
I bought a whole bunch of lumber, including several pressure-treated 4x4s, that I can no longer use for its originally intended [outdoor] purpose. I'm considering using the lumber to build a platform bed, with the treated 4x4s as the legs. The plan I'm imagining involves the treated boards being completely enclosed by regular, untreated boards. However, it would still be indoors, and I would obviously be spending a lot of time in close proximity to, though never touching, the treated lumber.
How safe is this? Completely, mostly, somewhat, not at all?
I bought a whole bunch of lumber, including several pressure-treated 4x4s, that I can no longer use for its originally intended [outdoor] purpose. I'm considering using the lumber to build a platform bed, with the treated 4x4s as the legs. The plan I'm imagining involves the treated boards being completely enclosed by regular, untreated boards. However, it would still be indoors, and I would obviously be spending a lot of time in close proximity to, though never touching, the treated lumber.
How safe is this? Completely, mostly, somewhat, not at all?
I'm glad you asked.
They won't even let us throw pressure treated wood in our sanitary landfill where I live. The cost of a few more 4x4s is well worth not risking the myriad health problems you might encounter. Plus, I'd bet you might have problems getting someone else to sleep in that bed with you.
Save the pressure treated for termite/dryrot prone outdoor areas.
posted by JimmyJames at 7:07 PM on June 4, 2008
They won't even let us throw pressure treated wood in our sanitary landfill where I live. The cost of a few more 4x4s is well worth not risking the myriad health problems you might encounter. Plus, I'd bet you might have problems getting someone else to sleep in that bed with you.
Save the pressure treated for termite/dryrot prone outdoor areas.
posted by JimmyJames at 7:07 PM on June 4, 2008
Response by poster: Thanks all. Guess I'll have to find some other way to salvage the loss. Anybody in Brooklyn in the market for 40 feet of pressure treated 4x4s?
posted by boots at 7:24 PM on June 4, 2008
posted by boots at 7:24 PM on June 4, 2008
I would classify it as very safe (it's not as if you need a hazmat suit for handling the PT wood), but why add that extra bit of risk to your life? Those are nasty chemicals, no need to bring them indoors.
posted by Forktine at 7:28 PM on June 4, 2008
posted by Forktine at 7:28 PM on June 4, 2008
It doesn't have to catch on fire for there to be a risk. Pressure treated wood is treated with chemicals -- sometimes arsenic. I mean, you can sleep on a possibly arsenic-treated bed if you want. Me? I'd rather find another use for that wood (one that doesn't involve 10 hours of daily, close proximity to my lungs).
posted by mudpuppie at 7:55 PM on June 4, 2008
posted by mudpuppie at 7:55 PM on June 4, 2008
Why not use cedar? It's naturally repellant to some insects and doesn't have the nasty health effects if you machine it or sand it indoors. And it smells wonderful.
posted by Blazecock Pileon at 8:16 PM on June 4, 2008
posted by Blazecock Pileon at 8:16 PM on June 4, 2008
http://www.naturalhandyman.com/iip/infxtra/infpre.html
http://www.strongtie.com/productuse/ptwoodfaqs.html
http://www.howstuffworks.com/question278.htm
Sounds like you can use it if you seal it.
posted by theora55 at 8:56 PM on June 4, 2008
http://www.strongtie.com/productuse/ptwoodfaqs.html
http://www.howstuffworks.com/question278.htm
Sounds like you can use it if you seal it.
posted by theora55 at 8:56 PM on June 4, 2008
I have used treated lumber in a table frame and little bits here and there around the place when it was the right piece for the job. I always painted it. Nobody has died yet.
I wouldn't have any concerns about using treated lumber indoors providing it was not in contact with food or being handled raw. If you paint it, I would think it will be fine.
If your bed is burning you may have more immediate concerns than bio-accumulating poisons.
posted by bystander at 1:19 AM on June 5, 2008
I wouldn't have any concerns about using treated lumber indoors providing it was not in contact with food or being handled raw. If you paint it, I would think it will be fine.
If your bed is burning you may have more immediate concerns than bio-accumulating poisons.
posted by bystander at 1:19 AM on June 5, 2008
Oh what the heck someone deleted my post because I was sarcastic about the dangers of wood products.
Seriously, seriously, there's already stuff in your house that's way, way more toxic than some silly pressure treated wood, and if your house catches fire there's enough toxins in the air to throttle you long before the wood fumes would get you.
The MSDS lists the exposure risk to be splinters. SPLINTERS.
posted by TomMelee at 5:00 AM on June 5, 2008
Seriously, seriously, there's already stuff in your house that's way, way more toxic than some silly pressure treated wood, and if your house catches fire there's enough toxins in the air to throttle you long before the wood fumes would get you.
The MSDS lists the exposure risk to be splinters. SPLINTERS.
posted by TomMelee at 5:00 AM on June 5, 2008
Do you have a washer/dryer in your basement? Use the pressure treated stuff to build a platform to keep it off the floor. It will save your units from a lot of wear and tear and prevent rusting.
posted by Pollomacho at 5:19 AM on June 5, 2008
posted by Pollomacho at 5:19 AM on June 5, 2008
Part of it depends on whether it's relatively new lumber or old. The old stuff was treated with a copper-arsenic-chromium compound which was extremely effective and cheap, but also pretty dirty. The new stuff is just copper, but they still recommend you take similar precautions as with the old stuff.
So, it doesn't look like it'll cause you any problems, but if you want to be extra sure, cover it with a few coats of paint.
posted by electroboy at 7:13 AM on June 5, 2008
So, it doesn't look like it'll cause you any problems, but if you want to be extra sure, cover it with a few coats of paint.
posted by electroboy at 7:13 AM on June 5, 2008
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by Mblue at 6:59 PM on June 4, 2008