Kiln Drying

Stable, Strong & Pest-Free

Our commercial kiln facility reduces moisture content, eliminates pests, and stabilizes dimensions — transforming green or reclaimed lumber into material that performs flawlessly in structural and finish applications. ISPM-15 certified for international shipping compliance.

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The Process

How Kiln Drying Works

Kiln drying is the process of reducing the moisture content of lumber in a controlled, heated environment. Unlike air drying — which can take months or years and produces inconsistent results — kiln drying achieves precise moisture targets in days, with uniform results across the entire load.

Our kiln operates at temperatures between 130°F and 180°F, depending on the species, thickness, and target moisture content. Air circulation fans ensure even heat distribution, and computerized controls monitor temperature, humidity, and moisture content throughout the cycle. Venting systems manage the release of moisture-laden air and the intake of fresh, heated air.

The result is lumber that has reached its target moisture content uniformly — not just on the surface, but through the full cross-section of the board. This uniformity is what prevents warping, cupping, checking, and other moisture-related defects after the wood is installed.

Temperature Control

Precise heat management between 130–180°F prevents surface checking while driving moisture out of the wood core. Ramp-up and cool-down schedules are tailored to species and thickness.

Humidity Management

Controlled humidity prevents the wood surface from drying too fast relative to the core — the primary cause of checking and internal stress in kiln-dried lumber.

Air Circulation

Reversing fans ensure every board in the stack receives equal airflow. Proper stickering (spacers between layers) allows air to reach all surfaces uniformly.

Moisture Monitoring

In-kiln moisture probes track the drying progress in real time. We don't estimate — we measure. The kiln cycle ends when every sample probe reads at or below the target.

Why Kiln Dry

What Kiln Drying Does for Your Lumber

Dimensional Stability

Wood moves as its moisture content changes. Kiln-dried lumber has already reached equilibrium — so it won't shrink, warp, or cup after installation. This is critical for flooring, cabinetry, furniture, and any application where tight tolerances matter.

Pest Elimination

The sustained heat of the kiln cycle kills all wood-boring insects, larvae, and eggs at every life stage. This is especially important for reclaimed lumber, which may harbor pests from its previous use. Kiln drying is the most reliable pest treatment available.

Mold & Fungus Prevention

Mold and fungal growth require moisture. By reducing the wood's moisture content below 20%, kiln drying eliminates the conditions that support biological growth. Properly dried lumber stays clean and stain-free in storage.

Improved Workability

Dry wood machines better, accepts fasteners without splitting, glues more reliably, and takes stain and finish more evenly. If you're planning to mill, sand, or finish your lumber, kiln drying first produces noticeably better results.

Increased Strength

As wood dries, its structural properties improve. Kiln-dried lumber has higher compressive strength, stiffness, and hardness compared to green or air-dried material of the same species. Building codes recognize this in their grading standards.

Lighter Weight

Water is heavy. A green Douglas fir 2x10 can weigh twice as much as the same board kiln-dried. Lighter material is easier to handle on the job site, cheaper to transport, and places less dead load on structures.

Compliance

ISPM-15 Certified Heat Treatment

ISPM-15 (International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures No. 15) is the international standard governing the treatment of wood packaging materials used in international trade. It exists to prevent the global spread of wood-boring pests through pallets, crates, and dunnage.

Our kiln facility is certified to perform ISPM-15 compliant heat treatment (HT). The standard requires that the core temperature of the wood reaches a minimum of 56°C (132.8°F) for at least 30 continuous minutes. Our kiln cycles exceed these minimums — we hold treatment temperatures for several hours beyond the threshold to ensure complete compliance.

After treatment, each piece is stamped with the official ISPM-15 mark, including our facility identification number and treatment code. This mark is recognized by customs authorities worldwide and is required for all solid wood packaging entering international commerce.

Who Needs ISPM-15?

✓Manufacturers shipping products internationally on wood pallets
✓Exporters using wooden crates, cases, or skids
✓Companies building custom shipping containers from solid wood
✓Logistics providers managing international supply chains
✓Any business using solid wood dunnage in export cargo

Non-Compliance Risks

Shipping goods internationally on non-compliant wood packaging can result in cargo being quarantined, rejected, or destroyed at the port of entry. Penalties include fines, shipment delays, and potential loss of import privileges. The cost of ISPM-15 treatment is a fraction of the cost of a single rejected shipment.

Capacity

Kiln Specifications & Turnaround

Kiln Specs

Capacity5,000 board feet per charge

Max Lumber Length20 feet

Max Lumber Width24 inches

Temperature Range130°F – 180°F

Control SystemComputerized with real-time monitoring

Moisture Probes12 in-kiln sample probes

CertificationISPM-15 approved facility

Turnaround Times

Softwood, 4/4 (1" thick)5–7 days

Softwood, 8/4 (2" thick)7–10 days

Hardwood, 4/4 (1" thick)7–10 days

Hardwood, 8/4 (2" thick)10–14 days

Heavy timber (4"+ thick)14–21 days

ISPM-15 heat treatment only2–3 days

Turnaround times are from kiln loading to completion. Add 1–2 business days for intake processing and stickering. Times vary based on initial moisture content, target moisture content, and species characteristics.

Target Moisture Content

The target moisture content depends on the lumber's intended use. Interior applications in Idaho's climate typically call for 6–8% MC. Exterior applications and structural framing are usually dried to 12–15% MC. Furniture-grade stock is often dried to 6–7% MC for maximum stability.

6–8% MC

Furniture & Cabinetry

7–9% MC

Interior Flooring & Trim

12–15% MC

Structural & Exterior

Your Lumber, Our Kiln

Customer-Supplied Kiln Drying

Have lumber that needs drying? We accept customer-supplied material for kiln drying services. Whether you've air-dried boards that need finishing, green lumber from a recent mill run, or reclaimed wood that needs pest treatment, we can run it through our kiln on a fee-per-board-foot basis.

Customer-supplied material should be delivered to our yard stickered and sorted by species and thickness. This allows us to group your material with other stock of similar characteristics for optimal drying schedules. Mixed-species, mixed-thickness loads require separate kiln charges and may increase cost and turnaround time.

We recommend combining kiln drying with our milling services for the best results. Lumber that is planed after kiln drying produces a cleaner surface and more accurate final dimensions than material planed before drying.

Pricing

Kiln drying is priced per board foot, with rates varying by species group (softwood vs. hardwood) and thickness. Volume discounts apply to loads that fill a full kiln charge (5,000 BF).

Softwood drying (per BF)From $0.25

Hardwood drying (per BF)From $0.35

ISPM-15 treatment only (per BF)From $0.15

Full kiln charge discount15% off

Drop-Off Requirements

✓Material must be stickered (spacers between layers)
✓Sort by species and thickness — do not mix
✓Label your material with your name and contact info
✓Remove all metal fasteners before drop-off
✓Schedule drop-off in advance for loads over 1,000 BF

Common Questions

Kiln Drying FAQ

Can you kiln dry green (freshly cut) lumber?

Yes. Green lumber typically starts at 40–80% moisture content depending on species. We can dry it to your target MC, but turnaround times will be longer than for partially air-dried material. For green hardwood thicker than 8/4, we may recommend a period of air drying before kiln entry to reduce the risk of checking and internal stress.

Will kiln drying change the color of my wood?

Some color change is normal. Many species darken slightly during kiln drying — cherry and walnut may oxidize to a richer tone, while pine can develop a slightly warmer hue. If color preservation is critical, let us know and we can adjust the schedule to minimize thermal impact. Reclaimed wood with existing patina will retain most of its character.

What is the difference between kiln drying and heat treatment?

Kiln drying is a moisture reduction process — the goal is to reach a specific moisture content for dimensional stability. Heat treatment (as required by ISPM-15) is a pest-control process — the goal is to reach a specific core temperature for a specific duration. We can do both simultaneously or independently, depending on your needs.

Can I kiln dry lumber that has already been installed and removed?

In most cases, yes. Reclaimed lumber that has been in service and then removed is a common candidate for kiln drying. We inspect all reclaimed material for metal and contamination before loading. If the wood has been exposed to chemicals, paint with lead content, or other contaminants, we evaluate it on a case-by-case basis.

Do you offer moisture content certificates?

Yes. Every kiln-dried order includes a moisture content report showing entry MC, exit MC, and the kiln schedule used. For ISPM-15 treatment, we issue a heat treatment certificate with time-temperature data. These documents are included at no additional charge.

Ready to Dry Your Lumber?

Whether you need moisture control for a furniture project or ISPM-15 compliance for export packaging, our kiln is ready. Contact us with your species, thickness, quantity, and target moisture content for a prompt quote.

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