Lumber is a vital construction material and is used for a vast range of projects. Their usage can be understood with a lumber takeoff of the design plan. The material comes from the forest through harvesting. This is a long process that covers bulks of tree stems in a round. These stems are processed into set dimensions for usage and then sent for usage. During all these stages lumber required storage for many reasons. This storage should be sufficient and appropriate for lumber or the resulting outcome will mean loss in terms of material and cost.
Lumber and Nature
Lumber or timber comes from trees. Full-grown trees are processed into required forms and then cut, shaped, fitting into the appropriate resulting outcomes. It has all the properties of trees; it’s organic, can be easily cut, can rot, and be a victim of infestation and various other problems.
Therefore, they need to be properly managed and stored; for which the right storage facilities are needed. these need to have all the required conditions if that is not the case, it all results in devastating consequences.
Condition to Store Lumber
The material itself is delicate and needs to store in a manner to sustain the intended quality. Simply put, these conditions are needed:
Unseasoned Wood Should Go Outdoor
Lumber stays in its best condition if kept in the right humidity. Thus, it needs to be away from any interference regarding moisture. While indoor designed storage drains any moisture, it only works for the lumber concerned with seasonal usage; the unseasoned lumber needs to be stored without all that but still away from sunlight and rain.
Seasoned Wood is Stored Indoor
The required lumber for usage needs to be in the best condition. There it is stored in specially designed facilities. These facilities keep the moisture controlled and at times dry the stored lumber. This is to keep the weight and quality of the lumber safe for usage. Right systems and devices are installed in these facilities.
Temperature and Moisture Should be Maintained
Temperature and moisture play a vital role in the health of lumber. Consequently, they are maintained in the designed storage facilities. These add up to the life of stored lumber. the right tools maintain both temperature and moisture in the air & in the stored inventory.
Stack Lumber with Brackets
The storage needs to be safe and favorable for lumber. This simply means stacking lumber with brackets. These brackets should be from 16 to 18 inches between every two beams and planks. They allow the air to pass and keep the lumber fresh for usage. They also keep the beams and planks from bowing.
Keep Stacking in a Light Quantity
Even if lumber is kept with brackets, it still carries a great danger. Therefore, it needs to be light in quantity. The bigger the stack more weight is put over the rests. This weight is deadly for all the stock. It can damage the quality, it can bend, and it can even break it. Also, the overstuffing can lead to the suffocation of lumber and thus result in deterioration.
Stack Dry Lumber Vertical
Dry lumber needs to be vertical. This proves to be space-saving and even beneficial for its shape. Both the top and bottom in a vertical alignment can be easily ensured. This proves vital for the long-term storage of dry lumber.
Stack Moist Lumber Horizontal
The moist counter needs drying and therefore it best be kept in horizontal alignment. The surface area exposed makes it easier for drying and once dried, they too can be stored like dry lumber.
Conclusion
Lumber is a brilliant construction material used for various reasons. This usage depends on the need and nature of the project. For any given project, lumber takeoff services can be availed. But before acquiring and using it, it needs to be stored in most cases. Storage is also needed for long life and other purpose. This storage needs to be in the best condition. Some of the parameters for these conditions are discussed in the article.
