Why does timber have to be seasoned

Nails Screws Hinges. Hand Tools Power Tools Machinery. Facts and Tips. Generally the thicker the timber the wider the spacing can be. Stickers play an important role in the seasoning of timber, not only do they allow the air to flow in and around the individual planks in a pack of timber but it also ensures that the weight is distributed evenly throughout the packs. The top boards in a stack are greater exposed to sunlight and therefore require protecting to minimise the risk of splits and checks appearing.

A sacrificial board known as a cover board is generally produced during the first cuts on a log. These cover boards are strapped to the top packs to provide protection from the elements. When packs have been produced and stacked in our yard we apply a coating of wax to the ends of each board. Timber seasoning is a controlled process during which timber is allowed to dry out prior to being used in construction. Avoiding the use of moist wood in construction projects is very important for a number of reasons, making this process key to the quality of timber builds of all types.

By reducing the water content of wood by around 15 percent through the removal of bound water, as well as the free water found in the various crevices of the wood, a whole host of benefits prevail. Timber seasoning is important and beneficial to the timber industry and for use on construction projects for a number of reasons:.

The process of timber seasoning is one that can take place either out in the air, or within special wood-drying kilns; a particularly effective solution which provide the timber with the optimum levels of heat and air flow required for the drying process — both of which are crucial factors.

For both of these processes, the timber has to be cut down to size before being stacked within these structures or out in the open to ensure the flow of air around each board. Therefore timbers are exposed to a moist warm atmosphere. Generally, the chamber is constructed with bricks. This method provides better seasoning results with green timber.

This process is also known as hot air seasoning. It renders timber brittle and bleaches deep coloured timber.

In a kiln seasoning, the drying of timber is performed inside an airtight chamber of the oven. Now the relative humidity is gradually reduced.

Until the desired degree of moisture content is attained, the temperature is increased and maintained. According to the construction mode and work mode, the kiln may be grouped into two types, such as stationary kiln and progressive kiln.

Stationary Kiln — In the Stationary kiln single compartment is used to perform the seasoning process. It is suitable for seasoning timbers, which require close control of temperature and humidity and give better results.