Acclimation

Brazilian Walnut decking needs to be acclimated prior to installation. This is a lengthy, but simple, process that is vital to the long-term stability of your deck.

Wood naturally absorbs and releases moisture to match the surrounding air. This natural process causes the lumber to shrink and expand, which, if not accounted for, will cause problems with your deck. To prevent warps and buckles, you should let the deck boards adjust to your local climate before installing them.

Follow these steps to properly acclimate your Brazilian Walnut decking:

• Store the wood outdoors in an area similar to the final installation site for several weeks, allowing enough time for the moisture levels to equalize.
• If you stack the deck boards, be sure to keep the stack elevated off the ground, and use pieces of scrap lumber between each level to allow for ventilation.
• Do not cover the wood under a tarp. This prevents the wood from acclimating, and does nothing to prevent problems later on.