In primitive days, our ancestors used to dry wood using the sun and wind. This process took weeks or even months, during which time the lumber was exposed to the elements and constantly shifted around, which caused cracking, warping, and checking. Sometimes, it becomes unusable anymore, hence efforts are wasted.
But now as technology and modernization emerge, wood can be dried in a matter of hours using a kiln. Kiln drying is the process of slowly heating wet lumber to remove the moisture. Wanna know how it’s done and understand more what is kiln-dried wood? Continue reading!
Introduction to Wood
First of all, we all should learn the basics of wood. Basically, wood is an organic material that is composed of cellulose, lignin, and other minerals. It is a natural composite material that has been used by humans for centuries for various purposes like framing, flooring, and paneling. It can also be used to make furniture, cabinets, doors, and many other household items.
Wood is also a renewable resource, which means that it can be replenished over time. Trees are cut down and new trees are planted in their place. This is unlike fossil fuels, such as coal and oil, which take millions of years to form and cannot be replaced once they are used up.
What is Kiln-dried Lumber?
When a wood is harvested, cut and processed, it will be dried in a lumber kiln for wood drying. And the product of that is called kiln-dried lumber. The process of kiln drying of wood removes the moisture from the lumber, which prevents the lumber from warping, cracking, or splitting. It’s faster compared to the conventional method and this is the best solution on how to dry wet wood fast?
The moisture content of undried lumber can be as high as 100%. This means that for every 100 pounds of undried lumber, there are 50 pounds of water. But once it is transformed into a dry kilned wood, the moisture content is reduced to around 15%. After the process, the lumber will become more lightweight.
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Understanding the Kiln-drying Process
The process of kiln drying lumber is fairly simple. Below shows a simple explanation on how the process is done.
- The lumber is placed in the kiln and the temperature is slowly increased. As the temperature rises, the moisture in the lumber evaporates.
- Once the ideal moisture content of kiln dried wood is reached, the kiln is turned off and the lumber is allowed to cool. The entire process can take several days, depending on the type of wood and the desired moisture content.
The kiln dried lumber is often used for construction purposes because it is less likely to warp, crack, or split than green lumber. It is also easier to work with because it doesn’t shrink or swell as much as green lumber when it’s exposed to changes in humidity.
How long does it take to kiln dry wood? Drying times can vary greatly depending on the type of wood, its initial moisture content, the thickness of the lumber, and the air conditions in the kiln. However, a wood kiln drying time chart can give you a general idea of how long will it take to achieve a kiln dried hardwood or softwood.
Advantages of Kiln Drying
Now we’re done learning the basics of wood and kiln drying, let’s learn how advantageous it is!
Improving the quality of wood
Typically, wood that has been dried in a wood kiln is of a higher quality than wood that has been untreated. This is because the kiln-drying process removes more moisture from the lumber, which prevents the lumber from warping, cracking, or splitting, hence making it more durable
Kiln-dried lumber is also less likely to shrink or swell when it’s exposed to changes in humidity. This means that the lumber will maintain its shape and size better than air-dried lumber, which makes it easier to work with.
Extending the life of wood products
Well, since kiln-dried lumber is of a higher quality, it’s logical that it would also last longer than the untreated one. This is because the kiln-drying process removes more moisture from the lumber, which prevents the lumber from warping, cracking, or splitting.
Kiln Drying Wood Kills Bugs
Another advantage of kiln drying lumber is that it kills any bugs that may be living in the wood. The high temperatures of the wood drying kiln kill the bugs, and this prevents them from infesting your home or office. Also, the microorganisms and other small entities responsible for wood rotting are killed during kiln drying, thus preventing the lumber from rotting.
Wood that has been kiln dried is also less likely to be attacked by insects in the future because the dried texture of the wood is already unpalatable
Kiln Dried Wood is Very Cost-Effective
Kiln drying lumber is very cost-effective. The process of kiln drying lumber is faster than air-drying, and this means that you can get your product to market faster. Plus, it makes the wood more lightweight, and this reduces the shipping costs.
Kiln-dried lumber is also less likely to warp, crack, or split than air-dried lumber. This means that you’ll save money on repairs and replacements.
Lastly, kiln drying is also more energy-efficient than air-drying. This means that you’ll save money on your energy bill, and you’ll be doing your part to help the environment.
Disadvantages of Untreated Logs
Apparently, when logs are untreated, you would expect ranges of negative effects in the long run. And here’s the list of common disadvantages you would experience by using untreated logs.
- more likely to warp, crack, or split than treated logs.
- more likely to shrink or swell when they’re exposed to changes in humidity. This means that they won’t maintain their shape and size as well as treated logs, which makes them more difficult to work with.
- more likely to be attacked by insects.
- more likely to rot than treated logs.
Types of Kilns
It’s been miles of learning the advantages of kiln drying and we think it’s the perfect time to learn the types of kiln. Stay put and keep on reading!
Conventional kilns
Conventional kilns are the most common type of kiln. They’re typically used to dry kiln wood, and they can be either batch or continuous kilns. It sometimes uses an air drying wood process.
Dehumidification kilns
Dehumidification kilns are similar to conventional kilns, but they’re equipped with a dehumidifier for drying wood. This type of kiln is typically used to dry lumber, and it’s more energy-efficient than a conventional kiln.
What makes it efficient is you’re able to track the drying process by making a dehumidification drying schedules
Vacuum kilns
Vacuum kilns are the most efficient type of kiln. They work by removing the air drying from the chamber, and this allows the lumber to be dried more quickly.
Solar kilns
Solar kiln or solar wood drying kiln is the most environmentally-friendly type of kiln. They work by using the sun’s heat to dry the lumber.
Summary
Overall, kiln-dried lumber is a better choice than the untreated ones. Kiln drying is faster, and more energy-efficient, and it kills any bugs that may be living in the wood. Kiln-dried lumber is also less likely to warp, crack, or split than air-dried lumber. If you’re looking for the most cost-effective and efficient way to dry lumber, kiln drying is the way to go, no matter if you’re using a solar kiln drying wood or whatever.
Congratulations on reaching this point! We know it hasn’t been an easy task but you’ve done great. Now that you know all there is to know about kiln drying, its advantages, and types don’t forget to put this knowledge into good practice!
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