Cedar, Pine, Fir - What Warps the Least ?

[gunDriller]

I have gotten a little carried away making a butcher block door to replace a 'normal' back door that had a window in it, which wasn't so good security-wise.

I used 9 pieces of 2x4, glued them together in a fixture, then used carriage bolts to add some cross braces on the inside. Carriage bolts are the kind of screw that just have a smooth dome on the outside - nothing to unscrew, good for security.

The problem is, with the changing of the seasons, the door warps & moves. I dried the wood in the sun for a few days before gluing it - apparently not enough. I built fixtures to hold the wood tight in 2 directions while the glue set - with 3/4-10 bolts (on the 1 1/2" dimension) and 1/2-13 (on the door width, 31 1/2") tightened down to hold everything in place.

Is there any kind of observed behavior in these woods, related to grain perhaps ?

If you were making a butcher block door, what kind of wood would you use ?


I wanted to get a 2-color effect, a red wood and a 'blonde' wood, to make it look sharp. I have done this in the past on smaller wood-working projects (table tops), then ran them through an abrasive planer (huge 3 feet wide belt sander) to finish them. The result was really nice.

I wanted to do something similar on the back door, but I'm ready to cover the window on the factory door with a piece of plywood and use that for a year.

This wood warping is almost causing me to take the Lord's name in vain !! Of course, it's what I signed up for when I decided to attempt a butcher block door.

[Neuro]

Just an amateur in this, but core wood should warp the least. It should be dried for several years also. I think oak is preferable to pine which is preferable to fir, cedar I don't know about... Can't you use the old door and just put panel on it to cover the window?

[madfranks]

If I were building an exterior door, I'd use VG (vertical grain) fir, as it's not prone to warping. What kind of wood are the 2x4s you used to build your door? If the separate pieces of wood had their grains in conflicting directions, that would definitely be a cause of stress in the assembly as it expands/contracts with the temperature & moisture. Also watch for knots in the wood, as those are the prime areas where twisting/warping will occur.

2902

[gunDriller]

If I were building an exterior door, I'd use VG (vertical grain) fir, as it's not prone to warping. What kind of wood are the 2x4s you used to build your door?

4 Doug Fir 2x4's, 1 Cedar or Redwood 2x4, 4 Doug Fir 2x4's.

I'm not sure if this meets the definition of "vertical grain". The grain is running vertically.

I'm thinking it would help if I compromised. I don't like finishes, I like raw wood. But for the next go around, I will use better-dried fir, and some kind of sealer/ varnish.

[madfranks]

4 Doug Fir 2x4's, 1 Cedar or Redwood 2x4, 4 Doug Fir 2x4's.

I'm not sure if this meets the definition of "vertical grain". The grain is running vertically.

I'm thinking it would help if I compromised. I don't like finishes, I like raw wood. But for the next go around, I will use better-dried fir, and some kind of sealer/ varnish.

I believe industry standard for true VG fir is a minimum ring count of 10 per inch. That's what gives it such good dimensional stability.

[gunDriller]

Can't you use the old door and just put panel on it to cover the window?

in the short term, that's definitely the least stressful solution.

in the long run, unless i sell the house, i will want to finish the project.

[osoab]

I'm thinking it would help if I compromised. I don't like finishes, I like raw wood. But for the next go around, I will use better-dried fir, and some kind of sealer/ varnish.

Go with a clear coat and no stain. Do multiple applications while sanding between. You will have a sweet looking door.

[hoarder]

A butcher block door will change width as humidity changes. There is a reason doors are made with both vertical and horizontal members/layers. Do not clear coat the outside, hydrostatic pressure will make it peel. Stain is neccessary on the exterior if the sun will hit it, UV will break down the wood.

[gunDriller]

it looks like i will end up with a bunch of butcher block workbench tops, measuring 31 1/2" x 79. :)

[beefsteak]

it looks like i will end up with a bunch of butcher block workbench tops, measuring 31 1/2" x 79. :)

SOLD!!!

Do you deliver? Helen says she wants 2...


beefsteak

[Libertytree]

There's vital info that you haven't told us....is the door facing N,W, E,S? Part of this question depends on your geography and where the brunt of your sun and rain come from. Is it covered?

Even the very best wood can't take wet and direct sun.

[woodman]

A butcher block door will change width as humidity changes. There is a reason doors are made with both vertical and horizontal members/layers. Do not clear coat the outside, hydrostatic pressure will make it peel. Stain is neccessary on the exterior if the sun will hit it, UV will break down the wood.

Yes. Hoarder has it right. Basically you have a wood floor section as a door if you are packing them together. Vertical grain, or quarter sawn is the most stable and Doug fir is a stable (comparitively), if soft, wood. A door such as this would be fine in a drafty, rustic cabin, but not if you want a tight, stable fit.

[gunDriller]

SOLD!!!

Do you deliver? Helen says she wants 2...

beefsteak

my guess is, you would want them sanded smooth, with a proper glue job.



There's vital info that you haven't told us....is the door facing N,W, E,S? Part of this question depends on your geography and where the brunt of your sun and rain come from. Is it covered?

Even the very best wood can't take wet and direct sun.

it faces East, towards the garage. gets very little or no direct sun, and rain only when the wind is blowing.

[FreeEnergy]

security wise, steel doors are best.

but in a typical house you have so many entry points I doubt it'll be useful.