ᐅ Wood battens have discolorations—are these acceptable?

Bauenaberwie schrieb:

I just received my wooden battens for the substructure of the rough-sawn boards. Unfortunately, they look kind of “shabby.” I touched them, and they all seem to be dry.

Try searching for beetle wood. Lumber from trees damaged by bark beetles may have discoloration, but is otherwise fully usable in terms of quality. Distinguishing it reliably from mold-affected wood in close-up photos online is beyond my crystal ball.

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The gray areas are fine; that is weathering. The black areas are mold, even if someone might see it differently.

Okay, thanks. So there are no concerns if he gives me some from the back part? The battens were probably stored somewhere damp at times… I just looked at beetle-infested wood, but it looks quite different. Still, thanks for the tip.

Well, you have to check yourself if there is any mold. You can usually tell by looking. Storing the wood outside is not a problem, but of course you don’t want to use moldy wood in the roof.

Bauenaberwie schrieb:

The battens were probably stored partly in damp conditions…. I just looked at beetlewood but that looks completely different, still thanks for the tip

I’m quite certain this is not beetlewood; it really looks different. These are stain spots, basically fungal growth, which in the form of small dots does not yet damage the wood. It appears very quickly when freshly cut and sawn wood cannot dry properly. This usually happens when wood is stored without spacers between layers, especially outdoors. It mostly affects the sapwood but can also spread to the heartwood.
In visible areas, you can remove it – as you would at home – using mold and algae remover, washing soda, or lime-based cleaner (alkaline, NOT acidic!). It will not reappear as long as the wood is properly installed or stored. At this stage, there are no structural limitations, but I would not use it for living room paneling.

dertill schrieb:

It’s quite certain that this is not beetle damage; it looks different. These are stain spots, basically fungal infestation, but in the “speckled” form it does not yet damage the wood. It appears very quickly when freshly cut and sawn wood cannot dry properly. This happens when storing without spacers between the layers, especially outdoors. It usually occurs on the sapwood but can also discolor the heartwood.
In visible areas, like at home, you can remove it with mold and algae remover / washing soda / lime cleaner (alkaline, NOT acidic!), and it won’t come back as long as the wood is correctly installed or stored. At this stage, there are no structural restrictions, but I wouldn’t use it for living room paneling.

Perfect, thank you. As I said, these will be replaced tomorrow with the “good” ones. If there are still individual spots left, I will proceed as you described. Many thanks to everyone!