Storing wood vertical is a very good way of storing lumber. I just wish I had learned this sooner.
I live in NH and my 24 X 24 shop is located under ground level. I dug out the space myself from under my barn because a sunk in workshop is easier to heat in our NH winters and gives me natural AC in the summer. But it also invites moister. It’s a trade off I’ve learned to live with. For instance, I left my floors unfinished so it can breath. I’m also thinking about installing a dehumidifier, especially for the summer months. But enough about my shop. You can check it out through my profile link if you wish.
Last year, I found a little gold mine. An acquaintance here in town approached me because he knew I was a woodworking enthusiast. Because of my past heavy involvement with the Scouting in our area, he wanted to do me a favor and offered me a bunch of old oak lumber he had in his barn. He told me the wood had to be at least 50+ years old. The price was too good, but he declined a better offer I made. The boards had been standing in his barn for at least 40 years when he had acquired it from his uncle. When I got it home, I couldn’t believe how straight these 12 + inch boards were.
Besides giving me the lumber, he taught me the value of standing your lumber. I started a cabinet for a sister of mine back in May. I’m just finishing it now. Life happens… even for a retired person like myself. The point I want to make is that since last May, we have experienced a very, very humid 6 months (especially in sunken basements and workshops). Except for a couple of open windows, my shop was completely closed from mid July to mid August while my wife and I traveled cross-country. During the 6 months, I made sure my wood was standing at all times. I’m still amazed at how straight my lumber is all because I stood it on end.
-- Bernie: It never gets hot or cold in New Hampshire, just seasonal!
