How fast can pressure‑treated lumber arrive on job sites in greater Los Angeles?
Pressure-treated pine and fir are stocked locally and often qualify for same‑day delivery within Los Angeles if you place your order before noon. The delivery of pallet loads for multifamily developments in Pasadena or Long Beach requires scheduling a two-hour window to ensure crews and forklifts are prepared for unloading the saturated and heavier boards.
When should I use pressure‑treated lumber in Los Angeles construction?
Building codes demand preservative-treated wood or naturally durable wood for all lumber applications that contact soil or remain near ground level. The preservative treatment process of pressure-treated wood creates resistance against rot, fungi, and termites. The material should be used for sill plates, decks, and fence posts, particularly in coastal regions and damp areas such as the South Bay, because untreated wood would decay rapidly. The use of exterior framing in contact with concrete or earth requires mandatory preservative-treated wood in most U.S. jurisdictions, including LA County.
Are there special handling considerations for pressure‑treated lumber deliveries?
Yes. The water-based preservative in ACQ-treated lumber causes the material to become heavier while making it more susceptible to cracking, warping, and shrinkage during drying. The delivery of materials should be scheduled near the installation date, or boards should be air-dried for several weeks, or KDAT lumber can be considered as a solution to these issues. The unloading process in Los Angeles neighborhoods with steep driveways and limited staging space requires additional personnel or White Gloves service selection.