• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Adverticia

Advertising Strategies for Today's Media World

  • Home
  • Topics
    • Business Tips
    • Construction
    • Family
    • Fitness
    • Furniture
    • Health
    • Swimming Pools
    • Technology
    • The Arts
  • Ask a Question
  • Contact

Decking Acclimation: Worth the Wait, Part 2

Last updated on June 7, 2018 by Sozo Staff Leave a Comment

Unweathered Ipe deck

After you’ve considered the installation method and location of your deck (see Part 1), you’ll be well on your way to discerning a reasonable acclimation time period for your decking lumber. After considering two more factors, you’ll be even closer to arriving at a specific timeframe for the task.

What’s the Weather Like?

No, we’re just not trying to make small talk, here. The climate and current season make a major impact on how much time your decking lumber will need to come to an equilibrium with its environment. Throughout the winter months, lumber tends to remain fairly stable along with moisture levels. Sure, the afternoon sun may certainly cause the temperature to rise, but since the temperatures are cooler and there is less moisture in the air, the impact will be negligible In addition, transportation from lumber yard to job site probably won’t make a major impact on the lumber.

As a result, you really don’t need to allow for acclimation during the colder months. Maybe give it a day, stacked and covered, prior to installation, but really, that’s all you’ll need — regardless of installation method. (Of course, you should be cautious about gap spacing, realizing that whatever size gap you use will be greatly reduced when moisture levels increase.)

Ipe Garapa deck

Is Your Decking Lumber Pre-Finished?

Of course, no decking lumber is actually a finished product until after it’s properly installed; however, pre-finished decking will behave differently than unfinished boards. Even if the boards are finished, they won’t be sealed in a way that prevents moving (many people misunderstand the term “sealer” or “sealant”). While finish can slow wood movement, it cannot prevent it. What a finish will do, though, is add moisture to a board. So if you’re using pre-finished boards, you need to consider how long it’s been since that added moisture had been added; it may require added time to acclimate, as a result. Now, once the boards have had time to acclimate, the finish will be beneficial by keeping them more stable.

Grooved Ipe decking boards

What’s Your Hurry?

I know, I know; we all have schedules to keep. But if there’s any question at all, it’s always best to allow extra time for acclimation. By allowing enough wiggle room in your project timeline to keep your decking lumber stacked and covered for a full 2 weeks, you’ll pretty much be safe. In the end, it’s always best to allow for a little extra time than to have a compromised deck and unhappy customer to deal with down the road.

Before we conclude this important issue, please keep in mind that we’ve been discussing decking lumber, here; the same advice would not ring true for other applications. Interior projects or any with interlocking joinery can actually become problematic if you let the boards sit around for weeks on end. But as long as you’re applying your new-found knowledge in the way that it’s intended, you really can’t go wrong.

1×4 Ipe boards

J. Gibson McIlvain Company

As an active supporter of sustainable lumber practices, the J. Gibson McIlvain Company (mcilvain.com) is one of the largest U.S. importers of exotic woods and has provided fine lumber for notable projects throughout the world, including the White House, Capitol building, Supreme Court, and the Smithsonian museums. For more information on J. Gibson McIlvain’s lumber products and services, call Monday-Friday toll free (800) 638-9100 to speak with one of their representatives.

Filed Under: Construction, Family

Additional Articles

Custom Fireplace Doors & Screens – Westchester County, NY
one by four ipe boards
Ipe Wood – Facts about Brazilian Walnut
how friendly does your church welcome first time visitors
How Does Your Church Welcome First Time Visitors?
father lovingly helping young child learn how to swim in pool
Infant & Toddler Swimming Pool Safety
happy yelling little boy in pool with giant yellow duck
Sun Protection for Infants & Toddlers
excited children in pool on floats
Fun Ideas to Consider for Your Next Pool Party

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

one × 5 =



Primary Sidebar

Tropical decking lumber
Plywood options

Featured Articles

  • Should I Use Ipe or Teak?: Two High End Lumbers Explained
  • 4 Common Tropical Decking Problems- And Their Solutions
  • Facts about Sapele Wood - Uses & Supplier Information
  • Why Is Cherry Wood So Popular?
  • Decking Considerations: Ipe Timing and Pricing
  • Hardwood Plywood: Is it Dangerous?
  • Thinking Outside the Trends: Afromosia as a Teak Alternative
  • Ipe: Air Dried, Kiln Dried, or a Combination of Both?
  • Inland & Coastal Cedar – Appreciating the Differences
  • Alternatives to Spanish Cedar: Cheaper, Readily Available & Weather Resistant
J Gibson McIlvain Lumber Company
Lyon Financial

Popular Articles

  • Stop Hiding Your Phone Number, Walmart.com
  • Dance Studio Management Software Review
  • Septic Tank Pumping in Mooresville, NC
  • How do They Get Those Surgical Instruments So Clean?
  • Are Your Shoulder Blades Crooked?
  • The Bedroom Source: Maxtrix Furniture for Kids
  • Maxtrix: Bunk Beds with Unlimited Options
  • Top 3 Household Hazards for Kids
  • Getting Started with X10 Home Automation
  • Why a Swimming Pool Is a Great Addition to a Healthy Lifestyle
X10 Home Automation

Reader Feedback

  • Norie Rie on 3 Options for Pool Heating
  • Afton Jackson on Wood Flooring: Environmental & Economic Benefits
  • Zoey Bac on 3 Options for Pool Heating
  • Karen M. on 3 Options for Pool Heating
  • Jacky Clemente on 3 Options for Pool Heating
  • Abby Cinalla on 3 Options for Pool Heating
  • Luke Smith on Benefits of Owning Your Own Swimming Pool

Copyright © 2023 Sozo Firm Inc · Privacy Policy · Disclaimer · Sitemap

Adverticia.com does not provide medical advice, treatment or diagnosis; content on this website should not be utilized for medical treatment or diagnosis. The information provided is intended for general consumer information and should not take the place as a substitute for professional medical advice.