If you’re planning to install reclaimed lumber in your home, then you might have heard about kiln-dried wood. Is kiln-dried wood better? Kiln drying is an essential process to transform reclaimed lumber into stunning finished hardwood flooring, paneling, mantels, and much more. Below, we’ve explained the steps in the making of kiln-dried lumber and also outlined some of the main reasons it is best to only buy kiln-dried lumber.
What is Kiln Drying?
Kiln drying involves taking water from wood by placing it in a huge kiln. While some businesses choose to dry their wood by air, this method is fraught with danger. Kiln drying, however, is a more sophisticated and secure method. The goal of drying wood in a kiln is to achieve the equilibrium moisture content of wood, also known as “EMC.” Achieving EMC implies that the wood is able to more easily withstand fluctuations in temperature from the outside and makes the final item last longer.
6 Key Advantages of Kiln Dried Wood: Is it Better?
If you buy kiln-dried lumber, you will ensure better quality products. Here at Manomin Resawn Timbers, we’ve always dried our wood in a kiln because, after many years of trial and error, we have found that this is the best method for the natural processing of our reclaimed wood. There are numerous advantages to buying wood that has been subjected to the drying process in the kiln.
Kiln Dried Wood Has Consistent Quality
The process of drying wood inside a kiln provides an environment that is controlled and lets you easily alter the humidity, temperature, and airflow during dry-out. The wood is dried best at times when it has a constant and constant circulation of air. Kiln drying is the best method to get the ideal balance of air, which ensures dry wood that is uniformly dried.
It’s not hard to see why the consistent quality of wood is so important. For one thing, I believe that wood that has not been machine-processed is superior. Variations in texture and style are possible. However, the uneven quality of the wood can cause it to show different wear-in times. Therefore, three years after the installation of your gorgeous project, it could appear very different.
Kiln-dried Wood Is Easier To Install
The process of drying the wood inside a furnace will help to stop your wood from shrinking. Reclaimed wood that is shrinking is much more difficult to put in and may cause a number of headaches after installation. Eliminating the wood’s moisture inside the kiln guarantees that the wood is of a uniform size, even after the wood has been installed. Kiln-dried wood doesn’t require an extensive acclimatization process and is ready for installation.
You Can Make Your Wood Last Longer By Kiln Drying It
A high level of moisture can cause wood to warp with time, reducing the lifespan of your ceiling tiles, flooring, or any other reclaimed wood accents. Kiln-dried lumber that has reached its optimal EMC is able to withstand different settings without being weakened in its structural quality. When you buy kiln-dried wood, you won’t have to be concerned about the health of your wood even in extreme temperatures during the summer and winter seasons, making kiln-dried wood suitable for all four seasons.
Kiln Drying Wood Kills Bugs
Another major benefit of kiln-drying wood is that it can eliminate eggs or bugs that could be within the wood. A majority of the reclaimed wood has been outdoors in barns or old factories for more than a century and has been home to a variety of bugs. The temperature of the kiln could be raised enough to kill the unwanted creatures and ensure they stay out of your house.
Kiln Drying Wood Standardizes Your Wood Product
As we’ve mentioned earlier, the process of kiln drying is an advanced method of drying wood. The result is that every plank will have a uniform and more refined appearance. The wood that has been kiln-dried is also more robust. It’s sturdy enough to stand up to the milling that is to follow, which gives the wood a better finish.
Kiln-dried Wood Is Very Cost-Effective
One of the major advantages of kiln drying is that it is much quicker than traditional air drying and still able to achieve an excellent outcome. Wood that could require several weeks for air drying can dry in just an hour in the kiln. The quicker process implies less work goes into creating the finished wood. This results in wood that is more durable and cheaper than wood that has been air-dried.
If you can utilize this benefit to the fullest extent, this will allow you to make use of more wood and take on bigger projects for a lower price. Additionally, keeping the wood can be cheaper later on and is more durable, which saves the cost of replacement at the time of replacement.
The Disadvantages of Untreated Reclaimed Wood
Reclaimed wood that has not been treated for your home can result in many unnecessary problems. Untreated wood can be dangerous to work with and difficult to keep clean. Here are a few disadvantages to having untreated wood used at home.
Untreated Wood Still Has Unwanted Metal In It
Untreated wood could contain nails as well as other pieces of metal. It is important to be cautious when handling it because the objects could be dangerous. These dangers could pose a risk to your pets and family should they be installed prior to being removed. If you believe that the wood you’re buying is free of hazardous metals, you should check it twice. It’s impossible to be certain unless you are aware of what the wood was used for, and even then, it’s worth doing an extra check. The possibility of someone hurting themselves isn’t enough to warrant the risks.
Untreated wood is very hard to clean
Wood that has not been treated isn’t able to be cleaned with water and soap. A lot of moisture can result in serious damage to wood. It’s also much less susceptible to spills and stains, making it an unsuitable choice for families with busy schedules or with children. The simple act of kiln drying wood will make it more resistant to staining and moisture. It goes one step further than cleaning and also adds protection to your timber. The last thing you want is to damage or stain your wood with time, which could have been prevented.
The pest in wood is still present
As previously mentioned, kiln-drying wood can eliminate unwanted insects and eggs. If you’re using wood that has not been treated, it’s a sign that you’re likely to invite these pests to your home. It is possible to switch the wood you’re using to kilned wood , or you could connect with the Terminix offices in Connecticut (if you reside in or near this region) to avail the services of an expert pest control firm. They can eliminate undesirable pests inside your house if this is the direction you’re looking to take. Reclaimed wood is highly sought-after for a number of reasons, mainly due to its past. However, when you’re dealing with bugs, you’ll want to put them back where they were in the past.
Untreated wood wears and tears much faster
Finally, untreated wood is more likely to rot and wear faster than treated wood. If you use untreated wood, you’ll need to save money to preserve your new recycled wood pieces over time and be prepared to replace them if the ones you’ve installed shrink and warp. Just kiln-dry the wood prior to installing it. This will allow the wood to ensure longevity and be free of all the elements that cause warping or the degrading process to begin early. This will help it last longer, appear better, cost less, and be easier to keep.
To sum it up
The best wood to use in your project is well-dried wood. Shuowei is a kiln-drying wood specialist, and our vacuum kiln-drying machine is one of the best-drying kilns on the market. Reach out to us today to delve deeper into why Is Kiln Dried Wood Better suits your needs.
