KDAT Vs. Pressure Treated Wood – The Difference

Kiln Dried After Treatment (KDAT) wood is pressure treated lumber that’s been dried after the pressure treating process to deliver better performance against warps, cups, twists and checks.

Pressure treated wood has also been treated with chemicals, but none of the moisture is removed during this process. Instead, “wet” or “green” pressure treated wood is heavier, retains moisture, and has a tendency to warp, cup, twist as it dries, which is a normal characteristic of wood.

Unlike most “green” or “wet” pressure treated wood, KDAT lumber can be painted or stained immediately – by removing up to 80% of the moisture, KDAT minimizes the natural tendencies of wood to shrink, cup or warp.

Benefits of KDAT Vs. Pressure Treated Wood

• KDAT comes pre-finished in a rich, brown color, and can be painted or stained immediately. Unlike “wet” or “green” lumber where you have to wait up to a year just to paint or stain, KDAT has already had most of its moisture removed, leaving a product that’s not only finished, but ready for any coating, paint or stain application.

• KDAT is lighter, easier to handle, saw and plane. Most KDAT lumber is dried after the treating process to have 25% or less moisture content. With 75% of the moisture removed, the typical KDAT board is significantly lighter, easier to carry on the job site and much easier to cut.

• KDAT minimizes problems associated with wet decking – When moisture is wet, it has a tendency to twist, warp, cup and check as it dries. Since KDAT does all of the drying beforehand, you’re typically left with a more stable product with minimized issues associated with green or wet treated lumber.

• Better holding power for nails and screws. KDAT consistently performs with better nail and screw-holding performance over the life of the material.