Expert: Richard Taylor, AIA - 11/30/2007

Question
From clearing my home building lot I have enough large silver maple logs for beams and lumber that I would like to use for interior timber framing, ceiling boards, flooring and/or trim in the ICF green built home I am designing. Any words of advice about the use of silver maple for these purposes (e.g., use of 8"x 8" full size "green" beams vs. partial 8"x 4" interior facade beams, problems with silver maple twisting, cupping, etc.)?

Answer
Samuel - thanks for your question!

Silver Maple is a "softer" hardwood than the other maple species typically used for interiors.  It is entirely suitable for the uses you mentioned, however.

To ensure you don't have problems as the wood dries, take measures to climatize it to the interior of your home.  Once you've milled the boards, they should be properly stacked and stickered to help them keep their shape while they dry.

The key to drying the larger pieces is controlling the drying environment (kiln drying is obviously best), as it's more difficult to hold the larger pieces in place while they dry.  Rapid drying will cause them to twist and split the most.  If you have an enclosed conditioned space where you can control the temperature and humidity you'll have a good chance of ending up with straight beams.

Most importantly, don't install any of the wood until you're certain it's stabilized.

Hope this helps!

Richard Taylor, AIA
www.rtastudio.com
www.rtaplans.com