slow air drying = stable timber : after sawmilling the wood is carefully hand built into neat stacks and set aside on specially formed racks to air dry for about a year or drying season (April to October) per inch / 25mm of board thickness, prior to Kiln Drying. This is the old rule of thumb but very few modern commercial timber merchants adhere to this or do any air drying at all.
The lengthy period of air drying is essential to slowly release tensions in the timber which means that the boards are far less prone to warping constantly when you make them into something. Wood goes on expanding and contracting by small but very noticeable amounts for centuries – owner and antique restorer Patrick Baxter is at the sharp end of this having to repair furniture several hundred years old for customers which has split and warped due to central heating. Additionally, because a proportion of Lanarkshire Hardwood’s timber is made into bespoke new furniture for clients by Patrick you are guaranteed that regular checks are being made as to the working properties, dryness and quality of Lanarkshire Hardwood’s timber.
When the wood is air dried (moisture content reduced to equal the approximate outside air humidity) it is all moved into our Kiln Drier for finishing down to a moisture content suitable for central heated homes (approx 10%).