A few weeks ago I purchased some rough cut Western Red Cedar that I
plan to use for a small open-sided shelter (with metal roof) over the
barbeque on my patio. The wood was pretty fresh from the mill and was
outside in the rain for a while before I got it. Given that this will
be an outdoor structure I figured I could start construction right
away, and shouldn't have any problems with shrinking, warping, etc.
Does that sound correct, or should I dry the wood in my unheated
garage for a while? Thanks for your suggestions.
Glenn
It'll shrink. Keep it out of the weather for 2-3 months if you have to have
a certain dimension anywhere. Of course you know that it will grow in wet
weather, shrink in dry, and shrivel in sun.
If it's just a privacy fence, nail it up with small/no gaps when wet or
green.
"Bob" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>
> "g" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
>
> > outside in the rain for a while before I got it. Given that this will
> > be an outdoor structure I figured I could start construction right
> > away, and shouldn't have any problems with shrinking, warping, etc.
>
> My experience with unfinished cedar is that it will definitely shrink,
once
> placed in outdoor service full time. I didn't have too much trouble with
> warping. I saw six inch wide boards shrink 1/4 to 1/2 inch. If your
> project can tolerate that, you should be fine.
>
> Bob
>
>
"g" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> outside in the rain for a while before I got it. Given that this will
> be an outdoor structure I figured I could start construction right
> away, and shouldn't have any problems with shrinking, warping, etc.
My experience with unfinished cedar is that it will definitely shrink, once
placed in outdoor service full time. I didn't have too much trouble with
warping. I saw six inch wide boards shrink 1/4 to 1/2 inch. If your
project can tolerate that, you should be fine.
Bob