How to Acclimate Garapa Wood Decking
More often than not, problems in a finished garapa deck are caused by a failure to properly acclimate the wood before installation. Due to moisture differences between the lumber and the air, the deck boards will contract and/or expand. If they have already been screwed into place, they will bend or crack.
To prevent these problems, you simply have to let the garapa sit for a few weeks to get accustomed to your local climate. However, there are a few basic guidelines that must be followed in order for this process to work:
- Do not cover the decking. Throwing a tarp or similar covering over top will prevent moisture from passing freeliy between the wood and the air, essentially stopping the acclimation process from taking place.
- Store the decking outside. It is important to keep it in an area similar to the final installation site, otherwise it will acclimate to the wrong conditions.
- Make sure the air can flow freely along every face of every board. To accomodate this, use pieces of scrap lumber as spacers between stacks of decking. Also make sure that the stack is elevated off the ground.
Feel free to ask us questions about any part of the acclimation or installation process. We want you to have the best garapa deck possible!