For outdoor use, wood should ideally have a moisture content between 12 and 15 percent. Construction lumber is commonly available dried to moisture contents of 15 or 19 percent. Use Corrosion Resistant Hardware Third, use only corrosion-resistant nails, screws, and bolts when fastening lumber or plywood used outdoors. High quality galvanized, aluminum, stainless steel, and other types of special fasteners are available. Use Exterior Grade Finishes Fourth, provide weather protection.
Wood can suffer damage when exposed to the action of sunlight and water.
This page updated February, 2001.