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Basically there are two ways of drying sawn timber:
- Evaporation of the water contained in the wood ensues in the open air under natural climatic conditions until the moisture equilibrium is achieved. The period required for natural drying of wood until achievement of such state depends on the following factors:
· average local climate,
· type of wood,
· thickness of wood,
· type of storage.
The state of wood achieved in this way is called air-dry.
Evaporation of the water contained in the wood ensues in drying kilns under controlled conditions of heat, steam, air circulation.
Controlled drying of wood also calls for correct storage and maintenance of the sawn timber and protection against detrimental influences, such as:
- fungi changing and destroying the wood,
- animal pests like insects or insect larvae,
- weather influences (rain, heavy solar radiation, storm).
There are different ways of storing sawn timber, depending on the moisture content and purpose of use:
- open-air timber yards,
- open or semi-open storage sheds,
- closed buildings.
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