When contractors talk about Green Lumber, they are usually referring to lumber that hasn’t been kiln dried or seasoned. This means that the lumber is still wet inside and full of sap from the tree. It is an all too common practice in the Northwest to use green lumber for rough framing due to our proximity to the lumber mills and the fact that it is cheaper than kiln dried lumber. However, the problem with this practice is two-fold.
The first problem is that as wood dries, it changes shape and warps. Depending on the severity of this process, it can cause the entire structure of your home to warp over time, which is one of the common causes of cracking in the drywall or plaster on your walls.
The second problem is that in can take years for green lumber to dry, and over time wet wood is likely to grow mold! The combination of the heat from your house and the moisture trapped in the lumber in the walls creates a friendly environment for a not so friendly fungus.
Now it’s important to note that not all “green” lumber is bad. I say this because some people may refer to lumber that came from sustainable forests as “green” lumber. I will talk about sustainable lumber more in a future article, just make sure that any lumber you get is kiln dried or seasoned before you use it to build or remodel your home.