treated timber

[andy-p-]

Ive just started price my garden fencing up.
Im using 75"x75" posts,feather edge lenghts and 4x2" bearers.
The cheapest 4x2" treated i can find is £150 from a saw mill.
could i use untreated 4x2" (alot cheaper)and teat it myself as behind the fence are fern trees so it wont get that wet?
Cheers Andy

[wood4fun]

3x2 will be strong enough but i would go with treated timber every time for a fence

[Marc]

Yes.
I don't rate some of the tanalised stuff sold anyway, it only gets a very quick treatment. Cut into it and see how far the treatment has penetrated. Besides, most people go over the finished fence with a stain/preservative afterwards.
Stand the cut (to size) ends in a bucket of preservative for a couple of hours before putting them up and paint the whole lot.

[Marc]

I type too slow.
Agree 3x2 will do for straight bearers instead of arris rails but I still think diy treatment is good enough.

[andy-p-]

Thats great, much appreciated.
What would you use for decking joists, the same 4x2" treat it myself again, 300-400mm apart?
When i get around to it they will sit on a bedded slab to get the hight i need (only 4"ish)
Andy

[wood4fun]

4x2 pressure treated on a slab base should be fine

[Marc]

Decking joists are harder to recoat in the future so i would use decent treated timber and don't forget to treat the cut ends. IMO 4x2's are adequate for a small, lowrise deck but I know others will prefer bigger, but as long as it is well supported and noggined it should be ok.

[Marc]

Either woody types faster than me or I waffle on too much.

[wood4fun]

noggins will take the whip out of the deck.

[Marc]

wipe?

whip?

[andy-p-]

thanks for that lads
Andy

[Marc]

Good luck.