The wood drying process: natural or artificial?

Drying wood is an essential step in hardwood processing. It has a direct influence on the stability, durability and quality of wood for carpentry, cabinetry, and construction. But which method should you choose: natural drying (drying) or artificial drying? Here is a comprehensive overview to understand the advantages, limitations, and uses of each technique.

1. Why dry wood?

Freshly sawn wood contains a large quantity of water (50 to 100% humidity depending on the species). To be used indoors or in demanding applications, it must reach a stable humidity level, around 10 to 12%. Poorly-dried wood may warp, crack, or age poorly.

2. Natural drying (or wiping)

✓ What is dry cleaning?

The wood is stored outside (on the park) or in a ventilated shed. Ambient air causes its humidity level to gradually decrease.

✓ Advantages:

• Zero energy consumption
• Gradual decrease in humidity = little stress in the wood
• Economical and natural solution

✓ Disadvantages:

• Very long: several months or even more than a year
• Highly dependent on weather conditions
• Not accurate enough for technical uses

3. Artificial drying

✓ What is artificial drying?

The wood is placed in closed drying cells where temperature, humidity and air circulation are controlled.

✓ Advantages:

• Reduced drying time (at the VUITTON Sawmill): 4 to 6 weeks)
• Regularity of the final humidity level (10-12%)
• Drying adapted to each species (oak, beech, ash...)
• Less risk of deformations or cracks

✓ Disadvantages:

• Higher energy cost
• Requires specialized know-how and equipment

4. Which method should you choose according to your project?

ProjectDrying advisedRough exterior frameSufficient wipeingParquet floors, fine carpentryArtificial dryingRecommended artificial dryingHigh-end furnitureMixed or artificial dryingFirewoodFirewoodLong-lasting wiping

5. The VUITTON Sawmill approach

We combine the two methods according to the projects of our customers. All our wood goes through rigorous wiping, then artificial drying in cells if necessary. We thus ensure stable, safe wood, and perfectly ready for use for construction, carpentry and layout professionals.