Storing Lumber and Wood Components

Want to know how to store lumber and wood components, including valuable wood furniture? You’ve come to the right place. But first, it helps to briefly review the difference between unseasoned (green) wood and seasoned wood.

• Unseasoned Wood
• Seasoned Wood
• Where to Store Unseasoned Lumber?
• Where to Store Seasoned Lumber?
• How to Store Lumber Horizontally?
• How to Store Lumber Vertically?
• How to Store Wood Components Such As Furniture?

Unseasoned Wood

Unseasoned, or green, wood is freshly sawn from a log. It has a very high moisture content compared with seasoned wood. That moisture will eventually evaporate on its own, but a dry kiln is usually used to speed up the process.

Seasoned Wood

Seasoned wood has been either kiln-dried or air-dried, so it has a much lower moisture content than green wood.

Because wood is hygroscopic, meaning it gains or loses moisture depending on the relative humidity (RH) around it, seasoned lumber, cut wood components, and finished furniture should be stored in conditions similar to those where they’ll ultimately be used.

Otherwise, the wood may shrink or swell as it loses or gains moisture.

For a more in-depth discussion, we strongly encourage you to read our article on acceptable moisture levels in wood.

It offers valuable background and an easy-to-read explanation of the equilibrium moisture content (EMC) of wood and how it relates to RH. It will help you better understand the advice in this article, and it also explains how to use a moisture meter, a must-have tool for anyone who works with wood.

Now let’s talk about lumber storage.

Where to Store Unseasoned Lumber?

Kiln and Indoor Drying

Freshly sawn wood is full of moisture. It will dry over time, but a kiln is usually used to speed up the process, and much of the wood sold today has been kiln-dried.

You can also season wood indoors without a kiln. Here’s how.

Stack the wood horizontally with stickers in a warm, dry indoor space. (Stickers are small strips of dry wood, usually about 1 inch by 1 inch, placed between layers of lumber so air can circulate.) Space the stickers evenly, no more than 16 inches apart, and line them up vertically from layer to layer. That alignment is very important if you don’t want wavy lumber. Proper spacing matters because green wood bends easily if it isn’t well supported.

A few words about air-drying lumber outdoors

Lumber is commonly air-dried outdoors in stickered stacks, but outdoor air drying has a limit: the wood only gets as dry as the outdoor air allows. According to the USDA Forest Service’s Wood Handbook, commercial air-dried lumber generally ends up at around 15% to 25% moisture content, depending on the species. That’s fine for some construction uses but far too wet for furniture, flooring, or anything else that will be used indoors.

So if you air-dry wood outdoors, keep the stack covered and off the ground, and plan to finish drying it indoors or in a kiln before using it for indoor projects.

Where to Store Seasoned Lumber?

If your wood is at its desired moisture content, store it indoors, ideally in the place where it will be used. Control the moisture in the storage area so the wood stays at its desired moisture content.

Horizontally or Vertically? What Is the Best Way to Store Lumber?

Unseasoned wood should always be stored horizontally. Once wood is dry (seasoned), how you store it matters less. If you have the space, though, it’s best to store both kinds of lumber horizontally.

If you don’t have the space, that’s OK. You can store dried lumber vertically without problems. We’ll cover both options.

How to Store Lumber Horizontally?

If you’re air-drying unseasoned lumber, use stickers so air can flow through the stack and the wood doesn’t warp or decay. Make sure the stickers are dry and all the same thickness.

Place stickers at the ends of the stack and every 12 to 16 inches, lined up vertically from layer to layer, as described above.

Storing seasoned lumber horizontally indoors

If you’re storing dry lumber horizontally indoors, make sure it’s well supported. Place supports every 16 to 18 inches to keep the boards from bowing.

You don’t need stickers for seasoned wood stored indoors, but don’t overload the supports, since too much weight can also make the wood bend. With lumber prices up and down, you don’t want to waste any lumber.

How to Store Lumber Vertically?

If you store seasoned wood vertically indoors, use a storage system that’s raised off the floor so air can flow underneath. Concrete floors might look dry, but moisture can rise from them into your wood. Wood exposed to moisture for too long can warp and even rot.

The storage system should support the boards at both the top and the bottom to prevent bowing. If you have a lot of smaller pieces, you can keep them in a lumber cart. You’ll find plans online for building one.

Storing Lumber Vertically

If you don’t have room to store seasoned wood horizontally indoors, you can store it vertically. (As noted above, store unseasoned, or green, lumber horizontally until it’s dried to the desired moisture content.)

Seasoned wood is fine stored vertically, but for long-term storage, horizontal is probably best. Thin stock, under ½ inch thick, is also best stored flat.

Remember: Vertical storage is for seasoned wood only. Never store unseasoned wood vertically, or it will bow.

Treated Lumber

Treated lumber has been treated with preservatives to extend its life. It can be stored the same way as untreated wood.

How to Store Wood Components Such As Furniture

Storing wood furniture and components isn’t difficult. Just follow a few rules so your valuables don’t get damaged in storage:

• If possible, use a climate-controlled storage unit. Wood can crack if it gets too dry and warp if the air is too humid. High humidity can also cause mold and mildew. Ideally, choose a space where both temperature and humidity are controlled.
• Keep wood components and furniture off the floor. Cinder blocks or wooden pallets are an easy way to lift your pieces away from damp floors and possible water damage, and they let air circulate around them. If you can’t lift them off the floor, place heavy plastic sheeting underneath to protect them from moisture.
• Don’t leave anything stored inside the furniture. Make sure all drawers and cabinets are empty.
• Cover with something breathable, like cotton. Don’t use plastic as a cover, because it can trap moisture and cause condensation. A cotton sheet keeps out dust while letting air move.
• Apply a coat of wax or polish before storing. It helps protect the finish. It won’t add moisture to the wood, though, so keeping the storage space at stable humidity is still what prevents cracking.
• Don’t stack anything on top of wood furniture. To avoid damage, don’t place anything on top of it in storage, even lightweight boxes.

Storing lumber and wood components isn’t difficult. You just need to follow a few rules and understand how wood interacts with moisture in its environment. If you haven’t read our article on acceptable moisture levels yet, we recommend reading it now. It’s a great primer on wood moisture content and will help you better understand the advice in this article.

Learn more about kiln-drying your own wood and why moisture readings are important.

Shop Orion Moisture Meters

Last updated on October 8th, 2026