Continuing our theme of keeping your home dry – especially regarding your walls – is the topic of green lumber. The first time you read the name ‘green lumber’, you might think that we’re referring to eco-friendly lumber. However, green lumber is lumber that has a moisture level greater than 19%. Typically, this means that the lumber has only recently been cut from a tree, and has not been kiln-dried or otherwise seasoned to bring it to a more long-term moisture level.
Using green lumber can be a significant saving in money and time, but it usually requires implementing some very specific construction methods. The main reason for this is because all wood will, over time, dry out until it reaches its equilibrium moisture content (EMC), which is a fancy way to say that it matches the moisture level of its’ surroundings. If lumber isn’t allowed or forced to dry out and reach that mark, there’s a high potential for it to grow mold, and introduce moisture to the rest of your house.
