Experienced Deck Builders?

[EddieWalker]

Build a few decks and you'll see boards shrink every way possible.

 

[ArlyA]

Well gee, I have. None the less, the science of wood moisture gain/loss is not new and I'm not adding anything new here..

 

[ovrszd]

Well gee, I have. None the less, the science of wood moisture gain/loss is not new and I'm not adding anything new here..

And your decks don't shrink?

 

[ArlyA]

Hummmm wood does not shrink much length wise.. Its mostly in the grains (wood width) that looses thickness as it dries.

And your decks don't shrink?

 

[ovrszd]

Build a few decks and you'll see boards shrink every way possible.

I had 4 16ft PT 2x4s left from my house build. Had them stored in my heated shop for 10 days before the lumber yard picked them up for return. I should have taken a pic. There wasn't a useable 4ft span in any of them.

 

[ovrszd]

Hummmm wood does not shrink much length wise.. Its mostly in the grains (wood width) that looses thickness as it dries.

Proportionately I agree. With that said, if they shrink 1/32" per running foot it becomes substantial in 16ft.

Eddie's description of 45 degree seams is pretty accurate.

 

[ArlyA]

Wood is fairly stable along its longitudinal direction, parallel to the grain. Green lumber shrinks only 0.01 percent of its length as it dries. An 8-foot-long board will move only 3/32 inch.

 

[Tekkwolf]

Proportionately I agree. With that said, if they shrink 1/32" per running foot it becomes substantial in 16ft.

Eddie's description of 45 degree seams is pretty accurate.

A 16' board does not shrink 1/2" lengthwise... that would be a 1" gap between joints. Maybe your guys cut them short.

 

[ovrszd]

A 16' board does not shrink 1/2" lengthwise... that would be a 1" gap between joints. Maybe your guys cut them short.

My guys would be me. So you're probly right. What do I know.

 

[ovrszd]

Wood is fairly stable along its longitudinal direction, parallel to the grain. Green lumber shrinks only 0.01 percent of its length as it dries. An 8-foot-long board will move only 3/32 inch.

So a 16' would shrink 6/32"? So two 16's butted would shrink 12/32"? And that's an acceptable gap?