As construction season starts to ramp up, you may be thinking of getting your materials early in order to ensure you'll have them in time for the start of your next project. This is a good strategy, especially during these times of high demand and low inventory. However, it is important to note that proper storage is essential for keeping your materials in the same condition as when you first purchased them.
Improper storage of wood materials can lead to warping and bowing, yielding extra waste, or even creating an unusable piece. In this blog, we'll go over some tips on how to keep your lumber in tip-top shape until you're ready to start on your build.
Keep it Inside
One of the best ways to help protect your lumber is to keep it dry. If possible, lumber products should be stored in a cool, dry environment to prevent cupping and bowing. Storing materials in a shop or, if space permits, inside your new build is a great way to ensure that rain or snow won't cause unwanted and irreversible damage.
Another way to make sure your lumber stays dry is to allow for some space between boards. Stacking the material and putting stickers in between rows will let air move through and provide proper ventilation.
Cover it Up
If you can't find a place to store lumber inside or under a covered area, making sure it is covered up will be crucial to keeping your material looking as good as new. This not only helps protect your lumber from excess moisture but also the damaging effects of the sun.
UV rays are just as damaging to wood products as excess moisture. Wood that is unprotected from the sun is more prone to cracking, cupping, warping, and fading. Keeping your material covered is a great way to make sure it is protected from the elements.
Off the Ground
Along those same lines, it is important to make sure you aren't storing lumber directly on the ground. Placing lumber onto dirt or grass can leave it susceptible to rot and damage from insects. If you cannot store your materials on concrete or inside, it is essential to use some sort of blocking to keep the lumber off the ground and avoid unwanted damage.
Banded or Weighted
Another key part of ensuring your lumber will remain in good shape while in storage is to keep some weight on the product or keep pieces neatly stacked and banded together. Doing this will help discourage any unwanted twisting, keeping your materials straight and ready for use.
Storing your lumber can be a great way to let it acclimate, which is an essential step in successful installation of siding and flooring products. By following this guide, you should be able to store your wood products successfully until you are ready to put them to use.
Looking to place an order for circle-sawn lumber, flooring, or siding? Contact Marks Lumber today!