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Thread: Exterior door moisture content

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Dec 2004
    Location
    Cincinnati, OH
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    924

    Exterior door moisture content

    There is a lot of really good information on this forum on exterior door construction. What I have not found, though, is the best moisture content range at milling and build. If it makes any difference, I am working with black walnut that has been air dried for 2 years.

    The first piece that I milled today (fresh from the outdoors) checked out around 15% moisture. That seems too high to get a stable product even with laminated stiles and rails. I imagine that most commercial builders are using wood that is less than 8% or so.

    Thanks for any info you can provide.
    David
    Rustic? Well, no. That was not my intention!

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Feb 2003
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    McKean, PA
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    IMO 15% is a bit high for any project. You will some shrinkage as the door dries and maybe other undesirable movement.
    Lee Schierer
    USNA '71
    Go Navy!

    My advice, comments and suggestions are free, but it costs money to run the site. If you found something of value here please give a little something back by becoming a contributor! Please Contribute

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Dec 2010
    Location
    WNY
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    9,645
    The inside of an exterior door is exposed to the same conditions as the furniture in your house. To me, that means the wood should start out at the same MC. Where I live that means around 8% on average.

    John

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Apr 2016
    Location
    Tasmania
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    2,162
    8% inland,10% coastal or the sub/tropics has worked for me. 15% is definitely too high. Cheers

  5. #5
    Assuming you're working with 4/4 material, I would sticker it inside the house for 3-4 weeks and start over.

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