Kiln-dried lumber has low moisture content, making it ideal for woodworking. Green lumber is wet and warps as it dries, so most companies dry it before sale. Kiln drying is faster and more controlled than air drying, but acclimatization is important for some applications. Some people prefer air-dried lumber, while others see no significant difference.
Kiln-dried lumber is lumber that has been heated in a kiln so that it has a low moisture content. When the drying process is complete, the lumber usually has a moisture content of between 6% and 8%, making it significantly drier than green lumber or air-dried lumber. Many hardware stores and lumber companies stock such lumber for their customers, and this type of wood is ideal for a variety of woodworking tasks.
When lumber is first harvested and cut, it is known as “green” because it has not been dried or treated. Green lumber is very wet and, when used as is, tends to warp as it dries and contracts. Therefore, most lumber companies dry the wood before offering it for sale so that it is ready for use. Drying in a controlled environment is important, as it allows the wood to contract without warping. Lumber can also be treated with chemicals to resist insects, mold, and rot; treated lumber tends to be slightly more expensive.
In the case of kiln-dried lumber, the wood is dried in giant kilns with carefully controlled temperature and humidity levels. The goal is to let the boards dry quickly and evenly and to avoid warping that could make the wood unusable. The alternative is air drying, where the lumber is allowed to sit in a ventilated area so it loses moisture and contracts. Air drying tends to take longer and brings the moisture content closer to 15% than the desired 6% to 8%.
For some applications, kiln-dried lumber can be used as-is. In other cases, the lumber may need to acclimate for a week or two, and the wood may pick up additional moisture during this time. Acclimatization is important for crafts such as cabinet making, as changes in moisture content can cause problems with joints and moving parts, as wood swells or contracts when humidity levels change. Good woodworkers often allow the lumber to acclimate in a corner of an air-conditioned shop for several weeks before using it.
Some people strongly believe that there are appreciable differences between air-dried and kiln-dried lumber, preferring one style over another. Others believe that there are no significant differences and that it is much more practical to simply use available timber. You can also air or kiln dry at home or in a store, with green lumber purchased from a supplier. For some applications, supervision of the drying process may be preferable, as it allows absolute control over the moisture content and conditions under which the wood is dried.
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