We just went through a major remodel of our home and are now starting to move back in and organize our lives again. I have extra trim and crown moulding from all our cabinetry. Can you tell me the how to store this in case I need it in the future? We live in the Midwest with extreme temperature changes. I do have enough room in my basement and garage, but I don't know if it should be wrapped in anything, laid flat on ground or on shelves etc.
The thing to keep in mind is that wood tends to adapt, or equalize to the surrounding environment. Depending on the moisture level in the air, the wood will expand or shrink accordingly. So, if the area in which you store your wood is appreciably more moist (such as a damp basement), the wood will likely have a higher moisture content and have expanded a bit. Before using this stock in your home, you'll likely want to let the wood sit in the house for a couple of months and allow it to equalize with the environment in the house.
Additionally, wood should be stored flat to avoid twisting or bending. Storing long pieces of stock on a rack consisting of two or three shelf standards or arms attached to a wall would be improved by placing a shelf of stable, thick plywood or medium-density fiberboard (MDF) on the arms. This will prevent the stock from sagging between the standards, which can cause it to warp, bend or twist.
