A job in Phoenix made me stop using treated pine for all my fence posts

I was putting up a long privacy fence for a new build out there, and we used the same pressure treated 4x4s I always do. The homeowner asked me, point blank, 'How long will these last in this heat?' I gave my usual answer about 15 to 20 years. Fast forward three years later, I was back in the area for another job and drove by. The posts on the south side were already showing serious checking and splitting, way worse than I'd ever seen back home. The dry heat just baked the moisture right out of them. I talked to a local lumber guy who said for that climate, cedar or a composite post sleeve is a must, even if it costs more up front. Now I always ask about the local weather and sun exposure before I even pick up a post. Has anyone else had to switch up their standard post material for a really dry or hot area?

2 comments

2 Comments

jesse_harris13d ago

Yep, that heat is no joke. I saw the same thing happen in Las Vegas. You can't just use the same materials everywhere. That dry air will wreck standard treated wood fast. It's a good lesson to learn, even if it costs you. Always gotta adapt to the local climate.

danielm1513d ago

But isn't that just a bad contractor, @jesse_harris?