Yeah, engineered studs can be a lifesaver for sure. But honestly, I've built a couple places now using regular kiln-dried lumber and haven't had too many issues. The trick for me was being super picky at the lumberyard—like annoyingly picky—and rejecting anything even slightly twisted or bowed. Takes more time upfront, but if you're careful picking your boards, you can still get pretty straight walls without the extra cost. Just my two cents...
Interesting approach, being picky definitely helps. I remember one project where we did exactly that, but still had some minor bowing after a few months. Wonder if humidity or storage conditions play a bigger role than we realize...?
"Wonder if humidity or storage conditions play a bigger role than we realize...?"
Humidity can definitely be tricky, but in my experience, sometimes even perfect storage won't fully solve the issue. Wood naturally expands and contracts, so maybe the real trick is allowing for controlled movement rather than trying to completely eliminate it. I've had better luck using techniques like staggered blocking or metal tension straps to minimize bowing over time... might be worth exploring those methods too.
Good points about humidity and controlled movement. I've noticed that even when lumber is stored carefully, some pieces just seem determined to warp or twist anyway. Makes me wonder if the issue might also be related to the quality or type of wood itself...
- Could certain species of lumber be more resistant to bowing or twisting?
- Does kiln-dried lumber really perform noticeably better than air-dried in terms of stability?
- And what about engineered lumber—has anyone tried switching to laminated beams or LVLs for wall framing to see if it helps?
I've had a few projects where we switched materials partway through because standard dimensional lumber was causing headaches. It wasn't always perfect, but it definitely seemed more predictable. Curious if others have had similar experiences or found particular materials that consistently hold up better over time.
I've definitely found kiln-dried lumber to be more stable overall, but even then, some species just seem naturally more prone to twisting. Engineered lumber like LVLs can help a lot—though cost and availability sometimes make it tricky for smaller projects... Have you tried Douglas fir? Seems pretty reliable in my experience.
