Did you know that more often than not, the lumber that makes up the “skeleton” of your home goes through extensive processing before it gets assembled into framing? One big part of the process is to dry out the lumber using a kiln or other method. The reason this is done is that over many years, all wood adapts to its surroundings. Usually, this means shedding excess moisture inside the wood from when it was a tree.
In some locations, ‘green’ lumber is used as a building material. This is any type of wood that has a moisture content of 19% or higher, which typically means it hasn’t been processed in a kiln or other drying process. It can be considerably cheaper, but it requires special construction methods to account for the expected drying that will naturally happen over the years. When the lumber dries, it shrinks, which can lead to warping or other issues. In many climates, moisture in the lumber can also increase the potential for mold growth in the home.
