When it comes to woodworking, selecting the right wood can make a significant difference in the quality of your finished project. Furniture construction, framing, and garden projects each have different demands, requiring different qualities from the material you use. Jaeger Lumber supplies lumber and building materials to homeowners and contractors across New Jersey. Here, we discuss kiln-dried wood, its advantages, and when you should choose it over other lumber products.
Key Takeaways
- Kiln-dried lumber is wood that has been treated in a kiln to reduce its moisture content and kill pests such as insects, mold, and fungi.
- Kiln-dried lumber offers superior stability to green wood, making it exceptionally resistant to twisting and warping. It is also lighter.
- For standard framing, furniture, flooring, and other highly visible applications, use kiln-dried lumber for its stability and natural appearance.
- For load-bearing applications and very long spans, use engineered lumber for its superior strength and durability.
What Is Kiln-Dried Lumber?
Kiln-dried lumber is a type of treated lumber that has been dried in a kiln, or a large oven. The kiln’s temperature, humidity, and airflow are carefully regulated to ensure a consistent product every time. The kiln-drying process works as follows:
- Freshly cut (green) wood is placed inside a sealed kiln.
- Heat forces water to move from the center of the wood to the surface, where air circulation evaporates it. This drops the water content to 6% to 9%.
- High temperatures also kill off any insects, larvae, mold, or fungi in the wood.
- Steam is introduced into the kiln, conditioning the surface of the wood to relieve the stresses created by the drying process.
The result is a highly consistent, extremely stable lumber product.
What Are the Benefits of Kiln-Dried Lumber Over Green Lumber?
Kiln-drying imparts several major benefits, making it the superior choice to green, untreated lumber in many cases. Some advantages of using kiln-dried lumber include:
- Stability: Kiln-dried lumber is resistant to warping, twisting, and bending, helping you construct features that will stay flush and straight.
- Consistency: Because all kiln-dried lumber is dried to the same water content, you can be confident that it will all behave the same way.
- Pests: The kiln-drying process kills bugs, bacteria, or fungi that are in the wood, eliminating pests that may lead to faster decay.
- Weight: With the majority of its water content gone, kiln-dried lumber is lighter than green lumber, making it easier to work with.
The downside of kiln-dried lumber is its cost. The kiln-drying process makes lumber cost more than green wood, so it may be prohibitively expensive for some projects.
How Does Kiln-Dried Wood Compare to Engineered Lumber?
While kiln-dried lumber and engineered lumber are both man-made products that use wood as a base, they are very different in their processes and applications. Engineered lumber is made from thin slices, or strands, of scrap wood that have been compressed together using adhesives. It may also be treated with heat or chemicals. This increased processing provides several advantages, namely:
- Superior load-bearing strength
- Ability to cross long spans without bending
- Resistant to mold and insects
- Water resistance (in some types)
- Shaped for specific building applications
Engineered lumber is the superior choice for load-bearing applications. That said, it’s also more expensive than kiln-dried lumber, and often less attractive. If strength isn’t a major concern, or if your aesthetics are a priority, then choose kiln-dried lumber.
Shop for Kiln-Dried Lumber Near You in NJ
No matter what materials your project calls for, you can find them at Jaeger Lumber. We supply and deliver lumber across the state of NJ for homeowners, DIYers, and contractors, helping you get what you need for a project you’ll love. Contact us today to learn more about our selection or to find out whether kiln-dried lumber is right for your project.
FAQs About Kiln-Dried Lumber
What does kiln-dried lumber mean?
Kiln-dried lumber is lumber that has been dried in a large oven called a kiln. The oven reduces its moisture content to a specific percentage, usually 6% to 9%. This results in ultra-lightweight wood that is resistant to warping.
Is kiln-dried wood better than regular wood?
Kiln-dried wood is better than regular wood in some capacities. It is more stable than regular wood, meaning that it’s less likely to bend or warp. It is also lighter in weight and therefore easier to work with. It can be more expensive than green wood, however, so it might not be a good option when stability isn’t a priority and budget is a concern.
Is kiln-dried lumber good for outdoor projects?
Kiln-dried lumber can be good for outdoor projects, provided that it is sealed and maintained. Kiln-dried wood does not have any special waterproofing or preservatives, so it needs to be protected if you want a porch, deck, or planter that will last.