Green lumber or wet lumber as it is also referred to is often used in home construction. So, what is it? And, is it good to use for home building? When a tree is cut down, the moisture that it contains gradually starts to evaporate and it will continue doing this until it reaches the same level of moisture as its environment. Green lumber is timber that still has a moisture level higher than that of its environment when it gets used in construction. How can this affect the building?
Well, even after the lumber has been used in the building, it will still continue the drying out process. As moisture continues to evaporate from the wood, it starts to shrink. This can form gaps. You could see evidence of this for example, with nails hammered into drywall, a gap might form which pushes the nail through the drywall. Although this shouldn’t create major problems, it could look unattractive.
Mold can be an issue with green lumber. Even during transportation of the wood, it could develop mold. This means that your new construction home could have a mold issue before it’s even finished.
As moisture evaporates from wood, other fluids such as sap will also escape. This can create stains and if wood has already been painted before the process has finished, it can bubble up and look bad.
Green lumber is used in construction because it is a cheaper option. Keep in mind, also, that the drier the area, the quicker it will dry out so, if you are having your home constructed, its good to involve a home inspector who can inspect the property before its completed and show you any areas of concern.
