KILN-DRIED vs. AIR-DRIED
a log home. Many claims that the magic words “Kiln-Dried” can eliminate potential troubles with Dried”
or “KD”. However, this does not mean that kiln-dried is better than air-dried logs in constructing a log
home. Many claims that the magic words “Kiln-Dried” can eliminate potential troubles with shrinkage
and settling are not true. READ ON… and decide which method is best for you.
shrinkage and settling are not true. READ ON… and decide which method is best for you.
Kiln-Dried
Unlike drying small pieces of lumber, it is not, in our opinion,
financially feasible to dry an entire 6”or 8” thick log to the
industry standard of 19% or less moisture content.
As a result, the surface area and only a small portion of the
interior are actually kiln-dried. Moisture still remains in the
center in spite of most claims to the contrary.
Once subjected to the kiln’s high temperature, the kiln-dried
logs become very porous and can gain back much of the
moisture, particularly if stored in humid areas or in the rain.
Remember, most companies do not store their logs under cover.
Kiln drying consumes time and energy, which adds to the manufacturer’s costs. Kiln-dried still have
a tendency to shrink and check.
Kiln drying subjects the logs to high stress, and creates a high degree of waste. Abnormal amounts
of checking and twisting result in excessive amounts of poor quality logs, which the manufacturer
can’t sell. Consequently, the costs to the manufacturers, and then to consumers, go up.
Kiln drying sets the sap and kills insect larvae. It is a technique primarily used by manufacturers
who use a large amount of sapwood in their logs, or who sell Yellow or Red Pine (or young growth
trees) and other species that have high quantities of sap.
Air-Dried
Air-drying allows the “green log” to naturally lose some of its moisture
without subjecting it to unnatural stress.
All logs, kiln - or air - dried, will eventually reach the moisture content of the
area in which they are used (ambient relative humidity).
Air-drying allows logs to better absorb mildewcide and other EPA registered preservation and
insecticide treatments. Remember how often you need to water your live Christmas tree?
Air-drying reduces checking because logs dry slower, creating less waste.
Air-drying allows better quality milling, kiln-dry logs tend to splinter when milled.
Katahdin Cedar Log Homes utilizes the Air-Dried method for its Northern White Cedar logs.
Our covered air-drying sheds store logs, keeping them clean and protected from the
elements until shipping.
a log home. Many claims that the magic words “Kiln-Dried” can eliminate potential troubles with Dried”
or “KD”. However, this does not mean that kiln-dried is better than air-dried logs in constructing a log
home. Many claims that the magic words “Kiln-Dried” can eliminate potential troubles with shrinkage
and settling are not true. READ ON… and decide which method is best for you.
shrinkage and settling are not true. READ ON… and decide which method is best for you.
Kiln-Dried
Unlike drying small pieces of lumber, it is not, in our opinion,
financially feasible to dry an entire 6”or 8” thick log to the
industry standard of 19% or less moisture content.
As a result, the surface area and only a small portion of the
interior are actually kiln-dried. Moisture still remains in the
center in spite of most claims to the contrary.
Once subjected to the kiln’s high temperature, the kiln-dried
logs become very porous and can gain back much of the
moisture, particularly if stored in humid areas or in the rain.
Remember, most companies do not store their logs under cover.
Kiln drying consumes time and energy, which adds to the manufacturer’s costs. Kiln-dried still have
a tendency to shrink and check.
Kiln drying subjects the logs to high stress, and creates a high degree of waste. Abnormal amounts
of checking and twisting result in excessive amounts of poor quality logs, which the manufacturer
can’t sell. Consequently, the costs to the manufacturers, and then to consumers, go up.
Kiln drying sets the sap and kills insect larvae. It is a technique primarily used by manufacturers
who use a large amount of sapwood in their logs, or who sell Yellow or Red Pine (or young growth
trees) and other species that have high quantities of sap.
Air-Dried
Air-drying allows the “green log” to naturally lose some of its moisture
without subjecting it to unnatural stress.
All logs, kiln - or air - dried, will eventually reach the moisture content of the
area in which they are used (ambient relative humidity).
Air-drying allows logs to better absorb mildewcide and other EPA registered preservation and
insecticide treatments. Remember how often you need to water your live Christmas tree?
Air-drying reduces checking because logs dry slower, creating less waste.
Air-drying allows better quality milling, kiln-dry logs tend to splinter when milled.
Katahdin Cedar Log Homes utilizes the Air-Dried method for its Northern White Cedar logs.
Our covered air-drying sheds store logs, keeping them clean and protected from the
elements until shipping.
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| Timber Ridge Enterprise / P.O. Box 637 / Louisville, Nebraska NE 68037 (402) 301 6009 info@timberridgeenterprise.com |
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