Have you noticed a big difference with blocking? I've skipped it a few times on smaller projects and honestly didn't see much change. But on larger walls, especially exterior ones, I wouldn't risk it. Learned that the hard way when a wall bowed out slightly after drywall went up—fixing that was a nightmare. Curious if anyone else has had similar experiences or if I'm just unlucky...
"Learned that the hard way when a wall bowed out slightly after drywall went up—fixing that was a nightmare."
You're definitely not alone in this. I've found blocking to be crucial, especially on taller or exterior walls. Even minor bows become painfully obvious when you start finishing surfaces or installing cabinetry. One time, we skipped blocking on what seemed like a manageable interior wall, and it ended up costing us hours of extra work to get things aligned perfectly later on. Better safe than sorry in my experience...
"fixing that was a nightmare."
Been there... honestly, it's one of those lessons you only need to learn once. Lumber's rarely perfect, and even a tiny warp can snowball into hours of frustration down the line. I've found that taking extra time early on—checking alignment obsessively and shimming where needed—is worth every minute. Still, no matter how careful you are, sometimes wood just has other plans. Hang in there, you're definitely not alone with this headache.
"Still, no matter how careful you are, sometimes wood just has other plans."
Haha, exactly. Reminds me of a project where I triple-checked everything, and the wall still ended up looking like it had a mind of its own. Wood's gonna wood, I guess...
I get the frustration, but honestly, blaming the wood might be missing the bigger issue. Lumber naturally moves—humidity, temperature changes, even subtle shifts in foundation can cause all sorts of headaches. If you're consistently struggling, maybe it's time to reconsider your materials. Engineered wood products or sustainably sourced composite lumber can offer better stability and are often more predictable. Sure, there's a learning curve and slightly higher upfront costs, but long-term results usually speak for themselves...
