How should I handle bare wooden posts in a wet area? [solved]
In a post-and-beam house (built from Douglas Fir), I will have a bathtub right next to a couple of the posts.
Should I be worried about the effect of water on the longevity of the wood?
The other posts in the house are bare (unfinished). Is it necessary to put a protective finish on these wet-area posts?
I think you should seal the wood for two main reasons:
- the posts are in a bathroom, where they'll be subject to high humidity (possibly condensation) and temperature changes. That's a recipe for warping and splitting in any wood. Even with the thick posts used in a post-and-beam house, you'll still see some ill effects eventually.
- Doug fir is rot-resistant, but not rot-proof. If you do get condensation in that bathroom, you'll shorten the life of those beams if you don't protect them.
A third (cosmetic) reason is that untreated wood is going to lose color over time, becoming gray. I would recommend you think about treating all the exposed posts and beams, not just in that bathroom.
you didn't mention if the posts were unfinished, stained, urethaned, or painted. The finish on the posts will make a huge difference in a moist or wet environment. need more info to help you with a good recommendation. However, without question, a bead of silicone at the base is gonna be a good idea. either use a paintable silicone or color match the silicone.
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