Silage sheet

[carpenter1]

I have not had anything to do with silage sheet before, so go easy.
Would it be suitable to cover a roundwood stack to protect the wood from the rain?
If so how many years could I get out of it?

 

[Yale]

If you ballast it properly to stop it flapping it would last many years.

 

[Tarw Coch]

It’s not that tough against any rough edges which you’ll almost certainly have. Wind will be your biggest enemy, flapping the sheet against any rough edges, tougher grades of sheet are available than silage sheet but I doubt they’d be up to long term use either.
I’m sure a silage sheet would keep the worst of the weather off for a winter but don’t expect it to be of long term use or expect a totally dry timber stack.
Depending on size of stack something like an old wagon curtain would be more durable and can be got for about fifty quid maybe less but don’t expect any sheeting to have a long life span when buffeted by winds against rough edges.

 

[Tarw Coch]

If you ballast it properly to stop it flapping it would last many years.

Well, that’s in contradiction to my thoughts, at least silage sheet isn’t a major expense if it does go wrong, provided it’s not critical that the timber is completely dry.
I was basing my thoughts on experience sheeting stacks of straw which does need to be kept completely dry, wind against rough edges can soon make small holes which combined with any pooling of water can cause quite a bit to get in.
In the case of a straw stack, as you have mentioned, holding it down to stop it flapping is a major part of the key to keeping whatever is under neath dry

 

[landslave the 2nd]

As above ...use an old curtain side off a lorry body

 

[egbert]

I've lots of experience with silage sheet on sawn timber, and I'd advise you go for a heavier gauge to stop the flapping problem identified above.
If using thinner material, weight it down very carefully

Something to watch is that you don't do too good a job, and restrict airflow, causing fungal degrade

 

[carpenter1]

What quage would you recommend?
I have been looking for lorry curtains but no luck.
It does not need to keep the timber completely dry just keep the worst off.

 

[carpenter1]

https://www.stowag.com/heavy-gauge-silage-sheets-visqueen.html would this be good enough?

 

[jondear]

If you ballast it properly to stop it flapping it would last many years.

Ideally with a woven cover sheet silage pit cover to stop flapping

 

[Tarw Coch]

Ideally with a woven cover sheet silage pit cover to stop flapping

Over timber I’d consider putting the woven sheet under the plastic sheet to protect it from rough edges, I have done that in the past with a straw stack, it still leaves you the problem of holding the plastic sheet down. I used wrapped silage bales on the edge of my straw stack.

 

[egbert]

What quage would you recommend?
I have been looking for lorry curtains but no luck.
It does not need to keep the timber completely dry just keep the worst off.

I don't know what the numbers mean.....just go along MVF and looksee. ('feel the quality sir, suit you!')
We've also used plastic sheeting from builders merchant to good effect.