Proper wood storage

[SeanStuart]

Hey, I just got some 8/4 rough Mahogany from Steve Wall Lumber, and do not want it to warp. My plan is to store it flat on a 2x4 rack. Do I need to weight it down, or will it be ok just stored flat? Thanks.

[scsmith42]

As long as it is dry (and coming from Steve, it should be ) and stored in an environment that is relatively dry (shop or garage), flat storage is just fine. No need to add weight.

[SeanStuart]

Thanks. It will be in the garage, which is vented, so same temp/humidity as outside. What do you think of storing it on edge so I don't have to restack as much?

[scsmith42]

On edge should be fine.

[bluedawg76]

what scott said. fwiw, my lumber is stored vertically along a wall in the garage. easier to sort through that way and takes up less wall space (my ceiling is 9+ft). one thing to consider is that moisture wicks through the concrete floor, so I don't like storing directly on the concrete.

Sam

[srhardwoods]

another route is wrap in plastic and seal it completely. I have wrapped bundles of lumber when they came out of the kiln. This was for long term storage. Works great. trick is, wrap snug and it must be sealed well. if the wood is equalized, and sealed in the plastic then it should move on you.

[srhardwoods]

I had a typo, I meant to say "sealed in plastic then it should NOT move" .....Thanks Scott

[Tim Sherwood]

Does this mean that if you have kiln dried boards, they do not need to be stickered?

[scsmith42]

Does this mean that if you have kiln dried boards, they do not need to be stickered?

Tim, the deciding factor is not if the lumber has been kiln dried; it is what the current moisture content of the lumber is.

As long as the lumber is down below 16% or so, you can safely dry stack it. It doesn't matter if it was kiln dried or air dried, as long as the CORE of the lumber is dry, you can dry stack.

Most hardwood lumber comes out of the kiln between 6% - 8%, and then the moisture level increases as it equalizes with it's environment. If it's stored inside a climate controlled warehouse, then it will stay around 7% - 9%. If it's stored in an uncontrolled workshop, then it will probably increase up to 10% - 12%. Outside it will go up to 12% - 16% in our area.

[Tim Sherwood]

Thanks Scott! My shop is in a controlled basement. I'll check my wood when I stack it. But I should be able to get rid of a couple of buckets of sticks.