Methods of drying timber
June 1, 2009 by blogtopia
Filed under Definitions
Broadly, there are two methods by which timber can be dried: (i) natural drying or air drying, and (ii) artificial drying.
Air drying
Air drying is the drying of timber by exposing it to the air. The technique of air drying consists mainly of making a stack of sawn timber (with the layers of boards separated by stickers) on raised foundations, in a clean, cool, dry and shady place. Rate of drying largely depends on climatic conditions, and on the air movement (exposure to the wind). For successful air drying, a continuous and uniform flow of air throughout the pile of the timber needs to be arranged (Desch and Dinwoodie, 1996).