Western Red Cedar Moisture Content
 

I am getting ready to start a project on my house that includes
columns, fascia and trimwork done in Western Red Cedar. I plan to plane
the wood smooth and finish with Sikkens Cetol 1 and Cetol 23.

I have purchased some of the wood already and have been storing it in
my basement. I live in the northeast and it has been very hot and
humid. The wood is supposed to be kiln dried but I am getting moisture
readings of 17-18% which is the max allowed by Sikkens. Is this a very
high moisture reading for kiln dried or is it what you would expect
because of the weather conditions? When I go back to the lumberyard for
more wood, what should I expect/accept for moisture content on kiln
dried WRC? If anyone has any ideas or suggestions about fininshing WRC,
I would like to hear from them.

Thanks,
Chuck

"Chuck" wrote in message
oups.com...
I am getting ready to start a project on my house that includes
columns, fascia and trimwork done in Western Red Cedar. I plan to plane
the wood smooth and finish with Sikkens Cetol 1 and Cetol 23.

I have purchased some of the wood already and have been storing it in
my basement. I live in the northeast and it has been very hot and
humid. The wood is supposed to be kiln dried but I am getting moisture
readings of 17-18% which is the max allowed by Sikkens. Is this a very
high moisture reading for kiln dried or is it what you would expect
because of the weather conditions? When I go back to the lumberyard for
more wood, what should I expect/accept for moisture content on kiln
dried WRC? If anyone has any ideas or suggestions about fininshing WRC,
I would like to hear from them.

Most kiln dried wood moisture content rules are "no more than 19%". So at
17-18%, your wood would be considered kiln dried.
SH

Chuck wrote:
I am getting ready to start a project on my house that includes
columns, fascia and trimwork done in Western Red Cedar. I plan to plane
the wood smooth and finish with Sikkens Cetol 1 and Cetol 23.

Western Red Cedar can be very nasty stuff.

Make sure you wear a good dust mask and watch out for splinters.

If you pick up one, pull it as fast as possible.

Lew

"Slowhand" I'm@work wrote in message
...

"Chuck" wrote in message
oups.com...
I am getting ready to start a project on my house that includes
columns, fascia and trimwork done in Western Red Cedar. I plan to plane
the wood smooth and finish with Sikkens Cetol 1 and Cetol 23.

I have purchased some of the wood already and have been storing it in
my basement. I live in the northeast and it has been very hot and
humid. The wood is supposed to be kiln dried but I am getting moisture
readings of 17-18% which is the max allowed by Sikkens. Is this a very
high moisture reading for kiln dried or is it what you would expect
because of the weather conditions? When I go back to the lumberyard for
more wood, what should I expect/accept for moisture content on kiln
dried WRC? If anyone has any ideas or suggestions about fininshing WRC,
I would like to hear from them.

Most kiln dried wood moisture content rules are "no more than 19%". So at
17-18%, your wood would be considered kiln dried.
SH



Well, it may have been much less when it left the kiln, but since it picks
up moisture from the humid air, it will change.

17% equates to ~82% Relative Humidity.