Old lumber

[mccuha]

4 hours ago, GLS said:

I live in a 100 year old home (not old by some folks' standards) and I get the "bad news/good news" termite inspection annually.  The bad news is that the structure had termite infestation in the past.  The good news is the pine beams and joists were made of high resinous pine which limited the damage.  New structures aren't built of this pine unless it's salvaged old wood.  One inspector commented that if the house were built of new wood and not the heart pine, the roof would be sitting on the floor pilasters.  I can hardly drill through the window sashes the wood is so tough.  Gil

The lumber I have in the old barn was cut during the old growth era.  There is no termite damage and has held up to the elements very well because the wood is so dense and is full of sap wood.  The lumber I’m keeping from it to build a covered area over my patio will probably outlast my house.