Moisture Content of House Framing

This paper describes the seasonal variation in moisture content of framing in a slab-on-ground, brick veneer residential building (not air-conditioned) located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The species of wood was southern pine. The moisture content of the bottom plate, which rests upon the concrete slab and is separated therefrom by one thickness of heavy, tar-impregnated building paper varied from 9 to 14 percent. The low value was recorded in March, the high in September. The studs showed a variation of 8 to 12 percent at mid-height, and the rafters varied 8 to 10 percent. The most frequently occurring moisture contents were 11 percent in the bottom plates, 9 percent in the studs, and 8 percent in the rafters. Duration of observing period was 26 months. The paper describes the use of stainless steel screws as moisture probes in conjunction with an electric resistance type moisture meter. The use of screws versus insulated pin probes is discussed and the method of calibration of the moisture measuring equipment is described.

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