Not so long ago a trip to the lumberyard or building supply center for PT lumber was a simple matter. It still is … with one small .875 x 2.75-inch difference.
It’s called the end tag. You’ll find one of these small tags affixed to preservative-treated PT lumber products, including planks, joists, ledgers, stringers, posts, and columns. If you routinely read the tags, great. You’ll ace the quiz below. If you’re unfamiliar with the end tag, you’re not alone. Research indicates most contractors and DIYers don’t even notice the tags, much less understand their project value and importance.
That’s unfortunate. Contractors who are end tag-savvy hold a big information edge over their counterparts that don’t understand the end tag. End tags contain a wealth of information, including the product’s American Wood Protection Association (AWPA) Use Category designation, an industry-wide standard that’s been in place since 2001.
What’s your End Tag IQ? Take 60 seconds to find out:
1. What use type of treated lumber does UC4A stand for? A. Light duty, above ground
B. General use, ground contact
C. Structural use, ground contact
D. None of the above
2. What’s the risk of ignoring end tag information? A. Possible project shut-down by the local building code official
B. Voiding the product warranty
C. Early material failure and owner callback
D. All the above
3. Ground-contact treated lumber should be used anytime the application is:
A. In difficult to maintain, repair, or replace areas that is critical to project performance and safety
B. Less than 6 inches from the ground
C. Exposed to poor air circulation
D. Exposed to prolonged contact with vegetation or damp leaves
E. Exposed or Subject to frequent moisture
F. Used in a tropical climate
G. All the above
4. The “double-box” symbol is on the end tag indicates both the standard and the third-party inspection agency.True
False
5. The AWPA Use Category Standard presented on the treated lumber end tag is codified into the 2018 IBC® and IRC®. True
False
6. If you find PT lumber for sale without an end tag or the tag doesn’t include the double-box symbol, you should: A. Expect a sizable discount
B. Take your business elsewhere
C. Inform the retailer you’re not going to buy treated lumber without an appropriate end tag because doing that puts your project and reputation at risk
7. Does the end tag note the type of preservation system used to treat the wood? Yes
No
8. Is general use, ground contact PT lumber is fast becoming the go-to standard for nearly all applications? Yes
No
9. The Scientific Certification Systems, Inc. (SCS) seal for meeting the “Environmentally Preferable” test standard is printed on: A. All treated PT wood product end tags
B. Some treated PT wood product end tags
C. Just one brand of treated PT wood product end tag
Congratulations on taking the quiz. Your understanding of end tag basics helps you make better, more informed purchase decisions. To learn more about end tag information, check out:
Choose the Right Lumber for Your Project
Answers: 1. – B; 2. – D.; 3. – G.; 4. – True; 5. – True; 6. – C.; 7. – Yes; 8. – Yes; 9. – C.
