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I'm wondering if this is due to the heat/humidity here in Durham.
I installed new deck boards on my rails last Monday (a week from yesterday) and then waited for them to "weather" a bit and stained them last Friday (four days ago). I went out to the deck last night and noticed that there were gaps between the boards at the 45-degree angles where they meet.
I measured correctly and installed them so that there were no gaps (all boards were touching) and, yet, only four days after staining them, the boards have about a 1/4" gap between them (the screws are about 1/2" back from there as I didn't want to screw the very edge for fear of the boards splitting).
Has anyone seen something like this happen here in NC?
Are you talking about plain old pressure treated lumber?
If so, unless you bought KDAT (kiln dried after treatment), the pressure treated stuff has so much moisture in it that shrinkage is expected. Warping, etc. too.
Are you talking about plain old pressure treated lumber?
If so, unless you bought KDAT (kiln dried after treatment), the pressure treated stuff has so much moisture in it that shrinkage is expected. Warping, etc. too.
Frank
Yes, it was plain pressure treated stuff. It's weird that it didn't shrink BEFORE I applied the stain, tho (if it's due to moisture drying off).
Are you talking about plain old pressure treated lumber?
If so, unless you bought KDAT (kiln dried after treatment), the pressure treated stuff has so much moisture in it that shrinkage is expected. Warping, etc. too.
Frank
Exactamundo. Pressure treated lumber will really shrink and warp. I'm considering either the new composite decking or cedar for my next deck.
I installed new deck boards on my rails last Monday (a week from yesterday) and then waited for them to "weather" a bit and stained them last Friday (four days ago). I went out to the deck last night and noticed that there were gaps between the boards at the 45-degree angles where they meet.
Uh, you're supposed to let regular pressure-treated lumber weather for weeks or months, not for a "bit."
Our porch was re-done with Cox DuraPine Dry (kiln dried) but we still waited a few weeks before finishing just to be safe.
I think even kiln dried has some moisture in it - my deck boards show some shrinkage after 10 months, but not a huge amount. No warping at all. The boards that aren't exposed to sun (in the screened porch) have not shrunk and are still snug against each other.
edit: Did a quick search - kiln dried wood can gain moisture if it's left out in the rain along the way, so it seems likely that some of my deck boards picked up some moisture that way.
Uh, you're supposed to let regular pressure-treated lumber weather for weeks or months, not for a "bit."
Our porch was re-done with Cox DuraPine Dry (kiln dried) but we still waited a few weeks before finishing just to be safe.
This is correct, but just for the casual observer ... all pressure treated wood is marked KD (kiln dried). But that "KD" is before treatment. The good stuff, mentioned above, should be marked KDAT (Kiln Dried After Treatment). It's not cheap.
We just had a load of composite/PVC decking delivered this AM. Its heart clutchingly expensive. Hopefully its worth it.
FWIW - We decided to not use the standard composite materials due to mold concerns on our largely shaded deck. The PVC based products seem to do better if mold is a concern.
Where did you buy your wood? You will find that the PT lumber from Home Depot and Lowes to warp/shrink really bad. Your best bet is to get the wood from a real local lumber supply yard like Capital City Lumber....etc.
John
Quote:
Originally Posted by nogard13
Great, now I have those boards on my deck and they don't even meet at the corners any more.
I guess I'll replace them next year (I don't feel like going through that again right now).
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