Does 'smooth planed' generally equate ready to use?

LFS19 · 19 Jul 2018

Hi everyone.

I'm currently building a new raised panel internal door for a bedroom.
I bought the wood - smooth planed - from B&Q. While the building of the door is going well, at the back of my mind I'm concerned about moisture changes between different environments effecting the wood.

Unfortunatly the sticker has come off so I'm unsure of the drying process of this particular batch, but should I be ok having bought smooth planed wood? Is it ready to use, build with and bring inside? or do I need to leave it alone for a while in one place before assembly? I need to read and learn in detail about the drying processes of wood, which I will do, though the door needs to be built fairly quickly so I thought I better ask here in the meantime!

Thanks

Grawschbags · 19 Jul 2018

Any smooth (PAR) timber I've bought has moved over time. I normally leave it for a few weeks before prepping for use.

Harbo · 19 Jul 2018

Sadly B&Q is not the best place to buy wood from so be prepared for all sorts of things to happen to it. Was it shrink wrapped?
If it does behave itself then the planed wood should only need a light sanding and if pine, knot treatment.

Rod

Doug71 · 19 Jul 2018

I made my panelled internal door out of unsorted redwood (and I saved all the best bits I came across for them), It spent a few months acclimatising in the house, I planed it over size, acclimatised a bit more then planed to size and made the doors. Some of it has still moved and the end of the tenons are now slightly proud of the outside of the stiles so it has dried out more over the years.

Good luck with your wood from B&Q, sorry not very helpful.

Actually just seen you are from East Yorks, might not be far away so pm me if you think I might be of any help.

LFS19 · 22 Jul 2018

Grawschbags":3v7yxcb4 said:
Any smooth (PAR) timber I've bought has moved over time. I normally leave it for a few weeks before prepping for use.

Hmm. Feared as much. Thanks for the heads up!

LFS19 · 22 Jul 2018

Harbo":2ec0lhgj said:
Sadly B&Q is not the best place to buy wood from so be prepared for all sorts of things to happen to it. Was it shrink wrapped?
If it does behave itself then the planed wood should only need a light sanding and if pine, knot treatment.

Rod

Indeed it is not. I learned the hard way before I even recived the wood, waiting over a month for it to arrive with B&Q essentially saying “not our fault! It’s our suppliers!” :evil:

It was wrapped in plastic but not shrink wrapped, no. One of the boards was actuallt quite badly damaged on edge when it arrived, too.
Thanks for the post!