Framing questions - weather issues

[kiwiegg]

Hi all.
I'm really amped up about starting my coop. I know that if I wait until spring (when we are getting chicks) it will be rushed and I won't enjoy the build as much. I live in Minnesota and although the weather is great right now, it is going to get nasty soon. So here is my question;

I can pre-build wall frames in garage and have space to store them there, but I would rather get them onto base right away. If I'm using NON-TREATED lumber will a winters worth of moisture damage framing if I don't make it past framing stage? I intend on using treated for the base but was thinking of using interior grade 2x4s for the framing as my coop will have painted T1-11 siding and a proper roof and it's cheaper than treated. Or do I need to use treated for all framing?

Thanks and I'm sure more questions to come!

 

[patandchickens]

I would worry more about warping and blowing over. Until you have a 'skin' on the building (or good thorough diagonal bracing) there is not a whole big lot preventing things from going somewhat or entirely cattywhompus.

As far as just the effect of weathering/rotting the wood, it depends on the situation. IME plain (non p/t) lumber outdoors does not do too terribly over the span of like one season or one year if it is up off the ground and supported in a way that after it gets wet it can all dry out again reasonably quickly. Like a fenceboard, or exposed pieces of structure of a building. However if a winter's worth of snow lays against the bottom part of the wall, or if it is among dead grass or a drift of leaves piles up against it, that portion will *not* dry out so well in between wettings, and may very well have enough rot set in that it softens undesirably and you lose a significant amount of longevity. So it kind of depends what your situation is like.

I would guess in Minnesota, though, that snow, if nothing else, would be an issue and thus I would probably be disinclined to leave a bare-bones-frame-only shed up over the winter. At the very least, use screws or double-headed nails to slap some THOROUGH diagonal bracing on all four walls and the roof, to increase your chances of it still being upright and squareish come springtime.

(e.t.a. - no, don't use treated wood for your framing (except the bottom sill). It's kind of a waste of money and chemicals, it's heavier, it's crappier wood (more inclined to twist and split), and has much more stringent requirements for what screws/nails/hinges/etc you use. Plain ol wood is FINE, since it will be covered by siding and roof.)

JMHO,

Pat

 

[kiwiegg]

Thanks Pat.

 

[LynneP]

Minnesota is a real winter challenge! I agree about getting the work done, including the roof and sheathing and using treated lumber. Be sure you have a door.

We're building a second coop in our barn at this time, there may be ideas in this file that will assist you.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/web/viewblog.php?id=7693-our-second-coop

 

[kiwiegg]

Thanks Lynne. So are you suggesting using treated lumber for all?

 

[Luckytaz]

Kiwi, How large will your coop be? If not to large it could be covered with a tarp. If you can't get it closed in, I'd wait till spring. Framing it all with treated lumber,
would be a waste.

 

[kiwiegg]

Thanks Luckytaz. It's going to be a 8x8 walk in with a 9' peak. I think you are right about waiting re wasting money on treated lumber-you know the snow will be here real soon. I do have plenty of room in a detached garage so I might just start making floor and wall frames and keep them in garage. Once I get a bee in my bonnet....

 

[LynneP]

I think treated lumber is worth the cost. You will have that coop for decades. But if you have to cut costs, do it where you have a dry area, like the roof joists. And whenever possible, overbuild. Snow weighs a lot...

https://www.backyardchickens.com/web/viewblog.php?id=7693-our-second-coop

 

[rrgrassi]

If you did not want to use treated lumber you could always use Thompson's water seal.

 

[goldtopper]

Mine's 3/4 done, an A Frame and I have stained and waterproofed with Thompsen's. Looks great and in case I don't have it completed before the snow flies, I'll not worry. I'm not getting my birds till Spring.