Editing Log house (section)

=== Kiln-dried logs ===
Mills that have a kiln on site have the option of artificially accelerating the drying process. Green timber is placed inside a large oven, where heat removes moisture from them; however, they can suffer severe checking and cracking if the kiln controls are not properly monitored during the drying process. Use of a kiln can reduce the drying time from many months to several weeks. Kiln-drying usually results in an average moisture content of 18-20% ("average" means the average moisture content of the outside and the center of the log).

In [[North America]], logs reach equilibrium moisture content at about 6% and 12%;<ref>USDA Forest Products Laboratory, "The Wood Handbook", Ag Handbook #72</ref> since most kiln-dried logs are dried down to about 18% to 20% moisture content, kiln-dried logs can be expected to shrink and settle over time, but to a lesser extent than green logs.