"Now I usually stack lumber in the garage for a week or two before starting a build—seems to help keep things stable."
Does stacking it indoors really make that big of a difference? I'm about to start framing soon, and my garage isn't huge... wondering if even a few days would help?
I'm about to start framing soon, and my garage isn't huge... wondering if even a few days would help?
Stacking lumber indoors can help, but honestly, a few days probably won't make a huge difference unless your wood was stored somewhere really damp beforehand. Wood needs time to acclimate properly—usually at least a week or two—to see noticeable stability improvements. If space is tight, you might be better off just picking straighter lumber from the yard and framing quickly before it has a chance to warp.
"If space is tight, you might be better off just picking straighter lumber from the yard and framing quickly before it has a chance to warp."
Yeah, totally agree here. I've tried the short indoor stacking thing before—honestly didn't notice much difference. Just pick carefully at the yard and frame ASAP... less headaches later.
When we built our place, I remember spending hours at the lumber yard, carefully eyeballing each board like some kind of wood whisperer. Thought I'd nailed it (pun intended), but still ended up with a few studs twisting on me overnight. Framing quickly definitely helps, but I'm curious—has anyone tried using engineered studs or metal framing in tricky spots? Wondering if that might save some headaches down the road...
I've been down that road myself—spent ages handpicking lumber, thinking I'd outsmarted the warp gods, only to find a couple of studs twisting like pretzels after a humid night. Frustrating as heck. I did try metal framing once in a bathroom remodel, figuring moisture would be an issue. Honestly, it was pretty straightforward to work with, and the walls stayed dead straight. But... it felt kinda weird hanging drywall on metal at first, and I wasn't thrilled about needing different screws and tools. Engineered studs seem promising too, but they're pricier, and I'm skeptical if they're worth the extra cost for regular interior walls. Maybe just use them in spots you know will be tricky—like near plumbing or windows? Could save some headaches without breaking the bank.
