pine flooring

[dug]

I am thinking of pine as an option for my flooring. There is a mill a half day's drive away that sells 1 by 4 in. tongue and groove pine for 36 cents/ sq. ft.

A friend who installs hardwood flooring for a living is thinking of getting some for a project of his and says that the pine in question is pretty wet and will develop some gaps as it dries, a rustic look for sure. I like pine, and I like the less formal look, but I rather not have too many gaps for dirt to collect in.

If I let the wood dry and season in my house for some time would that lessen the chances for shrinkage and gaps? 

Thanks!

[rick91351]

If I were to use it I would buy it then bring it home and sticker it and dry it for about a month at least if there is a great deal of moisture in the wood.  I know you are in a dry location but the biggest thing is to get air ie a breeze moving around and through the wood.  Doesn't need to be a fan just a Mother Natures breeze blowing wicks out the moisture.  You sticker it about every two and a half or three feet between each layer.  Then you get a good heavy weather proof 'pile top' on it.   I like to use any more 1X2 survey stakes 3 foot long for stickers.  You can get them in any lumber yard or HD or the other big box.

[Redoverfarm]

I am thinking of pine as an option for my flooring. There is a mill a half day's drive away that sells 1 by 4 in. tongue and groove pine for 36 cents/ sq. ft.

A friend who installs hardwood flooring for a living is thinking of getting some for a project of his and says that the pine in question is pretty wet and will develop some gaps as it dries, a rustic look for sure. I like pine, and I like the less formal look, but I rather not have too many gaps for dirt to collect in.

If I let the wood dry and season in my house for some time would that lessen the chances for shrinkage and gaps?  

Thanks!

Dug if you do sticker it just put a roof out of scrap tin.  Not not drape tarps or plastic over the sides as this will prevent air circulation.  In regards to controlling the shrinkage you will not be able to accomplish this.  But if you allow it to dry before installing you can draw it tight and any movement to create gaps will be less.  Is this going to be on a subfloor or loft beams?  You can develope a method to pull the gaps tight either way. Be prepared that if it has been milled and T&G already cut that you will get some discoloration with the stickers.  Generally stickered wood is in rough form and the milling process removes the majority of sticker marks.   

[Don_P]

Since it has been milled and your friend is an installer I'm guessing "pretty wet" is in the neighborhood of 15-19%. I'd sticker it indoors, run the heat and lay it towards the end of the heating season if you can wait that long. If it was milled dead green I'd pass.