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Top Ways To Kiln Dry Wood
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Key Takeaways:
Moisture Content in Wood:
Understanding the moisture content in wood is essential when embarking on any woodworking project. Trees naturally contain an abundance of moisture which if left unattended can cause warping and other issues in finished pieces. Kiln drying can reduce moisture content significantly to mitigate such issues and avoid warping altogether.
Air Drying Vs. Kiln Drying:
Air-drying wood can be an organic and time-consuming process that relies heavily on external conditions for success. Air drying may take years before reaching desired moisture levels, leaving potential defects unchecked within its fibers. Kiln drying offers a quicker and more controlled alternative that ensures consistent removal of moisture without risk.
Benefits of Kiln Drying:
Kiln drying offers several advantages over air drying, including faster processing times, controlled moisture removal, and elimination of organisms within the wood itself. Woodworkers can trust this method as it ensures quality lumber for various interior projects.
- Overall, the blog emphasizes the significance of kiln-drying wood for woodworking projects and highlights its advantages over air drying. Furthermore, Bloodhound Lumber and Land is promoted as a reliable supplier of kiln-dried lumber.
So many people “AXE” us why in tarnation “WOOD” they need lumber that is kiln dried? Maybe they don’t use those hilarious lumberjack puns, but it is a great question and one we get often, so let’s dive in to why kiln dry wood.
Moisture Content In Wood
Trees will hold a lot of moisture; in fact, 50% of a tree’s weight could be water. (Talk about some water weight, huh?!) Because of the moisture content in a tree, you cannot simply cut down a tree and build a piece of furniture. That moisture will cause that new live edge slabs to warp and leave you feeling “STUMPED”. In order for lumber to be turned into a beautiful works of art, it must be dried of any moisture. Many think there are two ways to achieve this: air dry the wood or use a kiln to dry the wood. (Spoiler alert: there is really only one way to confidently dry lumber. Keep reading…)
How Air Drying Wood Works
Air Dried wood is wood that is harvested, cut, stickered, and left to dry in nature for an extended period of time. Industry standards for air drying wood are 1″ per year. (Yep… you read that right. It’s like watching paint dry… except you’re watching 1″ of wood dry per year.) A 3″ live edge slab of wood would take 3 years to air dry to acceptable levels for your project if using the air dry method. Not only will it take 96 years to dry wood for an 8 foot kitchen table (double check my math, will ya?!), air dried wood depends on the external conditions. Simply put, the moisture level in the wood will stay at the same level as the air (and if you’re familiar with the unpredictable Tennessee weather, we could experience rain, snow, and humidity within a 24 hour time period!). And one more thing… let’s say we’ve had 96 years of completely dry weather and are ready to build that 8 foot table, guess what?! There would still be moisture in the center of the wood. That bound moisture in the center will not ever be completely dried because wood needs to have controlled heat, air movement, moisture extraction in order to destroy the cells that hold the water. Wouldn’t it be a cryin’ shame if your family sat down to a beautiful lumberjack breakfast, and the table (that you’ve waited on to dry for 96 years) fell apart due to twisting, warping, and cracking (because there is still moisture in the center of the wood)?! Your flapjacks would go flyin’ and your lovely lumberjane would constantly remind you, “I “SAW” that coming.”
How Kiln Drying Wood Works
But don’t fret! Bloodhound Lumber and Land has a TREE-mendous solution! It is our zero-pressure vacuum-kiln dried lumber. On average, the kiln drying wood process takes less than a week to dry up to 1″ of wood. (Note: time depends on the species of wood, the original moisture content of the wood, and the temperature outside.) The kiln drying wood process also destroys organisms living inside the wood. Who needs fungi and bugs living in their Black Walnut mantle?! Santa would go running if bugs crawled out of the mantle on Christmas Eve! Bottom line, you will have complete confidence that kiln dried wood for your interior project will hold up over time.
Work With Bloodhound Lumber and Land for all your Lumber Needs
Are you ready to purchase kiln dried wood for your next project? Purchase ours or bring in your lumber, and we will kiln dry it for you! Contact us today to get started.
