Storage of floor chipboard during winter?

[JOW]

What is required to store flooring chipboards over the winter without them getting damaged?

I was thinking of stacking a pile in an old barn (which is empty of animals, cleared out, and functions as lumber storage), i.e., there is a roof and walls, but no heating or ventilation (except for that aided by the wind).

Will that work?

The reason for the question is that we are planning to build a stick-built house starting this spring. My plan is to mill grooves for underfloor heating in the flooring chipboards for the intermediate floor during the winter.

So the question is only about the storage; the milling will be handled in another thread, thanks in advance for any tips!

/Oskar

 

[LAINE]

Considering how the building trade stores them, your suggestion is also completely okay. Should be protected against water and moisture.

 

[carra]

No, don't store them that way, they absorb moisture!

Maybe some hardware store stores them like that, but it's not recommended!

 

[LAINE]

No, do not store them that way, they absorb moisture!

Maybe some building shops store them like that but it is not recommended!

I don't think the building shop would store their goods in an inappropriate way. As TS mentioned, his place seems to be moisture-free so I don't see any risk in storing them in the barn.

 

[carra]

Quote from Byggelit's info on construction boards: "Optimal storage conditions are 15-25 degrees Celsius and 50-60% relative humidity" end quote.

 

[JOW]

Ah, thanks for byggelit, found their page now....
At the time of writing, RH in Uppsala (according to SMHI) is 99%.

In golv_broschyr_sve.pdf

During transport, the chipboard must be placed on a flat surface and protected against moisture and mechanical damage. Upon delivery from the factory, the boards have a moisture content of about 7% ± 2, which corresponds to approximately 30–60% relative humidity. To maintain the same high quality as at delivery, they should preferably be stored indoors, dry, flat, and well-supported. The relative humidity (RH) should not exceed 65%. If the boards are stored outdoors, they must be covered in such a way that good air exchange is achieved. Never stack the boards directly on the ground but place them on a flat surface at least 1 dm from the ground and protect them from ground moisture with a moisture barrier.

In montanv_tempo_sv.pdf:

Protection during storage
The chipboard should be stored indoors. Outdoor storage should be short-term, and the chipboard must be carefully covered, for example, with a tarp, to protect the boards from precipitation. Good ventilation is necessary when covering. The chipboard should be stored on a flat and horizontal surface. NOTE! The chipboard should never be stacked directly on the ground without a moisture barrier. There should be a base that distances the boards at least 1 dm from the ground. The most suitable storage conditions are +15–25 °C and 50–65% relative humidity (RH). RH should not exceed 80% for extended periods.

The question is how quickly the equilibrium moisture content in the chipboard changes if it is positioned dry and airy but outdoors over a winter... you don't want to take chances!

Probably need to rethink the strategy, I would think.