Good points about sorting lumber—I've done it myself, and yeah, it's tedious but helps. Still, I've found even the straightest boards sometimes warp after a few days at home. I usually give them a bit of time to settle before framing. And you're spot-on about older houses...spent hours scratching my head over subtle dips in my place until I finally broke out the laser level. Definitely worth the extra prep.
Good advice on letting lumber settle, but honestly, even that isn't always enough. I've seen boards warp weeks after installation, especially if the moisture content wasn't right to begin with. Have you tried engineered lumber or LVLs for critical framing areas? They're pricier, sure, but they stay dead straight and save a ton of headaches down the road. For me, the extra upfront cost pays off in fewer callbacks and straighter walls long-term...just something to consider.
Totally agree about LVLs and engineered lumber for critical framing. I've used them extensively in higher-end builds, and the difference in long-term stability is pretty dramatic. Regular dimensional lumber—even after proper acclimation—can surprise you down the road, especially if your climate swings between humid summers and dry winters.
One thing I'd add is to invest in a decent moisture meter. Checking moisture content consistently before installation gives you a better shot at avoiding those unexpected warps. I've seen guys eyeball it or trust their supplier blindly, only to regret it later. Engineered lumber does take some guesswork out, but even then, storage conditions matter. Keep them off the ground and covered until installation—seems obvious, but you'd be surprised how often this gets overlooked.
At the end of the day, spending a bit extra upfront for straighter walls and fewer callbacks makes sense, especially if you're aiming for premium quality finishes.
Good points about engineered lumber and moisture meters. A few things I've noticed from experience:
- LVLs are great, but have you tried LSL studs for walls? They're engineered too, and I've found them pretty impressive for straightness—especially in kitchens or bathrooms where tile and cabinetry make imperfections painfully obvious.
- Moisture meters are handy, but honestly, even with careful checks, I've had dimensional lumber twist on me months later. Sometimes wood just has a mind of its own... frustratingly.
- Curious if anyone's experimented with metal framing in residential builds? I know it's common commercially, but I've seen a few homes lately using steel studs to avoid warping altogether. Seems like overkill at first glance, but maybe worth considering in extreme climates?
Anyway, totally agree that storage is key. Learned the hard way once when a stack of expensive engineered beams got left uncovered overnight before a rainstorm... not my finest hour.
"Moisture meters are handy, but honestly, even with careful checks, I've had dimensional lumber twist on me months later."
Yeah, totally relate to this. Last year we built a small addition and carefully checked moisture levels before framing. Everything looked good at first, but sure enough, a few studs twisted noticeably after drywall went up—talk about frustrating. Metal framing crossed my mind too, but the cost difference made me hesitate. Maybe worth it long-term though, especially if you're in an area with big humidity swings...
