Red Decking in Kiln Dried Doug Fir?

[deltabrent]

My Dad is considering Re Decking his commercial fish boat in Kiln Dried Doug Fir? Bad idea? Acceptable?

I can understand that it is less flexible but is that really an issue on a flat deck? OR is there other reasons for avoiding kiln Dried wood?

[Bob Smalser]

....other reasons for avoiding kiln Dried wood?

Moisture content.

Your current deck Doug Fir? What's the MC of the deck wood currently? 12%? 16%?

What's the MC of your kilned replacement stock? If it was kilned to 7% for indoor use it will buckle as it expands to 16% in service. If it is common construction lumber kilned to 19% it should be OK if your deck averages 16% or slightly higher....otherwise it should be stacked and stickered outdoors to reach equilibrium with your deck before use.

Don't guess. Borrow or buy a moisture meter and check it out.

[MarkH]

what bob said!

I used kiln dried df

left it sat outside for a couple of months, mainly on account of putting off making a start but turned out alright

the df was 70mm x 40 cross section if that helps.

http://bf494.co.uk/media/blogs/a/thumb_plugin/deck_cover_boards1.jpg

http://bf494.co.uk/media/blogs/a/thumb_plugin/deck_cover_boards2.jpg

[deltabrent]

OK that helps and is pretty logical.
He has a covered open place to keep it and I suspect if he had it over a west coast winter it would absorb all the moisture it would need. Current deck might be Yellow Cedar? He'd redo the whole thing I suspect.

That photo looks pretty similar.

[Gerarddm]

That deck would have looked nice with a nibbing strake.