How do I make barn doors with pine boards that won't warp?
by Peggy
+2
We made 3 separate barn doors, painted and hung them. Every one of them has warped and no longer match up to the door openings. We even laid the wood out on the floor for days to get it to adjust to the house temp.
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Pine takes a very long time to cure and the thinner the wood the more likely it will warp. How large are the bracing boards that you used across? Perhaps you need the "x" or "z" design across the face of the door to help the boards keep their shape.
Thank you Kathy .. . we did the "z" design, but still warped. One of the concerns I had is that we did these end of summer (July/Aug) when the humidity was higher. Now with winter and heat, everything is drying and causing the warp. What wood would you suggest, if not pine?
They were probably not dry yet. We have purchased wood from suppliers before and it was supposed be cured we’ve learned our lesson to let it sit out as long as possible to dry. Sorry this has happened.
Can you sand out the warps or use the brace design of x or across the boards in 3 places to support it better?
Humidity and moisture changes will affect the wood. From the time wood is purchased and transported it can gain and lose 4 to 10 percent moisture. This gain/loss of moisture can and usually does cause the wood to cup, twist, and warp. So when gluing up a panel, should you alternate the grain, one up/one down. It is important to know the inherent risks and what may happen if you don’t. If the boards do decide to cup, the effect is greatly exaggerated when the boards all have their grain in the same orientation. As the boards start to cup they want to move in the direction of growth and will warp. Framing the panel will add thickness and extra support to limit warping.
I agree with Kathy.