Untreated wood outdoors

[Tovin]

I'm wondering if it's possible to keep untreated timber outdoors over the winter?

I'm in the process of building an Attefallshus, and the timber is taking up the entire garage. It would be nice to make some space so I can at least fit the car inside.

I'd like to place beams, tongue and groove boards, and a few other things outside under a tarp. Will that work, or will the timber get damaged?

 

[Fotografen]

Stack it in a pile with a couple of thick supports, battens, and a sheet on top, and it will work. It must be stacked with battens, otherwise it will turn blue. Do not place a tarp on top down to the ground, as ground moisture will remain underneath.

 

[Rickard.]

You can't place them directly on the ground and cover them as the ground moisture will cause damage, but it usually works well if you stack them loosely on some kind of racks and leave completely open underneath.

 

[nybyggarn3]

You cannot lay them directly on the ground and cover them since ground moisture will ruin them, but it usually works well if you stack them openly on some kind of racks and leave completely open below.

Exactly. If you cover with the tarpaulin, just make a roof that covers the top and sides of the wood bundle, not reaching down to the ground.

Then it depends on what kind of wood it is. The risk of growth is probably always there if you store it outside.

 

[Tovin]

But really, how big of a difference is it compared to the wood that's already on the house? All the battens, etc., are also exposed in the same way already I think . There are nail battens behind the paneling, load and counter battens under the roof tiles, etc. Shouldn't it be the same for the wood that's lying outside? If I put beams underneath and a tarp over it to protect against rain and snow?

 

[fribygg]

If I place beams underneath and tarpaulin over to protect against rain and snow?

That would probably work, but why take a chance with tarpaulin when timber prices are what they are?

 

[Tovin]

Then it will probably be fine, but why take a chance with tarps when timber prices are what they are?

What do you mean by taking a chance? Instead of having them in the garage?

 

[fribygg]

Take a chance how do you mean? Instead of having it in the garage?

Wood under tarpaulin usually becomes unsightly, how many days, months, or years it takes, you won't know until it's too late. If you don't have space for the wood indoors, you'll need to stack it high above the ground, covered with metal sheeting. Consider how wood is stored when you buy it; why store it worse and risk it becoming unsightly?

 

[Fotografen]

The thing is, if it's going to be outside, it should be airy, with battens and elevated from the ground.

 

[nybyggarn3]

But really, how much difference is there from the timber that's already on the house? All the battens, etc., are already exposed in the same way, I think .
There are nail battens behind the paneling, load-bearing and roofing battens under the roof tiles, etc.
Shouldn't it be the same for the timber that's lying outside?
If I put beams underneath and a tarp over it to protect against rain and snow?

Exterior wood is usually not left untreated for very long before at least priming. If it is to be painted, that is.

 

[Hammarman]

Can I have studs outside on an enclosed patio during the winter months and then bring them in and mount them cold, or do they need to be warmed up for a few days at indoor temperature first?