Description

Kiln drying and heat treatment are two common methods used to reduce the moisture content of wood in order to make it more stable and resistant to mold, pests, and decay. Both processes involve using heat to remove moisture from the wood, but there are some key differences between the two:

Kiln Dried:
– Kiln drying involves placing the wood in a large oven-like chamber called a kiln, where the temperature and humidity are carefully controlled to speed up the drying process.
– Kiln drying is a faster and more efficient method than air drying, as it can reduce the moisture content of the wood to the desired level in a matter of days or weeks.
– Kiln dried wood is typically more uniform in moisture content and less prone to warping, twisting, and cracking than air dried wood.
– Kiln drying can be used to achieve specific moisture content levels, making it ideal for applications where precise moisture content is important, such as woodworking.

Heat Treated:
– Heat treatment involves subjecting the wood to a high temperature for an extended period of time in order to kill any insects, fungi, or other pests that may be present in the wood.
– Heat treatment is particularly effective at eliminating wood-boring insects such as termites, powderpost beetles, and carpenter ants.
– Heat tre

ated wood is often used for international shipping and packaging, as it meets the ISPM 15 standard for phytosanitary measures to reduce the risk of introducing invasive pests to new regions.
– Heat treated wood may not necessarily have a reduced moisture content, as the main goal of the process is to eliminate pests rather than dry the wood.

In conclusion, while both kiln drying and heat treatment involve the use of heat to process wood, they serve different purposes and are used for different applications. Kiln drying is primarily used to reduce the moisture content of the wood, while heat treatment is used to kill pests.