How to Air Dry Lumber

There are several different types of wood.  Preparing lumber for use is important.  The most efficient way to dry lumber is to air dry it. There are a few different reasons to dry wood, for example added value to the wood and less change of stain or decay.  Air-drying works well on wood to be used for indoor or outdoor use.

1. Cut and mill the trees as early in the spring as possible.


2. Choose a breezy open space.  The space should be fairly level. If the ground is not level prepare it and even the area out.


3. To keep out any moisture, place a plastic barrier down on the ground or surface. The wind must blow through the pile to take the moisture with it, therefore, orient the pile so the wind will blow across the longer side. Correctly stacked lumber will dry swiftly in weather that is moisture less and hot. Some woods will dry in as little as six weeks and others in eight to ten weeks.


4. Build the base for the lumber pile taking care to make the base as level as possible.  There needs to be a slight slope to help assist with water drainage.  There should be two rows of eight-inch construction block to have enough elevation to allow the air to blow under the pile of lumber.  The block needs to be spaced two feet on center.  Next, use two eight feet runners of steel or wood, whatever is preferred, to the block rows.  This will help to level the eight feet span.  Last thing needed before the base is ready is to add four feet spans of 2 by 4 or 4 by 4 spans on the edge to connect the eight-foot runners.


5. Make sure to have sticker sticks of wood ready to place between layers of wood.  They need to be 1 by 2 and be dry.


6. Stack the wood.  After the first layer, leave a 1/4 to ½-inch gap between the planks of wood.  Place the stickers on top and make sure they are in line with the stickers below.  Doing so will help to transfer weight uniformly throughout the pile.


7. Cover the pile of wood with a roof.  To do this, ad a layer of 2 by 4's across the width to create the base for a roof.  Leftover roofing material, shingle scraps or other materials can be used for the roof.


8. Make sure to add weight on the top of the pile to help keep the top part of the pile from buckling during rain and windstorms.