Why bark side up

Ted Calver Moderator Staff member. Messages 7, Location Yorktown, Virginia. Roger Tulk said:. Messages 18, Location Delton, Michigan. Last edited: Jul 4, Robert Rose Member. Messages Location Florida Keys. I would have to say that no matter what you do, up or down there are always a few wayward boards that do it their own way. Twisty or cupping the opposite of what you hoped. In general I go with up and hope for the best. Messages Location Central valley, calif. Bark side down has a better chance of producing a domed appearance.

In our part of the world water issues do not come into play very much. We recommend you consult with your lumber supplier for a recommendation based on the species of wood and the climate in your region. Skip to search Skip to main content. Deck Planning Calculators. Create A Free Account. But when it rains, and the board warps, water collects in the concave shape and pools there. Wood develops a memory over time, and that's why you see deck boards in the permanently cupped position even when they are dry when installed bark side up.

Another reason this method may be used is to avoid a defect called shelling. Shelling is more likely to occur with the bark side down method. This is more common in Douglas fir and Southern pine lumber than with many other deck woods. But in general, you can largely avoid this problem by being more selective when choosing each piece of lumber. It's also important to note that the bark side up method was popularized when heavy green-treated lumber was used for deck boards, and that lumber was unevenly saturated, causing warping problems.

Today's quality lumber is kiln-dried before it is cut, minimizing uneven drying. This creates a crowning warp when wet. As a result, water is shed from the board, as opposed to pooling on it. Also, the exposed board face is heartwood closer to the tree's center versus sapwood, and heartwood is more decay-resistant.

Bark side down is also the preferred method because it minimizes the chances of trip hazards due to cupping. The influence of ray cells on the shrinkage of wood. Excerpting: " "The shrinkage of wood is not the same in the three directions of the grain.

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