FHB Logo Facebook LinkedIn Email Pinterest Twitter X Instagram Tiktok YouTube Plus Icon Close Icon Navigation Search Icon Navigation Search Icon Arrow Down Icon Video Guide Icon Article Guide Icon Modal Close Icon Guide Search Icon Skip to content
Subscribe
Log In
  • How-To
  • Design
  • Tools & Materials
  • Restoration
  • Videos
  • Blogs
  • Forum
  • Magazine
  • Members
  • FHB House
  • Podcast
Log In

Discussion Forum

Discussion Forum

Now that I have the"Beams of my …

| Posted in General Discussion on October 21, 1999 07:52am

*
I’m building a craftsman style home in N.C. (read: Scorching heat, but at least it’s humid…) Putting a dozen or so 6×8 fir beams in the front, and a lot of exposed beams under the eaves around the house. Roof decking is T&G pine. How do I keep this wood healthy for a long time? Is a high quality stain enough? Should I use some “marine grade” polyureathane (sp.) on top of that? Help me out guys! Sincerely, Don

Reply
  • X
  • facebook
  • linkedin
  • pinterest
  • email
  • add to favorites Log in or Sign up to save your favorite articles

Replies

  1. jcallahan | Aug 20, 1999 08:00pm | #1

    *
    I don't know how seasoned your beams are, but I believe I'd stay away from polyurethane and paint, too. If the moisture content is not low enough, you will have problems (blisters, peeling etc.). You can add mildewicide to the stain which may offer some additional protection. I'd pay attention to the way water runs off the roof ......if the runoff falls directly on on a beam or wall, there will be problems.

    1. JRS | Aug 21, 1999 12:50am | #2

      *I recently installed copper caps on a house whose main beams stuck out from the main roof. It was about 30 yrs. old and the cedar beams had been stained over the years. They were weathering pretty bad on the top side only, so she wanted them capped over(but the cap had to be inconspicuous), so I made them from copper and only put a 3/4" bend on them. She didn't like the "shiny penny" look, and was too impatient to let them weather, so I had to paint them over. Yuck.John

      1. jim_"crazy_legs"_blodg | Aug 21, 1999 01:02am | #3

        *John - I've always heard horse urine will age copper quickly, if you ever run into that situation again. - jb

        1. JRS | Aug 21, 1999 02:05am | #4

          *Jim- You know, I don't doubt you for a second, but I'll never personaly confirm that! I'll call my friends who own horses and tell them they might be pissin' away a potentially marketable commodity. Thanks for making me LOL!John

          1. rdiehl | Sep 07, 1999 03:39am | #5

            *I have read that it is best to wait at least 6 months before applying ANY wood finisher---paint, stain etc. You must let the wood "season" otherwise you may trap some of the moisture inside and it may rot from the inside out. Pine has a slick surface when new, but even after a few years old I find it difficult to accept stain.hth,ron

          2. tbutler_ | Sep 20, 1999 08:12am | #6

            *Jim, How do you get the horse on the roof?

          3. Joe_Duncan | Sep 22, 1999 08:36pm | #7

            *Hello RD,Could you please provide the reference for that. I strongly suspect that no author would put such a general kibosh on painting `unseasoned wood'. When was the last time you heard of a builder saying to the home buyer and the bank that they'd come back next year to paint the house. High moisture content is normal in beams from most commercial sources and does present some problems for painting. A truly pond dried beam can be stained when new and painted months or years later.Joe

          4. JRS | Sep 23, 1999 07:08am | #8

            *And even if you do get the horse on the roof, I've always heard "You can lead a horse to copper, but you can't make him piss.".......or something like that.John

          5. jim_"crazy_legs"_blodg | Sep 23, 1999 08:13am | #9

            *I've always thought you might get one up there with a sh*t eatin' pig and 12 angry geese! But I could be wrong. - jb

          6. nmarkey | Oct 21, 1999 07:52am | #10

            *Actually, I've been told that human urine will change copper too. I just might try this on my next project involving copper flashing and whatnot. Good thing I have a lot of trees out behind my shop, that could be hard to explain on a job site. - Nick Markey

  2. Don_Grimsley | Oct 21, 1999 07:52am | #11

    *
    I'm building a craftsman style home in N.C. (read: Scorching heat, but at least it's humid...) Putting a dozen or so 6x8 fir beams in the front, and a lot of exposed beams under the eaves around the house. Roof decking is T&G pine. How do I keep this wood healthy for a long time? Is a high quality stain enough? Should I use some "marine grade" polyureathane (sp.) on top of that? Help me out guys! Sincerely, Don

Log in or create an account to post a comment.

Sign up Log in

Become a member and get full access to FineHomebuilding.com

Video Shorts

Categories

  • Business
  • Code Questions
  • Construction Techniques
  • Energy, Heating & Insulation
  • General Discussion
  • Help/Work Wanted
  • Photo Gallery
  • Reader Classified
  • Tools for Home Building

Discussion Forum

Recent Posts and Replies

  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
View More Create Post

Up Next

Video Shorts

Featured Story

Podcast Episode 689: Basement Garages, Compact ERVs, and Safer Paint Stripper

Listeners write in about ventilation and radon control and ask questions about tightening basement garages, ventilation solutions, and safer paint stripper.

Featured Video

Micro-Adjust Deck-Baluster Spacing for an Eye-Deceiving Layout

No math, no measuring—just a simple jig made from an elastic band is all you need to lay out a good-looking deck railing.

Related Stories

  • Design and Build a Pergola
  • Podcast Episode 689: Basement Garages, Compact ERVs, and Safer Paint Stripper
  • FHB Podcast Segment: Are Single-Room ERVs the Answer?
  • Fire-Resistant Landscaping and Home Design Details

Highlights

Fine Homebuilding All Access
Fine Homebuilding Podcast
Tool Tech
Plus, get an extra 20% off with code GIFT20

"I have learned so much thanks to the searchable articles on the FHB website. I can confidently say that I expect to be a life-long subscriber." - M.K.

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters

Fine Homebuilding Magazine

  • Issue 332 - July 2025
    • Custom Built-ins With Job-Site Tools
    • Fight House Fires Through Design
    • Making the Move to Multifamily
  • Issue 331 - June 2025
    • A More Resilient Roof
    • Tool Test: You Need a Drywall Sander
    • Ducted vs. Ductless Heat Pumps
  • Issue 330 - April/May 2025
    • Deck Details for Durability
    • FAQs on HPWHs
    • 10 Tips for a Long-Lasting Paint Job
  • Issue 329 - Feb/Mar 2025
    • Smart Foundation for a Small Addition
    • A Kominka Comes West
    • Making Small Kitchens Work
  • Issue 328 - Dec/Jan 2024
    • How a Pro Replaces Columns
    • Passive House 3.0
    • Tool Test: Compact Line Lasers

Fine Home Building

Newsletter Sign-up

  • Fine Homebuilding

    Home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox.

  • Green Building Advisor

    Building science and energy efficiency advice, plus special offers, in your inbox.

  • Old House Journal

    Repair, renovation, and restoration tips, plus special offers, in your inbox.

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters

Follow

  • Fine Homebuilding

    Dig into cutting-edge approaches and decades of proven solutions with total access to our experts and tradespeople.

    Start Free Trial Now
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X
    • LinkedIn
  • GBA Prime

    Get instant access to the latest developments in green building, research, and reports from the field.

    Start Free Trial Now
    • Facebook
    • YouTube
  • Old House Journal

    Learn how to restore, repair, update, and decorate your home.

    Subscribe Now
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X
  • Fine Homebuilding

    Dig into cutting-edge approaches and decades of proven solutions with total access to our experts and tradespeople.

    Start Free Trial Now
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X
    • LinkedIn
  • GBA Prime

    Get instant access to the latest developments in green building, research, and reports from the field.

    Start Free Trial Now
    • Facebook
    • YouTube
  • Old House Journal

    Learn how to restore, repair, update, and decorate your home.

    Subscribe Now
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X

Membership & Magazine

  • Online Archive
  • Start Free Trial
  • Magazine Subscription
  • Magazine Renewal
  • Gift a Subscription
  • Customer Support
  • Privacy Preferences
  • About
  • Contact
  • Advertise
  • Careers
  • Terms of Use
  • Site Map
  • Do not sell or share my information
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility
  • California Privacy Rights

© 2025 Active Interest Media. All rights reserved.

Fine Homebuilding receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.

  • Home Group
  • Antique Trader
  • Arts & Crafts Homes
  • Bank Note Reporter
  • Cabin Life
  • Cuisine at Home
  • Fine Gardening
  • Fine Woodworking
  • Green Building Advisor
  • Garden Gate
  • Horticulture
  • Keep Craft Alive
  • Log Home Living
  • Military Trader/Vehicles
  • Numismatic News
  • Numismaster
  • Old Cars Weekly
  • Old House Journal
  • Period Homes
  • Popular Woodworking
  • Script
  • ShopNotes
  • Sports Collectors Digest
  • Threads
  • Timber Home Living
  • Traditional Building
  • Woodsmith
  • World Coin News
  • Writer's Digest
Active Interest Media logo
X
X
This is a dialog window which overlays the main content of the page. The modal window is a 'site map' of the most critical areas of the site. Pressing the Escape (ESC) button will close the modal and bring you back to where you were on the page.

Main Menu

  • How-To
  • Design
  • Tools & Materials
  • Video
  • Blogs
  • Forum
  • Project Guides
  • Reader Projects
  • Magazine
  • Members
  • FHB House

Podcasts

  • FHB Podcast
  • ProTalk

Webinars

  • Upcoming and On-Demand

Podcasts

  • FHB Podcast
  • ProTalk

Webinars

  • Upcoming and On-Demand

Popular Topics

  • Kitchens
  • Business
  • Bedrooms
  • Roofs
  • Architecture and Design
  • Green Building
  • Decks
  • Framing
  • Safety
  • Remodeling
  • Bathrooms
  • Windows
  • Tilework
  • Ceilings
  • HVAC

Magazine

  • Current Issue
  • Past Issues
  • Magazine Index
  • Subscribe
  • Online Archive
  • Author Guidelines

All Access

  • Member Home
  • Start Free Trial
  • Gift Membership

Online Learning

  • Courses
  • Project Guides
  • Reader Projects
  • Podcast

More

  • FHB Ambassadors
  • FHB House
  • Customer Support

Account

  • Log In
  • Join

Newsletter

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters

Follow

  • X
  • YouTube
  • instagram
  • facebook
  • pinterest
  • Tiktok

Join All Access

Become a member and get instant access to thousands of videos, how-tos, tool reviews, and design features.

Start Your Free Trial

Subscribe

FHB Magazine

Start your subscription today and save up to 70%

Subscribe

Enjoy unlimited access to Fine Homebuilding. Join Now

Already a member? Log in

We hope you’ve enjoyed your free articles. To keep reading, become a member today.

Get complete site access to expert advice, how-to videos, Code Check, and more, plus the print magazine.

Start your FREE trial

Already a member? Log in

Privacy Policy Update

We use cookies, pixels, script and other tracking technologies to analyze and improve our service, to improve and personalize content, and for advertising to you. We also share information about your use of our site with third-party social media, advertising and analytics partners. You can view our Privacy Policy here and our Terms of Use here.

Cookies

Analytics

These cookies help us track site metrics to improve our sites and provide a better user experience.

Advertising/Social Media

These cookies are used to serve advertisements aligned with your interests.

Essential

These cookies are required to provide basic functions like page navigation and access to secure areas of the website.

Delete My Data

Delete all cookies and associated data