Air drying is the first process in stabilizing the lumber. Air drying is sufficient for lumber that will be used outdoors. Air drying will only remove the lumbers moisture to the “equilibrium moisture rate.”

Kiln drying is a dehumidification process that removes lumber moisture below the “equilibrium moisture rate.” Kiln drying is required for all lumber that will be used in an air conditioned environment.

Air-conditioned homes typically have a moisture content of 7-9%. The average Equilibrium Moisture Content (EMC%) for the southeast is 12-15%. When lumber is introduced to different moisture content it will react to the environment, i.e. expand and contract. This expansion will make the lumber twist, bow, split, and crack. This will ruin that special piece of furniture you spent hours to build.

Additionally, sanitization is required for your indoor lumber. Sanitization is the process of bringing the lumber up to a max of 160 degrees to “kill” fungus or bugs in the lumber.

We recommend that rough cut lumber being used as barn siding or fence material (or any other external application) to be stacked and air dried a minimum of 30 days. Note: depending on the species and how long the tree was cut down may result in excessive tree sap (specifically on Southern Yellow Pine).

If you allow the lumber to air dry down to the EMC, the more stable the final product will be. This process could take up to 2 years depending on the thickness of the lumber.

Rough cut lumber that will be kiln dried will be air dried to a wood species specific moisture content prior to being placed in the kiln. This process could take up to 180 days.

The Google definition is this:

The board foot is a specialized unit of measurement used almost exclusively within the lumber industry to quantify the volume of wood. This measurement system provides a standardized way to price and trade lumber, regardless of a board’s specific shape or length. Since wood is a natural product that comes in varying dimensions, the board foot simplifies the transaction by converting all pieces into a single volumetric unit for consistent estimation.

Here are some examples of board feet in common lumber sizes:

1”×6”×12’ = 6 board feet

2”×4”x8’ = 5.33 board feet

1”x4”x16’ = 5.33 board feet

Live edge slabs are not sold by board foot. Live edge slabs are individually priced depending on availability and uniqueness of the piece.

Untreated lumber can be used outside. The lumber will decay faster if it is not sealed or preserved. It will exponentially decay if it is in contact with the ground.

Certain wood species is more resistant to rot and decay than others. Cypress, oak, and cedar are local species that are more rot resistant than others.