New Information about Radio Frequency Vacuum Kiln Dried Timber Frame

June 16th, 2010 Posted in Uncategorized

Kiln Dry Timbers are becoming more and more a conversation Specialty Built Construction has at each Home Show that we participate in as well a question from past and current clients. The true science of Kiln Dry has come full circle which now includes “Radio Frequency Vacuum Dried Timbers”. Even here there is a separation of true percentage of moisture through out the timber. Buyer beware!

Finally we have located a company which has the most advanced and proven “15% moisture content through out the timber”. What does this mean? There are suppliers in the industry that advertise the Radio Frequency program but do not have the quality control of the moisture content. Plainly speaking, the first 1-2 inches of the exterior part of the timber may be 15% moisture, however the core is at 20%-25% moisture. So the timber is not truly dried and will continue to shrink, check, crown and twist.  

The true process assures that the timbers are straight and will not move in any way. These Radio Frequency Vacuum Kilns provide  250,000 pounds of pressure onto the bundled timbers while going through the drying process.  The drying process uses clean electrcity nd releases “zero negative emissions”. All the water from the Kilns is clean, filtered into the city’s waste water system.  Additionally, the water is pH balanced  to compliment the city’s waste water processing. Along with this processing, the bonding occurs inside the timbers in which all the pitch is gone . The timbers are quality control checked from the core to the exterior to verify 15% percent moisture content.  The wood is heated directly by applying radio frequency to a solid pack of wood. Plus this method is done with less energy versus standard kilns that use natural gas or hog fuel to heat up the chamber, then blow warm air around the wood. 

This contact that Specialty Built Construction has is exclusive to one Timber Frame Company that we have the relationship to offer this to our clients.  The plant can be toured while your timbers are going through the Radio Frequency Vacuum Kiln Dry process as well as visit my Timber Frame Supplier.

The cost is more than the normal “green wood” supplied for timber frame. You are buying a larger size of timber frame post and beams because they are are going to shrink in size as they dry. Our pricing is by “board feet”. Two things occur , we are buying larger sizes of timber and paying for the Radio Frequeny Vacuum Kiln Dry process. 

So why buy this process? Due to the availability or lack of the older trees needed for larger projets or heavier loads that need “free of heart”(FOHC)  which costs more. We can now use “box heart” Radio Frequency Vacuum Kiln Dried. Box Heart is a less cost douglas fir and has more availability. Plus once the timber is Radio Frequency Kiln Dried is has become stronger through the process.  This brings the new process back into Timber frame arena for middle to high end homes.

We can talk more about this process September 25th & 26th at the Log and Timber Info Fair in the Lynwood Washington Convention Center. Lower Concourse, Halls 1D and 1E.  My booths are 21,23,25. We look forward to see you there. Feel free to contact me for more information about us as a Timber Frame Builder and or/Supplier.   

The next Timber Frame Show is at the Puyallup Washington Convention Center October 29th-31st,  Booths:   1-5.  So if you miss the September Show, make sure you make the October Show. Looking forward to meet with you. I will have more information to share at the Shows.