Kiln-drying, is it important?  If it is important, how important is it really?

Without a doubt,kiln-drying is the most important step in the manufacturing of a log home. This critical process of reducing a log's moisture content ensures a quality product that will last over time. When administered properly, kiln-drying will not only remove excess moisture from the wood, it eliminates mold and fungi, insect infestation and provides a better base for stains and finishes.

We understand the importance of kiln-drying and take great care to ensure the process is properly administered. With three kilns in operation, our mill dries its logs for a minimum of 30 days at temperatures that rise to 180 degrees, uniformly shrinking, sanitizing and stabilizing the logs. This period of time ensures that each log's moisture content has been reduced to 19% or less. This results in the removal of as much as 10,000 lbs. of water from a typical log home.

Kiln-Drying Facts

*  Kiln-drying stabilizes the wood.

*  Kiln-drying, before the milling of

    the logs, maintains the quality

    of the logs.

*  Most checks occur during drying.

*  Logs can be turned during the

    milling, placing checks in such a

    way as to maximize the best

    possible finish.

*  Kiln-drying kills wood boring

    insects and decay fungi (dead-

    standing and pre-seasonal logs

    harbor both of these).

*  Kiln-drying sets the pitch and

    prevents pitch bleed.

*  Kiln-dried logs are lighter,

    thereby saving in the cost of

    transportation.

Does the Competition Stack-Up on Kiln-Drying?

*  Minimum of 30 days in kiln is

    required

*  Temperatures that reach 180

    degress

*  Logs are monitored throughout

    the drying process according to

    our kiln-drying schedule

*  When criteria has been met

    several samples of the logs are

    cut and weighed

*  A moisture meter (prode) is used

    to check moisture content of

    these samples 

*  With the correct moisture level

    achieved, the logs are placed in

    the dry until milling

*  Moisture levels are checked once

    again during the milling process

*  Any log not meeting the correct 

    moisture level is dropped out

*  To assure quality, logs are

    checked a final time before 

    being shipped