Meeting Growing Demand
Over the past two years, demand for kiln-dried reclaimed lumber has grown substantially — driven by tighter building code requirements, more architects specifying reclaimed wood for commercial interiors, and a broader awareness among DIY customers that properly dried wood performs better and lasts longer. Our single kiln has been running at full capacity since mid-2024, and lead times for kiln-dried material have stretched longer than we are comfortable with.
To address this, we are installing a second kiln at our Murray Road facility. The new unit is a Nyle L200 dehumidification kiln with a 5,000 board-foot capacity, and it is scheduled to be operational by mid-March 2025.
Why Dehumidification Kilns
We chose dehumidification kiln technology for both our original and new kilns because it offers several advantages for reclaimed lumber processing. Unlike conventional steam kilns, which use high temperatures (130-180 degrees Fahrenheit) to drive moisture out quickly, dehumidification kilns operate at lower temperatures (90-120 degrees Fahrenheit) and remove moisture by condensing it out of the circulating air.
The lower temperature is critical for reclaimed wood. High-temperature kilning can cause case hardening — a condition where the shell of the board dries and hardens while the core remains wet, leading to internal stress that manifests as checking and cracking after the wood is machined. Reclaimed wood, which already carries internal stresses from decades of service, is particularly vulnerable to this problem.
Dehumidification kilns dry wood more gently and evenly, reducing the risk of drying defects. A typical charge of 1-inch reclaimed hardwood takes 4 to 6 weeks in our dehumidification kiln, compared to 2 to 3 weeks in a high-temperature steam kiln — but the quality of the dried material is significantly better.
Energy Efficiency
Dehumidification kilns are also remarkably energy-efficient. The Nyle L200 uses approximately 1 kilowatt-hour of electricity to remove 3 gallons of water — far less energy per gallon than a conventional steam kiln. With electricity costs rising, this efficiency translates directly to lower operating costs that we can pass along to customers.
What This Means for Customers
Shorter Lead Times
The most immediate benefit is reduced lead times for kiln-dried reclaimed lumber. With double the kiln capacity, we expect to cut our kiln-dried material lead time from the current 4 to 6 weeks down to 2 to 3 weeks for most species and thicknesses. For customers who need kiln-dried material for a specific project deadline, this is a significant improvement.
More Kiln-Dried Inventory
With additional capacity, we will be able to maintain a larger standing inventory of kiln-dried reclaimed lumber in our most popular species and dimensions. Our goal is to have kiln-dried heart pine, white oak, and mixed hardwood flooring and paneling stock available for immediate purchase, without the wait for a kiln cycle.
Custom Kiln-Drying Services
We are also expanding our custom kiln-drying services. If you have your own reclaimed lumber that needs drying — whether from a personal salvage project, a barn you deconstructed yourself, or material purchased elsewhere — we can kiln-dry it for you. Our standard custom kiln-drying rate is $0.50 per board foot, with a 500 board-foot minimum.
Open House Event
To celebrate the new kiln's commissioning, we are hosting an open house at our Virginia Beach facility on Saturday, April 5, 2025, from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM. Come see the new kiln, tour our processing facility, browse our reclaimed lumber inventory, and talk with our team about your upcoming projects. We will have kiln-drying demonstrations running throughout the day, and our grading specialist will be available to answer questions about species identification and lumber grading.
Light refreshments will be provided, and we will have a special one-day discount on all kiln-dried inventory. No RSVP needed — just come by 124 Murray Road, Virginia Beach, VA 23455. We look forward to seeing you there.