Carpentry- Seasoning of Woods - Workshop Practice
Seasoning of wood is the process of removing moisture content to make timber suitable for construction and other applications. Freshly cut wood contains a high level of moisture, which can cause defects such as shrinkage, warping, and decay. Proper seasoning enhances the structural integrity of timber, making it stronger, more durable, and easier to work with. It reduces the risk of decay, increases load-bearing capacity, improves electrical insulation, enhances glue adhesion, and facilitates preservative treatment. Seasoned wood is lighter in weight, stronger, and more workable, ensuring better performance in construction and woodworking. Air seasoning, a natural method, involves stacking timber in open air to allow gradual drying through evaporation, though it is a slow process with non-uniform results. Kiln seasoning offers a faster alternative, using controlled temperature and humidity to reduce moisture content to as low as 6%, though it requires expertise and is costly. Chemical seasoning accelerates drying by treating timber with solutions like sodium chloride to reduce vapor pressure, preventing surface cracks. Electrical seasoning uses high alternating current to heat and dry green timber quickly but can weaken the woods structure and is expensive. Another approach is the boiling method, where timber is immersed in boiling water to wash out sap, followed by air drying, though this method compromises fiber strength and is rarely used today. Each of these techniques plays a vital role in improving wood quality, making it more durable, stable, and suitable for diverse applications in construction and furniture-making.
