For more than twenty years, our Elite Treated product line has been a key part of what we offer

at Southern Lumber & Millwork. It was developed to solve a challenge we saw every day,

providing a cost-effective, high-quality exterior trim solution that performs in the Lowcountry

Climate.

The Problem with Standard Trim Boards

Before Elite Treated, we stocked a full range of moulding, flooring, and siding profiles made

from C-grade and better Southern Yellow Pine that was dried after treatment. However, when

it came to S4S trim boards and dimensional lumber, the only option widely available was No. 1

grade material.

While No. 1 Southern Yellow Pine meets structural standards, it is not graded for appearance.

That creates several challenges when used for exterior trim applications. Surface quality can

vary, and planer knife marks, often called chatter, are common due to high-speed milling. The

treating and drying process can also raise the grain, affecting the finish. In addition, when

material is re-dried to an average moisture content around 19 percent, boards can vary in width

by as much as 3/8 of an inch. This makes it difficult to achieve clean, consistent joints, especially on longer runs.

We knew there was a better way.

What Makes Elite Treated Different

Our trademarked Elite Treated product line was created to address these issues from the

ground up. We start with locally sourced Southern Yellow Pine that is C-grade and better,

pressure treated to ground contact standards, and kiln dried after treatment for consistency.

From there, our manufacturing team machines each piece with the same level of care used for

interior finished products. The focus is on uniform dimensions, clean edges, and a smooth,

consistent surface.

Locally Made with Trusted Partners

Once machined, the material is carefully packaged and sent to our long-standing local partner,

Carolina Machine Finishing in North Charleston. Rick Jackson, Tom Grant, and their teams

consistently apply a high-quality Sherwin-Williams oil-based primer to all six sides of every

board. Each piece is then placed on drying racks and allowed to cure properly according to

manufacturer specifications. This process helps create a protective barrier that enhances

durability and long-term performance in coastal environments.

Built to Last from Yard to Jobsite

After finishing, each board is labeled with Elite Treated end tags that contain handling instructions, packaged, and returned to our King Street facility, where it is stored under cover

until it is sold.

To help the material remain protected from the elements, we sell Zinsser oil-based spray

primer so installers can reprime any factory finished ends that are cut in the field. The ends of

Southern Yellow Pine are roughly two hundred percent more porous than the face, making this

step especially important for long term performance. Most of our trade customers who

regularly use Elite Treated products understand this and emphasize its importance with their

Installers.

A Better Trim Board for Coastal Homes

What started as a solution to a common challenge has grown into a product we are proud to stand behind. It is a reflection of who we are at Southern Lumber, always focused on improving, refining, and finding better ways to serve our builders.