Which is Best? Kiln Dried vs. Air Dried Logs
Lumber is one of the most critical aspects of building a home, but which type should you use? Lumber is often kiln-dried or air-dried logs. There are advantages and disadvantages to either process. Lumber stores in Sebastopol, CA, use these processes depending on what they want the lumber to be used for and their individual preferences. But what are the differences between air-dried and kiln-dried logs? There are many different opinions on this subject. Some people say that there is no difference because they both have similar drying times and qualities. Others say that air-dried lumber has more natural characteristics than kiln-dried wood. The debate about which is better has been going on for a long time. In this blog post, we will discuss the pros and cons of each type to help you decide what you want to use for your next project!
What is kiln-dried lumber?
Kiln-dried lumber is a type of wood that has been dried in a kiln. Kiln-drying is a process in which wood, typically hardwood and softwood, is dried by circulating heated air inside it. This process starts at the green stage (when the wood has not been dried) and removes moisture content from the wood to prevent warping or cracking. The final product that comes out of these kilns will be substantially less likely to warp or crack due to its increased stability due to removing excess moisture content during this process.
Kiln drying wood can reduce the weight and increase the strength of the finished product, making it more suitable for building homes or furniture. There are multiple types of kiln dryers, but all work by heating the lumber to remove any excess moisture from the material. The most common type uses steam-heated coils with an air heat exchanger where hot air is blown through one side and cools on its way out, effectively removing moisture from within it before being released outside as vapor or liquid water. The other type requires less maintenance because it doesn’t have any moving parts but does require more upfront capital investment since there’s no opportunity to recapture the expense from salvageable timber.
Kiln-dried lumber is considered to be a better quality product. This process also removes any insects or parasites living in the lumber, leading to greater structural integrity. The amount of time needed for drying depends on how wet the wood is when first entering the kiln and what type of wood it is. This process typically takes around three weeks but may take up to six months, depending on these factors.
Kiln-dried lumber is a versatile building material used for construction or as an interior finish for furniture and cabinetry. It provides strength and durability while also giving your home warm with its natural coloration. If you’re looking for a durable, warm option, then consider kiln-dried lumber today!
Pros of Kiln-dried Logs
- More extensive lumber availability than with air drying
- A larger selection of sizes is available as well (thinner pieces are possible)
- Stiffer lumber will remain consistent for greater strength over an extended period of time.
- Kiln drying ensures that logs are dried all the way through.
- Kiln-dried lumber has a consistent appearance and aroma. In contrast, air-dried wood will vary based on weather conditions which cause it to have an inconsistent coloration or smell.
- Kiln drying logs can be done faster than air drying them, saving them time and energy for both loggers and processors.
- Higher quality furniture and other products made from this type of wood will last longer because the material used to make them was treated better by being dried at a higher temperature before getting cut into boards. Consistency also means less warping over time, which means joints fit together nicer!
- Stability and durability lumber dries at an average rate of one inch per year, which means it takes a long time for the wood to dry. Lumber dried in a kiln will be more stable and durable than lumber that is air-dried because it dries faster, which means there’s less of an opportunity for water damage.
Cons of Kiln-dried Logs
- Kiln-dried wood is more expensive than air drying.
- Requires a large investment in equipment
- Requires higher fuel costs for drying the lumber
- It takes a long time for the lumber to dry
What is air-dried lumber?
Air-dried lumber is wood that has been dried with a natural drying process without the use of kilns. The quality of air-dried lumber depends on how long it takes to dry and the amount of moisture in the air when it’s being cut down. Air-drying can take up to years, and it retains more than 50% of its weight in water content when dry. There are many advantages to air-drying, including a reduction in warping due to moisture variation and an increase in strength which leads to better durability. Air-drying wood also provides additional benefits such as reduced shrinkage and better dimensional stability than chemically treated plywood.
New types of air-dried lumber are available that resemble other popular types of wood like oak or walnut. Many people think that air-dried lumber is dried with no additional process, but it’s not. Air drying wood takes time, and a great deal of patience as the wood must be turned regularly to prevent warping or cracking. This method usually results in a product with more pronounced grain patterns than kiln-dried wood, which is uniform in color.
Air drying has been used for centuries by sawmills because it’s an inexpensive way to produce quality lumber without using expensive energy sources like chemicals or kilns. The main drawback is that this method takes significantly longer than other processes such as kiln drying, pressure treatment, or microwave drying. However, if you’re looking for a more natural look and feel in your home furnishings, then air-drying might be the best option for you.
Pros of Air-dried Logs
- They are lighter and easier to transport.
- Have a more uniform appearance than kiln-dried lumber.
- They can be a cheaper alternative to kiln-dried lumber.
- Air-dried wood has a low moisture content, which means it is less likely to decay or become infested with insects and other pests.
- They are also durable, which means they are less likely to be damaged by water.
- Air-dried wood is also lightweight, making it easier to handle and transport in certain situations.
- Environmental Impact Lighter: Processing downed trees into timber uses fewer resources such as wood, water, fossil fuels, etc., making this method better for the environment (and cheaper in some cases). If you do not want a new tree felled just because your old one needs replacing, then choose an environmentally friendly option like air-dried logs!
- Larger pieces: If you need large timber sections for your project, then air-dried wood will give you the size you are looking for!
- Availability in different sizes: Lumber may not be as readily available in larger sizes, but if this is what you are after, then firewood offers a great selection according to log diameter (between 12 inches–72 inches) with standard lengths between 16 feet–35 feet.
- More extensive availability of less-expensive logs available for DIY projects such as cabin building or furniture construction from scratch using rough-cut boards without needing power tools.
Cons of Air-dried Logs
- The downside for air-drying lumber is that it can take much longer than kiln drying methods because logs must be stacked in alternating directions and turned periodically, so they dry evenly.
- It also takes up more space on your property due to the large volume of logs necessary for this type of process.
What’s best? Air-dried or kiln-dried lumber?
That depends on what your needs are; both have pros and cons that need to be considered before deciding which route will work best for you!
Lumber Supply in Sebastopol, CA
We know that when it comes to purchasing lumber, you want something high-quality and affordable. You’ve got a lot of lumber to buy, and you don’t have time for the hassle. That’s why we offer competitive pricing on all our products so you can get what you need without breaking the bank.
Our friendly staff will help answer any questions about our inventory or services with no pressure to buy anything more than what you came in for. And if there are any problems with your order, we’ll make sure they’re taken care of as quickly as possible!
Stop by today and see how easy it is to find everything from air-dried and kiln-dried lumber, live edge wood slabs, salvaged wood, plywood to hardwoods at Eric Christopher Art! Contact us today at (707) 815-4724