Is Pressure Treated wood safe for playhouse?

[hello99]

Hi,

I want to make an outdoor playhouse/shed for my little son and I was wondering if pressure treated wood is safe? What wood should I use?

I mean for the base, 4x4 supports and the floor I think I'll have to use pressure treated stuff but I'm worried about the chemicals? What else can I use?

Thanks

[Drthorne]

the chemicals used for pt lumber is safer than what was used years ago.
cedar or composite would be an alternative, but costs a lot more

http://woodworking.about.com/od/safetyfirst/p/SafeACQLumber.htm

[woof]

Read:

http://www.toronto.ca/health/factsheet_ptw.htm

For anything that comes into contact with the ground you will probably want to go pressure treated for durability. Beyond that cedar probably makes sense although very expensive.

If you're satisfied with a limited life time for the structure, eg 10 years, then you could use regular lumber for most of the structure and then paint it which will protect it for a while. I'd still use PT though for anything in contact with the ground.

[hello99]

I was thinking of using pressure treated for the 4x4 supports and the base, then on top of the base I was going to use pressure treated plywood but instead I'll try to limit the pressure treated just to the external surface. What else can I use for the base besides pressure treated wood? Do they have tongue and grove cedar? I would like to make sure the bottom has a nice seal.

Anything else that would be cost effective?

What about for the exterior, if you get those sheets of plywood that look like barnboard from the outside, are those treated with the same chemicals?

[sockboy]

Paint is your answer. Regular lumber can last almost indefinitely outdoors if it is painted.

Look at porches and balconies on 100 year old homes. For as long as people keep them painted, they last. Well maintained 100 year old homes still have the original wood details. For the most part, it is only unpainted, poorly maintained, or wood in contact with the ground that rots.

For the "foundation" portions of your playhouse (that are in contact with the ground), use pressure treated wood - junior shouldn't be touching those parts anyway. But for all the above ground elements, just use regular wood and paint it with quality exterior paint. As an added bonus you won't find a cheaper solution.

The only reason to splurge for cedar is if you want the look of unpainted wood.

[jm1]

While ACQ PT wood (current) doesn't have the arsenic that CCA PT wood (old) had, it's still nasty stuff. ACQ is actually more corrosive than CCA, which is why nails, screws, etc. that were okay for CCA aren't good enough for ACQ.

However, I agree with others that using PT for the base structure is okay if you follow a few precautions. Paint it with a latex paint/stain and it'll act as a barrier against the chemicals if the kid should touch it. Even if kids touch bare PT wood, it's fine, just always make them wash their hands when they come back indoors or before eating outside.

[Cough]

PT wood also splinters badly.