poly tunnel for keeping my milled timber in?

[kinderscout]

I need a cheap way off storing my timber and keeping it dry the plan is a three metre by four poly tunnel in the back garden.your thoughts on this.

[cornish wood burner]

It will get too hot and warp timber like you wouldn't believe. We get this in glasshouses as well.

[renewablejohn]

I need a cheap way off storing my timber and keeping it dry the plan is a three metre by four poly tunnel in the back garden.your thoughts on this.

 

Fine for logs but useless for milled timber as it will crack and split due to the high temperature. For milled timber you would be better using the green plastic normally used on sheep tunnels.

[se7enthdevil]

i just use a garden shed with no windows and fairly well insulated from the wind.

 

what sizes have you got milled?

[kinderscout]

Larch,ash,sycamore,beech all cut at same thickness 2.1/4 all the planks are between six and eight ft.

I want to try and improve the way I work this year instead

of selling all the milled timber wet try and keep some by and season it.

[Goaty]

Have you got a north facing wall you could heath robinson a shelter. It will be more stable.

 

Polytunnel will only leave distorted inspirationally arty farty pieces, if you can market it.

[Beardie]

I found this: A Homemade Solar Lumber Kiln - Do-It-Yourself - MOTHER EARTH NEWS

It's a bit American, but evidently derives from first-hand experience, so should be worth a look. I also read of an even simpler method involving a polythene 'tent' with sides which could be rolled up or down to control the temperature and rate of evaporation, but can't find the reference now.

[Rob D]

I don't find my polytunnel bad for storing timber in - and it does get almost up to 40 degrees in there in the summer!

 

 

If you mill in June and stick wood straight in there - yes receipe for disaster and you will get all sorts of drying defects.

 

 

But mill in Nov/Dec and put it in there the wood is ready for some harsher conditions when they come. Also I try and keep it out of direct sunlight.

 

 

It's not ideal but done at the right times it seems to be ok.

[Peter]

Do you find condensation dripping is a problem?

[SteveA]

If you do go for a polytunnel i reckon the green shade netting would be much better than the clear plastic and leave a big gap a couple ft above ground level by fixing the shade netting to side rails.