So, we’ve finally finished milling all our red pine logs. They’re all stickered and covered with old metal roofing. Lets assume that it all dries well and doesn’t have insect issues… how long can it reasonably last stickered and covered until we need to start thinking about using/selling it all?
Some more information that might be helpful: we’re in upper Michigan and get all kinds of snow in the winter. The lumber stacks get several hours of sun exposure on the ends facing south. We have a plastic vapor barrier followed by 4×4 runners with the lumber stacked on top of that about 5-6’ high. Also, most of the 1” stuff from the outsides of the logs have bug/grub/ mold under the bark. The bark is coming off now and hopefully the bugs die or leave as everything dries out.
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sun directly on the ends seems like it will cause a good deal of checking, you should probably seal the ends if you haven't. Moisture will escape the ends faster than the sides and is a source of checking. I would guess that your icy winter will put a big dent in the bugs but a spray of Borate would definitely help.
With good air flow to get everything dried out they should last a very long time stickered. If it's only 4/4 then you'll be dry in 1 year and you could move to a shed for even longer life.
What are your expectations about dryness since the wood will be air dried outdoor ? It will probably reach construction lumber dryness but not cabinetmaking grade.
There’s already some checking going on, and I wasnt sure if it was too late to seal the ends. I did read that double stickers on the ends is about just as good as sealing the ends, so I double stickered most of the ends facing south.
Im new to lumber and milling and dont know what you’re referring to by “4/4”. I thought air drying and then moving into a storage unit or something could be good, but am unsure. I feel like storage units could get damp/humid in the summer and have no airflow at all. Plus, the lumber will only get as dry as the ambient humidity, so it wont be as dry as it would coming from a kiln. Although kiln dried lumber would rehydrate anyway.
Kiln dry lumber will not re hydrate unless you leave it outside as for outside furniture. In air conditioned/heated homes, it will vary between 6 and 8 % like when it was dried in the first place.
Except his wood was just milled, and not kiln dried.
Read beejberg comment .
I guess I was referring to what our uses for the lumber will be. We plan to use it as siding, framing for lean tos, and building a chicken coop. So the ambient humidity and wood moisture content will probably fluctuate with the seasons anyway.
I see, you were replying to that! Sorry. But……. You’re also dead wrong, kiln dried wood will always go back to EMC. This is just one of many Department of Forestry sources, this one is from Purdue: “Once the lumber in kiln dried, it needs to be stored in the appropriate environment of temperature and relative humidity or it will simply regain moisture.” https://www.extension.purdue.edu/extmedia/FNR/FNR_403_W.pdf
I try to make it through as much of life as possible without expectations! All I’m hoping is to not lose lumber to rot or bugs and grubs. And construction dryness is fine since most of this will be used for framing, siding, paneling and maybe some picnic tables and benches.
It's not too late, paint the ends! Hang landscape fabric in front of the lumber to block the direct sun. It can stay like that for years. I just milled some walnut that my father-in-law had milled up and stored on the ground in a shed for 40-50 years. The bottom 2 rows were worthless, but the next 12-15 were just fine.
Good idea with the landscape fabric! If i staple it on enough it might hold up to wind better than the big sheets of roofing that i put there the other day. I think i even have some laying around here already.
"dont know what you’re referring to by “4/4”
Generally rough cut lumber is referred to in quarters for the thickness. 4/4 = 1", 5/4= 1 1/4" ..... 8/4=2" thick etc. Actual measurements will vary.
Aah ok, I understand. Well, we have a lot of 1” stuff but also 2” and 4x4s. Some of the 4x4s were molding so I spaced them more like 2” apart. Most of the rest seems to be drying well so far.
My lumber is stored in my shop in a heated basement, it has gotten
as low as 4% during a cold winter.
It gets really dry here in KY. in the winter.
But after a couple yrs, the lumber is way more stable then newer
kiln dried lumber. Even when the moisture level is the same in
my old lumber as the kiln dried lumber the old lumber is always better.
I am now only using lumber that I've aged inside for more than 3 yrs.
What are you using the lumber for? This will mostly be siding, framing for lean tos and sheds and a chicken coop.
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