Bed Floor Help!!!

[mas09ts]

Could someone tell me some good bed woods, I know oak is really good. But what is a good long lasting alternative to oak. I have a stack of hemlock boards but I don't know if they would last. Could someone help me please?

[PanelDeland]

Hard wood will generally last longer.I haven't a clue about hemlock.The big factor on keeping bedwood good is to protect it from the weather.You can do that by keeping it covered with a bedcover or garage or by keeping it finished with a good quality wood finish.

Here's some info http://www.thefreedictionary.com/hemlock

There are several threads on what memebers have done to preserve their bedwood.You can do a search and see if you find a finish you think will work for your purpose.

[hounddogs!]

Don't know how far east it's available, but I'd use hedge (Osage Orange). It is rock hard when it dries. Not something you'll find at the lumberyard, though.

[ljbear]

I've used oak and maple with good results. The secret to having it last is the finish. I use an oil stain to get the tone I want and let that dry before lightly sanding. I then apply 6-7 coats of a good quality Spar varnish to all surfaces, edges and ends included. That needs at least 24 hours to dry between coats, lightly sand and the reapply another coat. It takes a lot of time to do it right

[71tahoe]

Does anyone have personal experience using cypress? It's supposed to be naturally resistant to weather damage.

[mas09ts]

Thanks for all the info, the more the better. I would still like to know if hemlock would last, anyone out there know?

[Dingfodgy]

Outside of the venerable Douglas Fir- Hemlock & Spruce are the predominant species of lumber way out here on the frontier. As mentioned before, hardwoods such as Oak, Maple, Hickory, Mahogany, and Walnut will be the most durable (i.e. expensive). Any of the straight-grain softwoods like your Hemlock will last quite awhile IF protected from the elements properly. Lots and lots of Val-Spar Marine varnish is probably the best method.
If your budget can take take the sticker shock....check out some Jarrah out of the land down-under (Australia). The stuff is crazy durable and looks killer to boot.

[mas09ts]

So hemlock with a really good varnish on it should last at least 10 yrs. right? It's not going to be used a whole lot, maybe the occasional atv will be in the bed of the truck, but it will be outside in the weather, not in a garage. I have the hemlock boards ready to run through the planer if I know they will last. Thanks for the info Dingfodgy. Anyone else have any more info?

[ljbear]

Hemlock is used in construction, a second choice for framing materials behind Douglas Fir. It needs to be kiln dried and finished properly for a pickup bed. If you do all of that and keep it dry it could last 20 years or longer. Weather is the enemy of wood

[mas09ts]

So if I were to varnish the topside of the boards, and on the bottom side maybe undercoat it would it last out in the weather?

[mas09ts]

bump???

[Woz]

I just finished mine with 1XGreenTreated. A little work with the table saw and a bit of water sealer should last long enough for me. Looks good and is functional!

['68 C-20]

Since you have asked twice about Hemlock, here is a lot more information than you wanted !

I have built several buildings (including a timber frame post and beam barn) with Hemlock, it is common here in the northeast. It is insect resistant and tends to get a bit harder with age. Standing vertically as a post it sheds water well and lasts for lifetimes, laying horizontal it will need to be treated and re-treated every few years. It will look nice, however in my experience, even if it is kiln dried if you use it outside and it is exposed it will checker. (those cracks that run along the length of a board).

Now the science lesson! The Cambium layer which makes the rings you can see on a stump or the wood grain pattern in a sawn board are more dense than the surrounding wood. In Hemlock the Cambium is a bit denser than most and the wood between the layers a bit softer than most, this natural lamination is what gives Hemlock its strength. In a sawn board the softer wood layer is exposed and moisture gets into these softer layers and they swell a bit, pushing or lifting the Cambium layer, which cannot absorb water, hence the checkering. Temperature and moister will re-enter the kiln dried lumber, it will swell and cracks will appear. They do not affect the strength, but you might be disappointed with the look. This does not affect a timber beam standing on its end as the water cannot enter through the layers of Cambium, hence the superior strength of a Hemlock post.

The factory used Southern Yellow Pine originally, you might consider that.

-Q

[mas09ts]

Thanks 68-C20 thats the type of answer I was wanting. I believe I will probably go with the Hemlock for my bed then.