Bridge Deck ??

[stihl038x2]

Well I ran my "new to me" mill for the first time the other day, this is fun stuff ! I'm hooked ! My question is, how good would ewp be for decking a small bridge ( for foot & ATV traffic). The wood was destined for the burn pile (I'm doing a fair bit of land clearing at the farm right now), so I thought what better use than 2x10 & 2x8's for decking + playing with the new mill :biggrin: They were shorts so not much good otherwise.

Thanks,
Steve

 

[Talltom]

2X EWP is certainly strong enough, but not very rot resistant. You can increase rot resistance by treating with borates and/or decking stain. Make sure you treat the bottom before installation. Even if you don't re-treat the wood, you can expect a few years of use before needing to replace them if you treat them first. Using them untreated would be a waste of good wood.

EWP is a nice furniture wood that goes well with Early American designs and is very easy to work. Most furniture does not require long pieces. It also makes excellent interior paneling and short pieces can be used for wainscoting. You may want to use a more permanent wood for the bridge deck and save the EWP for a more appropriate use.

 

[hamish]

Tamarack/Larch is near perfect in this application as they love being wet, as its only an atv bridge even cedar will do and last for many years to come.

 

[Sawyer Rob]

Old growth EWP heart wood was pretty rot resistant, but not any more!

Rob

 

[stihl038x2]

Well, being the lazy sort I am, I'll have to search out some cedar (no Tamarack or Hemlock on the property). I don't want to be replacing the decking in a few years.

Steve

 

[Garmins dad]

But it could mean more milling NEEDED :msp_w00t:

You guys have me talking about this stuff with my wife dang near every day.. She is sick of it.. Finally told me to buy a chain saw mill and a saw for it..:hmm3grin2orange: my plan worked..:msp_wink: