Timber is a naturally occurring substance that is employed in a variety of technical applications. Timber buildings are used everywhere, from large building complexes and bridges to gates, windows, and home furnishings. Therefore, the selection of high-quality timber for building becomes crucial. But Timber is more prone to damage than plastic or metal as it is a natural substance. Improper storage of timber supplies leads to an increase in costs for a building project. When timber is kept incorrectly, the most common issues include deterioration, splits, shrinking or expansion brought on by the wood’s moisture level and discoloration. So, timber storage done correctly is critical for a variety of reasons, which means you must make the necessary storage measures from the planning stage itself. If the materials decay, you will face hefty delays. A storage strategy is all you require. 

Here are some timber storage ideas for you

If at all feasible, keep wood inside

Your timber may deteriorate if it is exposed to rainfall, sunshine, wind, and other harsh factors. Your wood supplies could twist, bend, shrink, and get discoloured if they are not well protected. Even the presence of mould and insects may result from it. Timber can be impacted by all of these, therefore the best approach to prevent harm from these elements is to store it indoors in locations that are well-ventilated.

Set them down on the ground level

Make sure to place the wood in the storage on a level, dry area. Never lay them horizontal in storage. These steps will prevent warping or bowing, allowing your wood to maintain its flatness throughout storage. Put the biggest piece at the bottom when stacking timber pieces of different sizes. To make sure that timber wood is properly stacked, use Timber Pallet Racking Products from speedrack.com

Cut down on floor contact

Make sure there is as little direct contact as possible with the floor. This is due to the fact that in some structures, dampness from the crawl area or basement can cause the floor above them to get damp. If this is put immediately on the floor, it will then have an impact on the condition of the timber. Place your timber on a flat platform that is at least 150mm off the floor to prevent this.

Moisture content monitoring

You should examine the wood’s moisture level in addition to making sure the space where you are keeping it is dry and free from dampness and humidity. Hygrometers in the storage area are a requirement for bigger factories or manufacturers so that you can monitor the moisture in every region.

Each piece’s ends should be coated

Make sure to coat the edges of each piece of timber if you intend to preserve it for a very prolonged period of time, such as a year or more. By doing this, you may keep your wood from splitting and cracking at the edges even after extended storage. Coal tar, micro crystalline wax polish, and aluminium leaf paint are among the most commonly used coatings in this respect.

Keep Storing Away From New Buildings

Avoid the mistake of storing your timber in a brand-new structure. The appliances, construction components, and technical equipment included in new structures, such as concrete and plaster, often cause a lot of moisture to accumulate. New structures expose stored wood to moisture, which ultimately destroys it.

Adding Support Boards Every 16 to 18 Inches

Make sure there are at least 16 to 18 inches between each bracket while stacking timber horizontally. At this point, the boards won’t bow if the wood is supported.

Avoid piling too much timber on a single shelf

Make sure there is space for the timber you are storing to breathe.p The bottom wood may suffocate and deteriorate if there is too much wood stacked on top of it. Additionally, too much weight may cause the timber to bend in unfavourable directions.

Utilise timber coverings

Timber wraps can help preserve the quality of your timber during storage in addition to maintaining them inside on flat and elevated surfaces. The majority of timber wraps are constructed from materials that substantially reduce the effects of weather on wood. They are very inexpensive, and most are strong enough to be used again.

Appropriately label them

Labeling your wood is just as vital as shielding it from the outdoors. This allows operators to determine information related to the management and distribution of each piece, such as the sort of wood and how long it has been held within the institution. However, avoid using conventional markings. Instead, use safe-to-use markers like timber crayons to decorate them.

Effective Curing

A further barrier against warping is to properly cure your wood, which can also lengthen its lifespan. Before storing the wood, it must be totally dry. You can stop your timber from warping by adhering to these straightforward instructions:

• Avoid allowing timber to dry out too slowly because this could enable moisture to remain for too long and cause warping.
• Prevent moisture or humidity from coming into contact with drying timber.
• Avoid over-drying wood to avoid cracking it.

These were a few tips to store timber properly, follow them, and maintain the quality of the wood!

 

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