Featured Article by ProWood

Every deck builder knows the importance of a strong, stable substructure. It’s the part of the deck homeowners rarely see—but pros know it’s where precision matters most. A straight, consistent, and reliable frame is the foundation of every quality build.

Even with quality treated lumber, natural wood can present challenges—like occasional warping, twisting, or inconsistent sizing—that require extra time for sorting and culling on-site. That’s why we developed TrueFrame™ Joist: to give pros a straighter, more consistent option that reduces prep time and helps streamline every build.

A Better Framing Option for Deck Builders

TrueFrame Joist was designed with professional deck builders in mind. It’s the result of decades of ProWood experience in treated lumber manufacturing and a deep understanding of what contractors need most: consistency, performance, and value.

Every board is pressure-treated ground contact to resist the elements, KDAT to minimize movement on jobsite, and factory-planed for consistent sizing and smooth edges. That means fewer surprises during installation—and a cleaner, more professional finish.

TrueFrame Joist is also pre-sorted, meaning each board has already been screened for quality before it ever reaches the jobsite. The result? Less waste, less sorting, and more time building.

Key features of TrueFrame Joist:

  • Ground Contact Pressure-Treated
    ProWood’s industry-leading Ground Contact MCA treatment protects against rot, decay, and termites.
  • KDAT
    Kiln drying after treatment reduces moisture content, making each joist lighter, easier to handle, and more stable.
  • Enhanced Treatment
    Our proprietary enhanced treatment provides improved stability, keeping boards straighter longer, and helps minimize existing wood defects.
  • Factory-Planed Edges
    Boards are planed for consistent sizing—delivering a smooth, even deck frame that simplifies installation.
  • Factory-Sorted
    Boards are culled ensure only top-quality pieces are shipped, reducing waste and callbacks.
  • #1 Grade Southern Yellow Pine
    Offers greater strength and longer spans than typical #2 grade joists, as well as  enhanced aesthetics with fewer and smaller knots.
  • ProWood Limited Lifetime Warranty
    TrueFrame Joist is backed by the same warranty and expertise that pros have trusted for decades. Build with confidence knowing your materials are made to last.

Designed for Real-World Performance

Deck builders need materials that perform, save time, and keep crews moving efficiently—without overcomplicating the process.

With TrueFrame Joist, there are no special tools or fasteners, no new learning curve. Its lighter weight makes handling easier on crews, and the consistent sizing ensures joists line up quickly and evenly. Whether you’re framing a simple ground-level deck or a complex multi-tier design, TrueFrame helps you achieve better results in less time.

Because TrueFrame is kiln-dried after treatment, it’s ready for use as soon as it arrives on-site. Builders don’t need to wait for boards to dry out before installing decking – another small but significant time-saver that keeps projects on schedule.

Build with Confidence

Choosing the right materials isn’t just about price or appearance—it’s about trust. You need to know that what goes under your deck will perform year after year, no matter the climate or conditions.

TrueFrame Joist gives you that peace of mind. It’s designed to handle the elements, minimize waste, and streamline your build process – all while keeping costs under control.

Backed by ProWood’s Limited Lifetime Warranty, TrueFrame Joist is more than a product—it’s a partnership built on performance, reliability, and support for pros who take pride in their craft.

The Bottom Line

When it comes to deck framing, precision matters. So does value.

TrueFrame Joist brings both to the table—offering stable, factory-planed, KDAT lumber that is more cost-effective than alternative material substructure options.

No special tools. No learning curve. Just better lumber, built for the way you work.

Ready to Build Better?

Ask your dealer about TrueFrame Joist, or visit ProWoodLumber.com/TrueFrame to learn more about specs, applications, and installation guidelines.

TrueFrame Joist — Built for Pros. Built Better.