Another Do-It-Yourself Project from Georgia-Pacific

Picket Fence Planter

Pressure Treated Lumber

Instructions
• Cut a 1⁄2
x 3⁄8
rabbet the length of the
bottom side rails; and a 1⁄2
x 3⁄4
rabbet the
length of the bottom front and back rails.
• Glue and screw plywood base into
bottom rail rabbets.
• Cut 2, 3⁄4
deep rabbets in each corner post
to fit the rails into.
• Drill weep holes in plywood base.
• Screw rails together and glue and screw
into posts. Glue and nail pickets to rails
allowing 3⁄4
spaces between pickets.
• Glue and screw post bottoms to posts.
• Attach finials and post tops to posts with glue
and double-threaded finial screws.

Picket Fence Planter Materials Checklist

Lumber to be pressure treated Southern Pine
Welcome spring and summer with an easy-
• 7–1
x 2
x 8cut to: • 1–2
x4
x 6 cut to:
to-make picket fence planter box. Using
1–2-93⁄4
front rail, top 1–2-93⁄4
front rail, bottom
Georgia-Pacific Treated Lumber, the picket
fence planter is designed with the beginner 1–2-9 ⁄4
back rail, top
3
1–2-93⁄4
back rail, bottom
in mind.This project is fun for the family, 2–12
side rails, top • exterior cdx plywood cut to:
versatile for all seasons, and a colorful 38–121⁄4
pickets 1–2- 9
x12
x 1⁄2
base
accent for your home or deck. • 1–1
x4
x 5cut to: • 4–2
diameter full-round finials
4 –21⁄2
x 21⁄2
post tops
• 4 double-threaded finial screws
4 –21⁄2
x 21⁄2
post bottoms
2–12
side rails, bottom • 24 –11⁄2
galvanized decking screws

• 2
x2
x5 cut to: • some 11⁄4
galvanized finishing nails

4 –131⁄2
posts • 1 tube waterproof construction adhesive 13⁄4
11⁄2

51⁄2

Georgia-Pacific Corporation makes no warranties

31⁄2

expressed or implied, regarding this plan and

specifically disclaims the warranties of mer-
11⁄4

chantability and fitness for a particular purpose.

Check with an architect or a building expert to
make sure that this plan is appropriate to your 3-01⁄4

situation and meets local building codes. Read
carefully the consumer information sheet on ELEVATION
pressure treated wood before starting construction. Page 1 of 3 (Picket Fence Planter)
Did you know?
• Pressure treated wood may be
painted or stained to match any
outdoor color scheme. High-quality
latex-based paints and oil or latex
stains are recommended. Make sure
the wood is dry and free from surface
deposits before applying any coating.
• Water repellent coatings can be
applied to enhance the long-term
weathering performance.
• Only wood that is visibly clean and
free of surface residue should be used

1-0

for patios, decks and walkways.
• To help maximize surface protec-
tion and to keep your wood looking
better longer, GP recommends
applying a surface water repellent
every two years.

Questions and Answers 2-93 ⁄4

PLAN
Q What kinds of projects are ideal for
pressure treated wood?

A Choose GP pressure treated wood for decks,

porches, gazebos, planters, arbors and other
outdoor structures. You’ll enjoy the beauty of
wood plus long-lasting performance.

Q How do I dispose of unused wood?

A Scraps and sawdust should be disposed

with ordinary trash. Do not burn treated

1-3

wood, as toxic materials may be produced
as part of the smoke or ashes.

Q What is ACQ?

A Alkaline Copper Quaternary (ACQ) is a

chemical solution used as a preservative
treatment for wood to help provide long-
term protection from rot, decay and termites. SECTION
The main active ingredient in ACQ is copper,
which has long been established as the
most cost-effective preservative component
used in preserving timber. Quaternary acts
as the co-biocide in the ACQ preservative,
providing additional protection from decay,
fungi and termite attack that copper alone
would not control. Copper and quaternary
solutions similar to ACQ are used for the
control of fungi and bacteria in swimming
pools and spas.

Q How long has ACQ been in use? For the latest information
A For more than a decade, ACQ has been about pressure treated wood,
used in neighborhood playgrounds, back- visit www.gp.com, or call
yards and other outdoor projects. 1-800-282-0600.
Page 2 of 3 (Picket Fence Planter)
Safety Dispatch coated fasteners should conform to ASTM
Standard A153 and hot-dipped galvanized
3. Drill pilot holes
Especially when nailing near the edge or
coated connectors should conform to end of a board, it’s a good idea to drill pilot
Build Safely with
ASTM Standard A653 (Class G-185). In holes for your fasteners.
Pressure Treated Wood demanding applications, such as treated
Whether you’re building a new planter wood foundations and playground equip- 4. Butt boards tightly
or replacing your deck,Georgia-Pacific ment, use of stainless steel fasteners and Butt decking boards together firmly. As
pressure treated wood is the high connectors should be utilized and may be drying occurs, some shrinkage can be
performance decking choice.The projects required by building codes. expected.
you build with Georgia-Pacific pressure Electroplated galvanized fasteners 5. Apply a weather resistant finish.
treated wood products should last a long are not recognized as being corrosion Any exposed wood, pressure treated or
time.So,it makes good sense to build in a resistant for exterior applications. not, should be protected from the weather.
craftsman-like manner.Here are some helpful Aluminum should not be used in Application of a finish coat of clear or
tips to make your job easier and look better. direct contact with ACQ treated wood. semi-transparent water-repellent stain
1. Recommended Fasteners 2. Nail bark side up will help to minimize warping, checking
Use only hot-dipped galvanized or stainless Always nail boards bark side up (annual or splitting. The finish coat should be
steel fasteners, connectors and hardware rings arc upward) to reduce cupping. applied immediately to untreated wood
to help safeguard the structural integrity Nail thin boards to thicker boards to help and to pressure treated wood as soon as
of projects built with ACQ treated wood. maintain structural integrity. the surface is dry.
As a minimum requirement for use with
ACQ treated wood, hot-dipped galvanized

Safety First • Appropriate eye protection should

be worn to reduce the potential for
Use Site Precautions
eye injury from wood dust or particles ACQ treated wood may be used both inside
Pressure treated wood is easy
and flying debris during machining residences (should be clean and free of
to work with. The following
and construction. surface residues) and outdoors. However, it
simple safety procedures are should not be used in or on sites where it
recommended. • After working with pressure treated could come into contact with food, animal
wood, thoroughly wash your hands feed or drinking water.
• Do not burn treated wood. Toxic and exposed areas thoroughly with
materials may be produced as part mild soap and water before eating, Examples of such sites are as follows:
of the smoke or ashes. drinking or using tobacco products. 1. Structures for storage or handling animal
• Clean up scraps and sawdust after • Because preservatives or sawdust feed, (grain, silage, etc.) such as silos, feed
construction and dispose by may accumulate on clothes, they troughs or bunks.
ordinary trash collection. should be laundered before reuse. 2. Use as kitchen countertops or cutting boards.
• Gloves should be worn to protect Wash work clothes separately from 3. Use in construction of those portions of
against splinters and abrasions. other clothing or household items beehives which may come into contact with
• A dust mask should be worn when with which you may have contact. the honey.
sawing, machining or sanding any • Treated wood should not be used 4. Structures that would be in direct or
wood to reduce the inhalation of where it may come into direct or indirect contact with drinking water, except
wood dust.Whenever possible these indirect contact with drinking water, for uses involving incidental contact such
operations should be performed except for uses involving incidental as residential fresh water docks and
outdoors to avoid indoor accumula- contact such as fresh water docks bridges. ACQ treated lumber should not be
tions of airborne sawdust from and bridges. used in salt-water immersion applications.
treated wood.
5. Do not use ACQ treated lumber residues,
such as sawdust and shavings, as mulch.

Georgia-Pacific Corporation
Building Products
55 Park Place, N.E.
Atlanta, GA 30303
1-800 BUILD GP ©2005 Georgia-Pacific Corporation. All rights reserved.
www.gp.com/build Printed in the U.S.A. 8/05. Page 3 of 3 (Picket Fence Planter)