How much does cedar privacy fencing shrink?

[KFC911]

Obviously freshly cut several weeks ago, kept in my garage, then on my back deck a week or so gettin' humid . So I butted them together, with screws, in a couple of days...1/8" gap...make it stop . Should I lay these remaining planks out & bake on my deck....before installing....or not, due to warping, etc. I was picky as I went through the stock....and kept them all "true".... if that's all they're gonna shrink....I'm good....don't want huge gaps though....

I've never used cedar before.....same shrinkage as pine crap or whatever the typical stuff is?

[dad911]

If you shrink them (let them dry) then screw them tight, no gap, you will not be happy when the moisture content goes back up and they buckle.

[KFC911]

^^^^ Yep....really depends upon how long it's cured a bit I suppose. I was shocked at the gap after just a couple of days...just getting started...so I asked. 1/8 (as is) will be fine....don't want larger....walkin' the line . One fence I did years ago...I spaced them with a nail and the gaps ended up huge.....arg .

Meebe I should hire a guy...that ain't so picky....but I'm too picky....it's a curse .

[dad911]

Stretches 600% for a crackproof finish.....Seals joints up to 3 in.

[javadog]

If you want to get all scientific about it, you can measure the moisture content as it sits and estimate the moisture content it will eventually achieve in your particular climate and calculate the shrinkage. You won’t have a meter to measure the moisture, but you could buy one, if you were so inclined. Most likely you could install them fairly snug now, as I suspect that the moisture content will never be higher than it is now. In any event an 8th inch or 3/16 inch gap is nothing, when you’re viewing the fence from 50 feet away.

[KFC911]

Originally Posted by dad911

Stretches 600% for a crackproof finish.....Seals joints up to 3 in.

That's exactly what I use for 2" gaps in tile....much better than grout imo

JR....I have "issues" ...the little section I put up (gate, etc.) look great w/ 1/8" gaps....I'm standing 12" away...need to redo the gate a bit....then proceed. So I axed....

Thanks all...especially the caulk tip!

[javadog]

You don’t caulk a fence, but you probably know that...

As long as the gaps are uniform, you shouldn’t give two craps about what the number is.

[KFC911]

I'm going with caulk....

I'm in the process of taking them off the gate (need to tweek it a bit anyways, wouldn't otherwise)....looks great. I can close those 1/8" a bit...mebbe....I think....just askn'?

These are really not long runs 25' & mebbe half that on the other side....blocking back from the street/lights/cars etc. out front....paradise out back...acres of it....so dawgy likes

Yeah....I know....but just can't help myself...thanks!

[sammyg2]

just what exactly are you doing behind that fence that requires so much privacy mister?
Never mind, don't wanna know.

[KFC911]

Nuthin'....cars lights bugged me leanin' against the back rail facing forward last nght. Didn't sleep at all last night...like when yer switch/outlet cover plate screws don't all align straight up & down. Some of y'all might understand....it's a sickness I tell ya

I'm gonna sleep goooood tonight

[sammyg2]

Originally Posted by KC911

Nuthin'....cars lights bugged me leanin' against the back rail facing forward last nght. Didn't sleep at all last night...like when yer switch/outlet cover plate screws don't all align straight up & down. Some of y'all might understand....it's a sickness I tell ya

I'm gonna sleep goooood tonight

I file off the slots of all the screws so that problem doesn't come up no more.

[KFC911]

Originally Posted by sammyg2

I file off the slots of all the screws so that problem doesn't come up no more.

Dayum....another sleepless night....YOU SUCK!

[dad911]

Originally Posted by KC911

......like when yer switch/outlet cover plate screws don't all align straight up & down. Some of y'all might understand.........

I get it, but the slots are supposed to be horizontal, not vertical.

I was kidding about the caulk, but that's pretty good stuff.

Here's a few more to drive you nuts.

[KFC911]

Originally Posted by dad911

I get it, but the slots are supposed to be horizontal, not vertical.

I changed my heretic ways when another Pelican pointed out they collect dust horisontally. Now I don't know if he was right...but it just seemed logical, so out came the screwdriver!

[john70t]

Dust? You have dust in your house?

omg.....

[LakeCleElum]

2% per 10 degrees over 80F per month...Decreases by .0008% week after that......Rough estimate....

[RSBob]

My cedar fence has been up for two years and each picket has shrunk about 1/4” (1/8” per side) which means a quarter inch gap between boards. Just the nature of wood.

[KFC911]

^^^^ Well since Sammy had me up filing screws....I decided to go pound on my neighbor's front door at 1am....with my other neighbor's alpha GSD at my side....the one's that called the popo Sammy .

I figured if it gaps to 1/8" in less than 2 days baking...those I repositioned butted together today will end that way. I'll "cure" the rest unstacked for a day or so....

Thanks guys!

I've got screws to file....but methinks the neighbor's might need another alpha instead of me....I LOVE GSDs....and lab pups.....to show them the way to get along with the 'hood...I think we made progress....

woof!

[KFC911]

Originally Posted by LakeCleElum

2% per 10 degrees over 80F per month...Decreases by .0008% week after that......Rough estimate....

Too rough with other variables...starting point...some rain, etc. These gate boards were butted together one day...1/8" the next. I wanna be a cashier....so I don't do math these daze

[rfuerst911sc]

Can you place a board over each seam ? I think it's called shadow box ? No light will be getting through that .