Warp-Resistant Wooden Header

Abstract

The disclosure includes warm resistant wooden beams and methods of manufacturing. In one embodiment, wooden beams having opposing major surfaces covered by hydrophobic polymeric films exhibit dry surface friction values of about 3.0-20 lbs. and blocking values of about 0-150 lbs. Specific hydrophobic polymeric films include polyethylene and polypropylene films.

1 . A wooden beam comprising:
 a wooden layer having a width of about 1.0 to 6.0 inches, a depth of about 2.0 to 36 inches, a length of about 1.0 to 80 feet, and two major opposing surfaces defined by the depth and length of the wooden layer;   a hydrophobic polymeric film attached to each of the major opposing surfaces, each hydrophobic polymeric film having an exposed surface facing away from the major opposing surface to which the hydrophobic polymeric film is attached;   wherein the exposed surface of the hydrophobic polymeric film on at least one major surface exhibits a dry surface friction value of about 3.0-20 lbs. and a blocking value of about 0-150 lbs.   
     
     
         2 . The wooden beam of  claim 1 , wherein the wooden layer exhibits a modulus of elasticity parallel to its length that is greater than about 1.0×10 6  lb/inch 2 . 
     
     
         3 . The wooden beam of  claim 1 , wherein the exposed surface of the hydrophobic polymeric film on each major surface exhibits a dry surface friction value of about 3.0-20 lbs. and a blocking value of about 0-150 lbs. 
     
     
         4 . The wooden beam of  claim 1 , further comprising an adhesive between each major opposing surface and the hydrophobic polymeric film. 
     
     
         5 . The wooden beam of  claim 1 , wherein the hydrophobic polymeric film is about 0.0005 to 0.05 inches thick. 
     
     
         6 . A wooden beam comprising:
 a wooden layer having a width of about 1.0 to 6.0 inches, a depth of about 2.0 to 36 inches, a length of about 1.0 to 80 feet, and two major opposing surfaces defined by the depth and length of the wooden layer;   a hydrophobic polymeric film selected from the group consisting of polyethylene films and polypropylene films attached to each of the major opposing surfaces, each hydrophobic polymeric film having an exposed surface facing away from the major opposing surface to which the hydrophobic polymeric film is attached;   wherein the exposed surface of the hydrophobic polymeric film on at least one major surface exhibits a dry surface friction value of about 3.0-20 lbs. and a blocking value of about 0-150 lbs.   
     
     
         7 . The wooden beam of  claim 6 , wherein the wooden layer exhibits a modulus of elasticity parallel to its length that is greater than about 1.0×10 6  lb/inch 2 . 
     
     
         8 . The wooden beam of  claim 6 , wherein the exposed surface of the hydrophobic polymeric film on each major surface exhibits a dry surface friction value of about 3.0-20 lbs. and a blocking value of about 0-150 lbs. 
     
     
         9 . The wooden beam of  claim 6 , further comprising an adhesive between each major opposing surface and the hydrophobic polymeric film. 
     
     
         10 . The wooden beam of  claim 6 , wherein the hydrophobic polymeric film is about 0.0005 to 0.05 inches thick. 
     
     
         11 . A method of manufacturing a wooden beam comprising the steps:
 providing a wooden layer having a width of about 1.0 to 6.0 inches, a depth of about 2.0 to 36 inches, a length of about 1.0 to 80 feet, and two major opposing surfaces defined by the depth and length of the wooden layer; and   attaching a hydrophobic polymeric film to each of the major opposing surfaces, each hydrophobic polymeric film having an exposed surface facing away from the major opposing surface to which the hydrophobic polymeric film is attached;   wherein the exposed surface of the hydrophobic polymeric film on at least one major surface exhibits a dry surface friction value of about 3.0-20 lbs. and a blocking value of about 0-150 lbs.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the hydrophobic polymeric film is selected from the group consisting of polyethylene films and polypropylene films.