Replies

1. 
   RoyinMD | Mar 18, 2003 12:37am | #1

   DH,

   I have stored a couple of hundred feet of walnut that way for many many years. I think the wood likes it, better than a cool damp basement. I think a little cooler would be better but I have no choice.

   My large wood rack (4'x4'x8'+) is in the attic of a detached garage. There are several other places in the shop where I store wood too. The two gable end windows have been torn out and replaced with painted plywood and vertical mounted attic fans on seperate switches. The smaller and older fan is wired with the thermostat the larger newer one is hard wired. I found even setting the theromstat at 90 the fan just ran too often, my money being blown around for no reason. The fans or fan are only used when I am out there and need them. I've been thinking of putting in a wind/convection driven turbine, the only thing holding me off is the pitch is 12/12 or is that 12/2, anyway 45 degree angle will require installation tricks I think.

   Enjoy, Roy

2. 
   billyg83440 | Mar 18, 2003 06:48pm | #2

   The only thing I'd suggest is to make sure your rafters or trusses can handle the load. You'll probably have around 3000lbs. of wood if it is green at all. Spread it around so all that weight isn't focused on 1 point. Sure don't want to do any accidental remodeling.

   As far as the heat, look at your roof framing. My trusses aren't excessivly dry, and they've been up there 27 years. The wood won't dry any more then any exposed framing in your attic.How well vented is the attic? You may want to add an attic fan to keep the temp down some.

   I'd figure where you live will make the most difference as to how dry the wood gets. Arizona desert, it'll get bone dry. Georgia with heat and 90% humidity it might not dry out much at all.

3. 
   dpw32 | Mar 18, 2003 11:01pm | #3

   Good points int he previous replies.  Is the wood kiln dried?  If so, I wouldn't be too worried about it drying any further in an attic since it's probably already down under 10% or so.

   The only other thing I could think to add would be to be wary of the color.  Cherry is very sensitive to light and will deepen its color starting immediately, even in an attic with no windows.  If there are windows, that will only exacerbate the issue.  Be prepared that the wood stacked on the outside of the pile will darken more than whats on the inside.  If it's rough lumber I would say no worries since when you surface it for use you'll remove what has darkened and get back to the "fresh" wood.  But if its been surfaced and you will want to pull out some boards in a few years and use them without surfacing, you'll be in a predicament.

   Wish my wife would let me buy 500 BF of wood to keep around just in case.

   DPW

1. 
   biosf1 | Mar 20, 2003 04:33pm | #5

   GOOD ADVICE. This is true about cherry, Ihave some cherry that I bought rough sawn 10 years ago and had some stickered out doors ,but bring it in the shop 2 or 3 wks before using it and also do this with oak , walnut and keep it covered through the winter to keep the snow from blowing in between the layers and melting on the wood and end up staning the wood , I keep about 100bd ft inside to bring up to the temp of the room and bring the moisture down just to condition it.

   Profesional furniture builder, Mid Michigan area.The climet in your area might make a BIG diferance in how your lumber is stored! Read up on this .

1. 
   RoyinMD | Mar 20, 2003 07:39pm | #6

   Most of my wood is stored rough sawn in the dark attic but I just recently used some from the shop that was "light faded" very badly. I'm thankful walnut is so forgiving in its final color.

   Enjoy, Roy

4. 
   DonC | Mar 19, 2003 04:22pm | #4

   When I stack lumber, I place 1/4" X 1/4" X 14" stickers between the boards to allow air to circulate around each individual plank. I would check your rafters moisture content with a borrowed meter. You'll probably discover that their moisture content is just fine. If you stock is green, paint the end grain with solutions to reduce loss of moisture too quickly. I just use wax but there are commerciallly available products.

   Don