Dumb Question

[Jo191145]

That's right I said it.

There are clear tarps on the market but supposedly they block UV Rays from the sun.
any opinions on perceived benefits in aiding wood seasoning. Must have been asleep in science class that day,,,,year.

 

[Stinkpickle]

I don't know. My firewood has never gotten sunburned...that I know of.

 

[begreen]

No benefit for the wood that I can think of but the UV block may help the plastic last longer in the sun.

 

[red oak]

Cheaper than putting sunscreen on all of your wood! But I don't think it's needed, unless you just want a nice tarp.

 

[DougA]

If you had a glass roof on your wood shed, the wood would dry much more quickly - AKA greenhouse. A clear tarp would probably help to some degree but the main purpose should be to keep rain off and allow wind to blow through.

 

[PA. Woodsman]

The only dumb question is the one that is not asked......

 

[Applesister]

Nothing made out of plastic ever holds up well to UV radiation. Greenhouse plastic has ratings for how many years it will hold together before breakdown, but its REALLY expensive. Like any kind of roofing material.
Plastic horse fencing is another UV protected product that I know of. I think the protection is for the product itself pretty much. Not so much for whats under it.

 

[Soundchasm]

I read some research on burning out a garden, and the conclusion was that clear tarps yielded a higher soil temperature. The irony is that black actually is the best color for radiating heat, which is why the SR-71 is black. At that altitude it was the best way to get RID of heat!

 

[HybridFyre]

The only dumb question is the one that is not asked......

I thought it was there are no dumb questions only dumb people...

 

[DougA]

I thought it was there are no dumb questions only dumb people...

Just to settle the problem - there are both. I know this for sure.

 

[Fred Wright]

The only dumb question is the one that isn't asked.

If memory serves, transparent poly and glass block some UV light. Translucent blocks more. An analogy is milk. Milk is highly sensitive to UV photodegradation. Intense UV light from store display fixtures and other sources would quickly degrade milk in a transparent container.

The only advantage to covering your firewood stacks with transparent or translucent poly would be direct warmth from sunlight, vs. indirect warmth from black poly. When an object absorbs any kind of light, including UV, it heats up. That's probably good for your wood. How much of an advantage clear poly has over black I couldn't say.

 

[D8Chumley]

I use black woven plastic fabric we use for road construction well, because it was free. It sheds water and keeps the leaves out. Free is me! And I also have some leftover metal roofing from the pole barn build I have on some of my stacks

 

[HisTreeNut]

The only dumb question is the one that is not asked......

I was a substitute teacher while working through college...There are dumb questions asked.

 

[BrotherBart]

I was a substitute teacher while working through college...There are dumb questions asked.

Glad somebody finally said it.

But top covering with anything benefits. Open sides let it dry and top covering keeps it from having more drying to do every time it rains. I use black plastic for top covering. Only science involved is that black absorbs heat from the sun on the top row. And it was the closest roll in the stack at Lowe's.

 

[Grisu]

I was a substitute teacher while working through college...There are dumb questions asked.

In Germany, we have a proverb:" When you ask a dumb question, expect a dumb answer." I quickly learned from several curious looks that this proverb was unknown around here.

 

[Jo191145]

Well thanks for all the feedback.
My plan is to make a floating pitched tent style structure suspended over a weighted rope for the ridge with sides open but further overhanging the pile.
I know it sounds flimsy but I've done it before for 1400 sq ft of 1/4 sawn red oak lumber I was air drying. The tarp lasted four years before it needed replacement. Because it's all "spring loaded" the tarp is allowed to flex around without tearing and it's not constantly rubbing on the wood. Rain runs off but snow sometimes needs a little help.
Divided by four I figure whatever works best is more important than price.

I feed four stoves in three houses. Getting three years ahead is pretty much not happening anytime soon. Speedy drying is what I'm looking for. Thanks all.