Kiln Dried Wood
Why Kiln Dried is Important
Kiln dried lumber is a crucial aspect of woodworking due to its superior stability. It also helps reduce warping or cracking, making for a nicer grade of lumber to work with which results in a higher quality finished product. Having the correct moisture content is very important for quality control, so having our own, on-site, dry kilns allows us to better monitor the moisture content of each batch of lumber to help ensure a consistent and stable finished product.
The Process
The process of kiln drying involves placing the lumber in a specialized chamber and utilizing a combination of heat and air circulation to extract moisture. Proper stickering between each layer of lumber is essential to allow the warm air to penetrate the lumber on all sides making for consistent drying. Proper fans and ventilation is very important! It is also critical to have the lumber weighted down properly during the drying process to prevent twisting, cupping etc.
The Advantage
The advantages of utilizing properly dried wood are quite numerous! Including enhanced stability, improved workability, minimizes waste, prevents swelling and cupping, a decreased likelihood of mold or insect infestation and most importantly it makes for a consistent finished product!