OT(ish) structural timber and time of year for build

[David]

Having just taken delivery of a batch of timber in the pouring rain, and having stacked it under cover to dry out (at least on the surface) I am assuming that it will have a reasonably high moisture content as it is stored outside at the BM although nominally under over.

I realise it won't be "wet" like unseasoned timber but there must be some difference in the moisture content between joists and rafters which are used in a build over the winter period, and those used towards the end of a hot, dry summer.

I also recall that timber used indoors should be given time to acclimatise to the warmer and dryer conditions indoors before final fixing (wood floors, for instance).

Just wondering how significant the difference is.

Cheers

Dave R

[The Natural Philosopher]

Enough to be bothersome.

Air dried is always a bit wetter than kiln dried or interior stored. Strangely outside under cover but otherwise open is not a great deal different from getting rained on.

I've taken firewood from outside in the rain and the wetness is all surface

[alan_m]

Or as I was once told by a long time builder, fix it in place immediately before it has chance to change shape to a twisted banana.