rationalskepticism.org

Isn't it odd that there are timber framed houses well over a hundred years old that were built without a stick of pressure treated lumber? The ONLY advantages of pressure treated lumber is its resistance to rot when in constant contact with a moist surface such as the foundation or slab, and termite control. Standard softwood framing can withstand occasional wetting very well. It's repeated wetting and drying that degrades untreated wood, and larger problems exist if a house is allowing water penetration on a repeating basis. Properly applied insecticides which target termites, such as Termidor, have a very low environmental impact and need only be applied on a 8-10 year cycle. This approach is better because termites can, and do, bypass framing to target the other wooden elements of a house. Pressure treated wood has a place, but not in walls and roofing structures.

RS