Drying Sheds

[D6c]

A local grower of landscaping plants is selling out and has four high tunnel frames that they used either with plastic coverings or with shade cloth.
I won't have a chance to look them over until tomorrow but I was thinking they might make good lumber drying sheds.
I'd need opaque plastic on the top to protect from weather and sun and could either leave the lower part open or cover with shade cloth.

Anyone used something like this for drying sheds?  

[Wudman]

We have a high tunnel on the farm that grows tobacco plants in the spring and sits idle the rest of the year.  I have used it to air dry some lumber.  Works fairly well.  You need some ventilation (we can drop the sides) so it doesn't rain inside.  Open sides, you should be fine.

Wud

[PoginyHill]

Not really a drying "shed", but seems to be an appropriate place to post my latest effort. I have use roofing laid on top of my lumber, but that is four pieces to cover a 16ft X 4 ft pile. I've made a wooden frame to attach roofing to - a single piece, but rather heavy to move around, especially alone. So I made a wooden frame roof to attach road fabric to. Road fabric is tough and not impacted by UV, and a LOT cheaper than a tarp. I thought it was fairly water tight - I've seen it hold plenty of water puddles. But after last nights light rain, it looks as though some makes it through the fabric. Anyhow, I'll give it a try. A lot less water on the lumber, if not completely dry. These are much lighter that metal roofing. My only concern is snow in the winter. Won't know how it holds up to that for several months. Frame is made of 2X2 and 1X2 softwood.



 

 

 

[Nebraska]

I think I may steal some of your design.  I need to make a couple  stack covers. I've been contemplating a metal frame car port as well. I need better drying space.

[D6c]

I was wondering if you could kill two birds by pouring a concrete slabs for weight and rain cover in one.   For4' x 8' stack it would have to be 6 x 10'.  Haven't calculated the weight but it might be pretty heavy.

[VB-Milling]

At 4 inches thick, 60sqft of traditional ready mix concrete would weigh about 2700-2800lbs.

[Southside]

Slabs don't generally do well being moved around a whole lot.  

[D6c]

Slabs don't generally do well being moved around a whole lot.  

Yea, it would probably need a lot of rebar to keep it in one piece

[Tom the Sawyer]

6'x10' - 60 sqft of 4" should be 2900 lbs. and likely pretty fragile at that thickness.