Are you considering the idea of building a new home, or renovating an existing home? If so, you’ve got a lot of choices to make, and it’s likely that your contractor may not make all of them very easy. One thing that some contractors might recommend is the use of green lumber. Green lumber can be a lot cheaper than traditional lumber, but there’s a reason why that’s the case. Green lumber is wood used for building that hasn’t been kiln-dried or otherwise seasoned. Its moisture content is greater than 19%.
In certain climates, that’s not a problem. However, in most climates, the high moisture content of green lumber can be a bad thing. Lumber will naturally adjust its moisture content to match the surrounding air. As the wood dries out, it shrinks. This can cause nail popping, warping, gaps, and other issues. In addition, green lumber can also develop mold before it’s even used for building. There are plenty of reasons to give green lumber a lot of thought before deciding to use it.
