What is Seasoning of Timber?

Hi, 

Last year, I visited my uncle, who still lives in our village. There, I spotted quite a lot of timber being out under the sun. This got me curious, and I asked my uncle what this was and why this was necessary. My Uncle replied that the process is called natural seasoning of timber. This was necessary to lower the amount of moisture present in timber. 

He explained that it takes quite a long time to burn timber that hasn't been seasoned. Then I asked him what is natural seasoning of timber?. 

Natural Seasoning Of Timber

As said by my uncle, to define seasoning of timber is a natural process is to use natural elements such as air and water to season it. He also said that there are multiple advantages of seasoning timber. 

• Improves the dimensional stability of timber. 

• Natural seasoning prevents the decay of timber.

• Seasoning reduces around 35% weight of timber, thus making it easier to transport. 

• As the moisture in timber reduces, it becomes a lot stronger. 

• Though it takes a long time, if seasoning is done properly, it can last quite a lot of years with ease. 

I hope this explains what natural seasoning of timber.

If you are searching for what is seasoning of timber, then you have landed in the correct place. Seasoning is a manner of lowering the amount of moisture in wood to the desired level. Strength, elasticity, and durability qualities are generated by lowering the moisture content. A thoroughly seasoned portion of wood contains 15% moisture. Scroll down to know more about timber seasoning.

What is the purpose of seasoning timber?

The seasoning process for wood is crucial to enhancing its quality and toughness, making it ideal for a variety of purposes. Let’s check out a few purposes for seasoning below:

• To avoid breaking down, shrinking, investigating, and warping.

• To modify and enhance the characteristics of wood.

• To increase stiffness and rigidity.

• To enable preservatives to penetrate

• To achieve a surface ready for paint, polish, or adhesive.

• To guard against degradation.

• To minimise wood's adverse actions.

Methods of Seasoning of Timber

There are two techniques for seasoning wood, which are described here.

1. Natural Timber Seasoning:

   Natural seasoning is the method of ageing wood by exposing it to natural elements, like air or water. Water seasoning or air seasoning are examples of natural seasoning.

2. Artificial Timber Seasoning:

   Natural seasoning yields better results but takes longer. As a result, artificial seasoning has become available these days, which can be seasoned in just four to five days. Boiling, Chemical, Kiln, and Electrical seasoning are examples of this seasoning. 

This was all about, what is meant by seasoning of timber.