If youre interested in talking to us about a new James Hardie exterior for your home, please use the contact form to reach out to us! Moisture meters come in two types: pin-style meters and pin-less meters. The first step to prevent warping in the lumber you have in storage is understanding why it happens. For years Quad caulking by Lepage has been the standard Hardie caulking in the Edmonton market. Warping usually implies the absorption of moisture, or a difference in temperature between one surface of the board and the other. In this article, we have prepared a comprehensive guide on the best ways to store lumber without it warping. They also provide more precise readings, especially in a dense wood, where pin-style meters have difficulty penetrating. Wondering which materials are the best fit for your priorities? OSB costs roughly $6 a sheet of 4 x 8 sheathing. Essentially, a warped piece of lumber will not remain straight or lay flat. To rule out the floor covering, test itwith an appropriate moisture meter to determine if its the source of the problem. These stiffener boards will resist warping even under great stress. Finally, if youre curing your lumber yourself, how well you do can make the difference between warped wood or not. However, if you cannot ascertain that the area will stay dry, dont panic yet. long) For attachment directly to OSB they recommend: Siding nail (0.09 in. In this case, some areas of the lumber will experience an increase in their moisture content (%MC), which will also lead to warping. It is best not to expose curing lumber to humid conditions. Heres how to keep your lumber the right way. Even worse, siding could start falling off! Almost all nails and screws have some kind of rust-resistant coating, but they are not all created equal. In the next few paragraphs, we will break down the how and why of warping in timber products. Do you work with wood frequently? MDF Board Vs Plywood Board: Which is Better For Your Projects? The wood fibers on this If you want to air-dry your lumber, it is best to do it outside. Thanks for reading! Kiln-dried wood will likely expand in width from 1/8 to 1/4 for every foot. You will also discover valuable insight into the causes of warping in wood. Then, if the moisture gets extracted over time, the wood starts shrinking. It might take a little longer, but you could screw a 2x4 along the face with the drywall in place to force the board back against the studs until the all screws are in - One board centered in the middle should do with just securing it at 16" & 80" then pull the board and move on down the line. And, you can use a moisture meter to measure the moisture level of the lumber. You are probably wondering how, and rightly so. This usually means that either the floor itself or the subfloor underneath is experiencing problems. Bolt some angle iron to the backside of the door. The answer to this question is a big No. Besides, the shrinkage amount differs from one species to another. Nevertheless, they dont leave behind pinholes in the wood. If the panel still pulls up, take the panel off the wall and reglue it. Work the iron slowly over the warped area, allowing the heat Always ensure that your stored lumber has some space to breathe. While creating a horizontal stack of lumber on a shelf, you need to be wary of stacking too much lumber in one pile. So, if you look at the rate it shrinks, you will see that the boards point where the grain intersects the surface perpendicularly is the point with the maximum shrinkage. Straight and unwarped lengths of wood are essential for making good furniture. You can flatten them again with hot For example, if you are planning to replace your windows a few years after replacing your siding, tabs will make the trims much tougher to remove. If you decide you dont like the look of the 8 clearance from your soft surfaces, thats okay! Drive screws through the subfloor into floor joists to replace any loose nails or to secure seams. Continued exposure to these particles can lead to severe long-term health issues for workers if it isnt managed correctly. So, no more delays in projects due to the unavailability of wood. In other words, it warps. an hour by a skilled contractor, for an installation cost of roughly $490 for 500sq.ft. WebPlywood pieces can warp if they have been improperly stored or exposed to moisture. The majority of the claims that I did see were from people who had their siding installed so it was touching the driveway, or sometimes right down into the dirt of their flower beds! By now you probably know that Hardie siding is made of fiber cement, which requires installers to take care when cutting to make sure that they dont breathe in small sand (silica) particles. Any lower and you might see a few nail heads poking through the bottom of the next board, any higher and your siding is likely to be loose and could even rattle in the wind. WebFlathead screws long enough to penetrate the subfloor into the floor joists Wet/dry vacuum On a plywood or wood subfloor, check for loose nails and seams; remove any nails, screws, and staples that stick up above the surface. There are a few reasons why a contractor shouldnt use tabs. There is a solution. Answer. Step 2:If youre performing this service for a client, be sure to manage their expectations. Wood will never stop changing its dimensions. This happens because the boards are wet almost all the time, and the water in the board will start to expand and contract as the temperature changes. For more information about prepping a subfloor for a hardwood floor installation, consult this helpfulWood Floor Businesssubfloor guide and feel free to call us at(800) 787-1786with any questions about your project. 03/16/2011 9:17 PM. Heat an iron to high heat. He is expertise in technical aspects, woodcraft and furniture building projects. To straighten warped wood, and then soak in water. Or if you can't submerse them, put a wet cloth on the inside of the warp curve, and so Generally, the moisture content of most indoor storage areas is usually lower than the levels outside. Improve this answer. They are also more expensive. For attaching to wooden framing, they recommend: Siding nail (0.09 in. Web15K views 1 year ago A short, simple video on how to straighten warped plywood. If the warp remains, glide the iron over the convex, or humped side of the board. Indeed, one such reason is an excess amount of moisture in storage. By curing your timber until it is completely dry before you store it, you increase its resistance to warping. The measurement you get is usually indicated as moisture percentage. Check out some of these great articles! Besides, it becomes stronger. This brings us to our next point. In practice, this is very difficult for installers to do. Photo Credit: Sean Gillies on Flickr. Joint placement: James Hardie states that all joints must land on a stud, unless you have minimum 7/16 wood structural paneling as sheathing. The best method is to store plywood flat by Hardie board comes with a 30-year manufacturers warranty, but that means you need the nails to last at least that long too. Pin-style meters come with pins you can insert onto the wood to measure its electrical resistance. Always remember to match the caulking to the colour of the siding, never to the colour of the trim. So, I would suggest you to store them in the upstair rooms instead. However, basement environment might regain moisture on the wood, which will cause warping over time. This can compromise the quality and integrity of the bottom one. Don't even have to remove the You need a putty knife, pliers, wood adhesive, a hammer, paneling or finish nails, and a touch-up I can be contacted via email or phone. Besides, wet wood is usually more susceptible to rot or decay if you leave it untreated. Wherever Hardie siding meets a trim board, the company recommends you leave a 1/8 gap between the siding and the trim and apply a 3/8 bead of approved caulking to protect and seal the edge of the siding. Also, you will need to take readings of the moisture content in the wood itself. Besides, it tends to reach equilibrium (EMC) regarding moisture content. This means that the butt joints may develop a pattern if the installer is not paying attention. So, it is a win-win to dry unseasoned wood outdoors. 2 level 1 Wokkin_n_Wowwin Youll want to make your decision for an underlayment based on the location of the room and whether its above-grade or below-grade. We will tell you in a few moments. To solve this issue, James Hardie came up with a hidden fastening system for their trims. Its recommended that you should store the unopened pre-finished hardwood indoor. The bowing that occurs is actually the plywood shrinking. For most people though, trim tabs give a more predictable result with smooth trim. This indicates that wood of varying sizes will tend to shrink differently, depending on how the wood has been cut. Another essential tip to prevent your lumber from warping in storage is to keep track of the humidity levels in the storage area. By stickering your lumber, you ensure that it stays flat and supported. Its important to determine the nature of the situation before youdecide how youre going to fix it. Moreover, air-drying indoors will only extend how long the drying process for the lumber takes. strips to the board's edger that are wider that the board's thickness plus the gap between the board's bottom surface and the top surface of the bench and run it Share. Click here to see our selection of underlayments. Once the Hardie siding is installed, there is no health risk for the homeowners from silica. Its not as simple as just ripping it up and starting again. If you dont have a lumber warehouse, you can use your workshop. If you are able to pinpoint the problem and determine that you must rip up the old subfloor and install a new one, or repair the joists that hold it up, let your customer know that the scope of the project includes more than just installing a new floor. 8y Hobbyist- Gluer of Sticks I think I need some anatomy lessons. Unfortunately, some contractors dont realize that Hardie Panels need to be fastened to the studs in a consistent pattern, with full headed screws or nails. Then again, it may exhibit only one. Once youve identified a drying spot, youll need to obtain enough towels and rags to cover the surface of all of the affected boards. Lay one layer of rags or towels and place the warped boards upon them. Then, add a layer of towels/rags on top. Finally, even space bricks, cinder blocks, or other heavy and dense objects on each boards warp. Yes, you can use quartersawn boards for your tabletop. Commentdocument.getElementById("comment").setAttribute( "id", "ad525b0d929771e775b8c9b063538655" );document.getElementById("b043678aab").setAttribute( "id", "comment" ); Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. And should I wrap the hardwood panels in material from a hardware store? Method 1 Ironing Your Cards 1 Place a heat-safe cloth over the cards. On average, wood shrinks by 8% to 10% tangentially and 4% to 5% radially. The first in a series of 2-minute carpentry tips by Scott Earl Smith owner of Finishing Touch Also, youd have extra lumber in wait for your next job. But this raises the million-dollar question how do you store lumber without it warping? Concrete? WebStep 1. Begin by dipping your towel in water and draining the excess. The towel should be big enough to cover the entire surface area of the warped wood that needs to be flattened. Place the wet towel over the wooden tabletop, wood cabinet door, or other item and wait for the iron to reach its maximum heat. The EMC of boards usually changes depending on their relative humidity changes. Most of the James Hardie installation requirements in Canada are designed to deal with excess moisture. I have 3 extra boxes of unopened pre-finished Oak hardwood wrapped in the manufacturer boxes for future uses as needed. Now that you understand what warping is and why it occurs in lumber, let us show you how to prevent it. Thank you for the helpful tips. So, go ahead and install your Hardie wherever you like! OSB roof panels should always be installed with the grade stamp facing into the attic and the screened surface (with the nail guide lines) facing up. It should say right on the box. For one, it means that you can get the wood you need at discounted rates. When the nails countersink, it leaves a hole that the installer either has to fill or paint. Some woodworkers prefer to give a warped sheet a quick pop in a heat press to flatten out the warp. So after a few hours in the Clusters, steps, and zippers are all common patterns that can ruin the look of larger walls. WebWhat should be done, possibly, is to find a flat surface and place the board on it. James Hardie developed ColorPlus paint so that it sticks very well to fiber cement. Instead, carry out RH testing in areas that are a good representation of the storage areas general atmosphere. 10 Most Common Install Errors with James Hardie Siding, How to Maintain your Hardie Siding in Edmonton, Hardie Board Colours Edmonton - and 7 Things to Consider When Selecting Your Colours, Blue Jay Exterior Renovations, 4214 99 Street Northwest, Edmonton, AB, T6E 5B4, Canada. Making sure that your final product is up to par and then ensuring that there are no moisture problems waiting to rear their ugly heads will help to prevent callbacks, and will leave you with happy customers. Yes, you can. You can flatten warped MDF out by simply weighting down the board. This isnt a sure-fire way to get rid of that warping effect, but it is worth a shot. Lay two pieces of 24 wood across a work bench or table top. Lay the MDF board flat on top of the 24 battens with the MDFs bowed curve facing up. The reason is simple. Visit our E-commerce store for Flooring, Supplies and Equipment, Click here to see our selection of underlayments. Besides, the quartersawn boards are less likely to contract and expand across their width. Let your customer know about this possibility as well. 3) if that doesn't work and there is room to hide them, first reinforce the support boards with boards attached to the support boards at a 90 degree angle and out of sight. This may not only lead to the loss of quality in the lumber, but it can also affect your project and cost you lots of money. In other words, some areas of the wood dry faster than others. long Because we get so much snow and ice in Edmonton, these requirements are very important. Are you in the lumber manufacturing business? When too much of this happens, the lumber may contract or crack. Look at your warped board and identify the inside face of the C or cup. However, some woodworkers tag themselves asgreen woodworkers. Therefore, it is the drastic or excessive changes in moisture content that causes warping lumber. Heres our guide to fixing an uneven subfloor: Step 1: Assess the situation. James Hardie siding is made of cement, so it will absorb moisture if it is installed like this. It may be impossible to overemphasize how important this point is. Jason is a 40-year-old woodworker, carpenter and author who have been involved in the woodworking and woodcraft industry with 17 years of experience. long) 11ga. But heres a point to note. Apply damp heat to the concave or cupped face of the board with a towel dampened in clear water. WebHow do you flatten bowed wood? I am surprised. Your email address will not be published. Otherwise, your wood may not be able to lose as much as it should. If it's only cladding just put them up, unless they are really warped they will become flat once you nail them to the studs. In essence, warping is a defect in lumber that is undesirable for many reasons. If the moisture in the floor is within acceptable levels, the next suspect on your list is an uneven subfloor. Give it a light spritz with water and press for a few seconds, flipping if necessary. Although wood generally tends to age well on its own, poor storage conditions can quickly destroy it. shank x 0.371 in. Lumber is naturally hygroscopic. Quad caulking is UV resistant and flexible, and when it cures it shrinks about 30%. Knowing both moisture content in your storage and lumber will prepare better and prevent warping. But when it reaches EMC, the point where it no longer absorbs or gives off moisture, it reaches its most stable point. If you are interested in learning more about Hardie installation, give me a callor text and I will be happy to help. Experienced Hardie board installers know that messy caulking is the easiest and fastest way to ruin a perfectly good exterior. James Hardies warranty is in effect for each individual piece, which means that if you decide to ignore the installation instructions for a few Hardie boards, you still have a full warranty on the rest of the pieces that are installed correctly. If Hardie is installed too close to these surfaces, there is a chance that the paint will start to bubble and peel. Stickering is a method of creating horizontal stacks of lumber in which you support all your boards with 1-inch scrap woods. You can wrap your lumber in a material that is vapor-resistance. James Hardie recommends that nails be hot dip galvanized (at a minimum) or stainless steel (as a best practice). Most large factories with large timber stocks in storage use hygrometers to keep track of their moisture contents. By curing your timber until it is completely dry before you store it, you increase its resistance to warping. If the room is below-grade, a moisture-resistant underlayment is the best choice. Otherwise, you may prevent your lumber from being able to breathe, which may cause warping. Hardie Plank siding is almost always installed with air nailers, which are the best tool for quick installation. Yes, the wood dries out in stages. The furniture they make is rustic in characteristics. RELATED: 5 Ways Other James Hardie Contractors Cut Corners. Hardie Panels weigh 2.3 pounds per square foot and are only 5/16 thick. This means that youll spend more time planning and sanding them down. 1. Here are some tips to ensure that your curing process is very effective: Do not dry your lumber too slowly as this may allow moisture to remain long enough to wreak warping havoc. To avoid this change, you need to keep the boards in a controlled environment wherein humidity and temperature are kept from fluctuating. Heat Press. It will lose or absorb moisture for as long as it takes to achieve equilibrium with its surroundings. Because paper cards are flammable, an iron can burn or even set fire to your cards. (Click here to read our guide to testing moisture in hardwood floors.). So, if its surrounding is warm, wood will release moisture (dry out). This number usually revolves around +/-2% of the indicated humidity level and the actual one. How to Install Oriented Strand Board One best way to know if the wood has already dried entirely is by using a moisture meter. Installers can staple aluminum tabs to the back of the trims and then nail the tab to the wood sheathing on the wall. This one isnt a mistake so much as a pet peeve of mine, but it still can make a big difference in the look of your home. My garage is outdoors and has temperature fluctuations. Heres how to fix a few common types of subfloors: Step 4: Use a flooring underlayment to smooth out any remaining inconsistencies. That means that if installers dont wipe dust off the Hardie right away, the dust can settle and start to stick to the paint. It may also happen when there is too much humidity where you store your wood. Interested in more information about James Hardie Fiber Cement siding? Is the foundation of the house itself uneven? One point to note is that the various types of warping do not have a mutually exclusive relationship. Iron. However, if you need to save space and cannot afford horizontal stacking, you may store your wood vertically. Required fields are marked *. Carpenter Vs Woodworker: Whats the Difference? Cold wall, warm room, bow toward the wall. Last time I saw a batten it was being used as a fence. Stickering is especially essential for lumber that comes from a sawmill. Read our Homeowners Guide to Siding Renovations, an indispensable tool for anyone planning to replace their siding. Drying and warping happen faster at the end of wood pieces. Otherwise, you may negatively affect the quality of the other dried timber. It is also advisable to support the wood at the top and bottom to keep it from bowing. For storing kiln-dried timber, we recommend keeping this type of lumber indoors as much as possible. Warping is a defect in timber products caused by uneven changes in the moisture contents of different parts of the lumber. 2023 Blue Jay Exterior Renovations Inc. All Rights Reserved. While stacking horizontally, ensure that you place support brackets between every 16 inches of wood. But, by putting the right measures in place, you can extend the woods longevity and preserve its quality. Therefore, if youre measuring RH (humidity) levels in an area, it is more effective to take multiple readings. 2) biscuit it to support boards on either edge. That is not all. HD x 1-1/2 in. Ugly Touch-Ups Touch-up mistakes are by far the most common error that Edmontons James Hardie installers make. Youll see a noticeable difference in the size of the wood when this stage happens. Just keep in mind that you may be replacing some of the boards in the first row much sooner than you thought. Now, if this occurs excessively, the wood may swell to achieve an equilibrium with its environment. You can apply the same devices in your storage too to stay ahead of the moisture. This is especially important if your storage area has a relative humidity of 80% or more. So, how do you fix an uneven subfloor? In other words, one piece of lumber can experience multiple combinations of the types of wood warping. There is a lot of wisdom to buying and storing lumber in bulk. Hardie siding requires a minimum 2 gap from all hard surfaces like decks or rooflines, and at least 8 from any soft surfaces like grass, dirt, or gravel. That said, let us dive right into the various ways you can store lumber without subjecting it to warping. To flatten the hexes themselves, stack them and bind them tightly with rubber bands in all 3 directions across the six sides. This method works because the moisture in the air can evenly distribute to all parts of the wood. Do you have further questions? To flatten a warped piece of wood, youll need to change the moisture content on one side of the board. High nails are very common from inexperienced James Hardie installers, because they think the nails can go anywhere above the nail line. However, if the lumbers immediate environment is wet or humid, the wood will absorb moisture from the air. The other issue with James Hardie dust is that it sticks to ColorPlus paint. Do not stack too much wood on one shelf as excess weight is never good for wood. Warping in lumber occurs as a result of differential stress, which the uneven drying process causes. Furthermore, there is typically less humidity. Perhaps, youre looking to secure high-quality lumber. In the next few paragraphs, we will give you pro tips on storing your lumber while ensuring it does not warp. This stage brings the moisture content of the wood down by 30%. The only downside of pneumatic tools is that sometimes the installer will get going a little bit too quickly, and will lose track of where the nails are going. Term of Service | Privacy Policy | Disclaimer | About Us | Contact Us | Sitemap, Guidelines on Storage of Lumber from U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service. Maybe you could wet it down real good, lay it flat, put some heavy weights on it, and let it dry out flat.I did that with some 3/4" ply one time that warped..when it dried, it was flat.just leave it for a day or two and see what happens.worked for me.Good luck either way. " There's a better way..find it" Thomas Edison. In doing expert reports I see lots of swollen OSB, and it's usually because it's getting wet from housewrap behind stucco, and improperly flashed windows and roof/wall This change might not be that much, but it can be problematic when this wood expansion and contraction add up. RELATED: Can You Install Hardie Siding Over Existing Stucco? WebStep 4. The wood begins to shrink, and it becomes harder and denser. WebInstalling a click-lock floor over a flooring underlayment. Another option is to suggest that the contractor use a dust free fiber cement tool, like a shear or a guillotine. Have you ever wondered how much to budget for a siding renovation? You see, where you store your lumber has the most significant effect on its moisture content and subsequent changes. Particleboard? The next stage is the stage wherein moisture leaves the walls of the cells of the wood. The prices of these moisture meters range from $50 to $200. The lattice structure is incredibly rigid and because you are building it with solid wood you can mill it to ensure consistency and flatness. Honestly, it looks like that horizontal brace in the penultimate picture has bowed and is pulling the door panel with it, as shown by the thin red Finally, while storing wood vertically, the best practice is to keep it off the ground to reduce the chances of water damage. The longer the dust sits on the board, the tougher it is to remove. Do not overdry your lumber as this may induce cracking. Anything less and the nails may start to rust, leading to stains on your beautiful siding. Contractors should make sure that their cut station is outfitted with a clean cloth so the cutter can wipe the dust off right away. But you may apply the knowledge to any wood stack. roofing nail (0.121 in. Furthermore, it also means you wont need to spend money on warped and unsaleable lumber. However, you dont have to look far to find the causes of warped wood. Licensed under Flickr Creative Commons. WebSo after a few hours in the sun and some water, It's flat again.Music: Incompetech.com Carefree. HD x 2 in. Step 3: Fix it! Yes Sure, Lets say you arrive at a jobsite and you see something that no one wants to see: a floor that has peaks and valleys. If the installers do a perfect job of driving the nails flush and touching up, Hardie Trim with finish nails looks fantastic. The process will depend on the type of subfloor and the nature of the problem. It also almost does not shrinks lengthwise. Does the problem run the length of the entire room, or only certain parts of it? If you can easily fit your hand underneath your Hardie siding, 9 times out of 10 thats because the installer didnt nail the boards properly.
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