“Proper plywood storage is important to any project, so make sure you know how to store it and what to do if it gets wet.”
From exterior wall sheathing to cabinetry, plywood serves countless uses and is one of the most ubiquitous building materials, especially here in the Pacific Northwest. With so many uses and different types of plywood available, it’s important to know your options, understand the material, and pick the right product for your project.
For our Plywood Series, we’re joined by T.R. Cauthorn, Panel Sales Manager at Hampton Lumber, a leading sustainable lumber producer based in Washington and Oregon and one of Dunn Lumber’s long-standing suppliers. With nearly 30 years spent with Hampton Lumber, plus experience working in mills and forests with Georgia Pacific, T.R. is a plywood expert.
Proper plywood storage is just as important as the project itself, and when it’s not stored properly, you could compromise the entire project. In this episode, T.R. shares the number one rule for storing plywood and how to deal with moisture on a job site.
Weather impact on plywood storage
If plywood is exposed to rain or moist conditions and isn’t properly stored or applied correctly, the plywood will absorb the moisture and cause warping, swelling, or mildew. This could create issues such as a squeaky floor, a wavy roof, or black mold. While some plywood may still perform well after absorbing moisture, you’re putting the project at risk and it could become a costly mistake later on.
It’s normal to run into moisture on a project site and there are steps you can take to keep the moisture out. Bagging the units while they sit on the job site is the best insurance against problems prior to use. If you are framing the project in wet conditions, you can remove excess moisture by sweeping puddles off underlayment and bringing fans and dehumidifiers in to draw the moisture out of the floors, walls, and roof.
The oriented strand board (OSB) enhanced flooring can be a more durable panel in wet settings, but it will still absorb water over time if the moisture is not dealt with. Whether you use plywood or OSB when putting down flooring, framing walls, or installing roofing, always install it with space between sheets to leave room for it to grow and retract. If possible, the surefire way to get the best performance is to keep it dry.
The best way to store plywood
The best way to store plywood is to keep it dry. Pacific Northwest weather is consistently rainy or humid, so remember to protect plywood by storing it in a dry area or bagging it when weather requires.
Interested in learning more about plywood? Browse through our plywood series archive for more guidance and information.