What wood works best for an outdoor project that will be painted?

Do I go with pressure treated pine or regular pine (or other type of wood) (because of the mostiure content) I am looking to replace the railings on my deck with white and add a pergola. They need to be white to match other surrounding elements. Also what kind of paint? (oil-based, exterior?)


One note: please don't say cedar, since paint and cedar don't react well together. Thanks in advance!!!What wood works best for an outdoor project that will be painted?
I built my deck and pergola with pressure treated pine and spent the next 5 years pressure washing it every year then I went to Plan B..





Use pressure treated lumber - if the deck/pergola is mostly in the shade let the lumber dry out for a year. If it is in the sun let it dry for a few months.





Plan B is to paint the wood with exterior latex paint after the drying period. It has been many years and the painted surfaces look great and have never been power washed.





If you use non pressure treated wood you will eventually have rot problems wherever 2 or more boards meet.What wood works best for an outdoor project that will be painted?
My choice would be pressure treated lumber (usually fir). The price is right and if properly coated with an oil based primer and oil based topcoats will last a very long time. Will require re-coating down the road but the look is worth it. There is another outdoor lumber being used now. Ipe is a VERY durable lumber used primarily for decks. Very strong and long lasting, but hard on tools and the pocket book. Worth checking out though!
I believe that pressure treated pine would be fine to use because of the weather. Also mahogany would be fine but a little more expensive.
Poplar is good if you can get it in sizes you need .


Relatively hard ,remains straight %26amp; paints well.


Gonna say it anyhow...cedar.


I have a white painted porch w/ cedar posts,railing %26amp; ballusters..


Youre right.


If not properly primed, cedar resins will discolor paint.


I primed w/ Killz %26amp; then used Benjamin Moore, latex, Moorglow exterior white


Porch has been painted 3 times in 15 years.


It has remained bright w/ no problems.


One trick is to backprime everything before building ,esp ends which can discolor.


Also , use stainless nails %26amp; screws to avoid corrosion by the resins which give the wood it's durability.


Pressure treated lumber is never all that straight %26amp; does not paint up as well as properly sealed cedar for my money.


Cedar...really.


Best regards
It doesn't really matter. Whatever wood you use, make sure it is well dried before you paint it. When I build new stuff, I'll let it stand unfinished for at least a couple of months before I paint it, that way all the volatile elements will have evaporated out of the wood and it will accept the finish better.





You will need to use a good primer first before painting or else the wood oils and/or preservatives will bleed through the paint. Definitely use exterior paint, but there are good quality latex products available so you don't have to go through the pain of cleaning up the oil-based stuff. If you don't mind the mess, you will probably get a slightly longer life out of the oil-based products.