Kiln-dried planks are a guarantee of quality and durability

Throughout human history, planks have been an essential building block for all kinds of constructions, such as the hunting tools of indigenous peoples in the Stone Age, warships in the Viking Age, and not least, planks are represented in a diverse way when you look at the furniture range in our living rooms today.

Every purpose of planks requires a unique moisture content. In shipbuilding, a relatively high moisture content is necessary, while planks used in furniture manufacturing require drying. With a moisture content of between 6-10%, the planks are in the moisture range where they are considered “furniture dry”.

At Plankoa we take the drying process very seriously, which is why we have set the bar for the maximum moisture content of the planks at 9%. This means that our planks are 100% furniture-dried before manufacturing and therefore have the best possible conditions for maintaining their structure.

At Plankoa we adapt to the seasons

We adapt to the changing seasons, as this has a significant impact on the natural moisture content of the wood, as humidity reaches its peak in winter and drops to its lowest in summer. We naturally take this into account and kiln-dry our planks according to the time of their felling.

Although open-air drying is primarily relevant when the wood is felled between the end of spring and the beginning of summer, it is still necessary to supplement it with kiln drying - regardless of the time of felling. This is because kiln drying is the most effective way to ensure a quick and precise achievement of the desired moisture level for the planks.

Is the importance of oven drying really that great?

Yes, it is. Kiln drying is crucial as freshly felled wood typically has a natural moisture content of around 20%, which is ideal for microorganisms to thrive. This creates a risk of slow decomposition of the planks, especially if the table is placed directly in the dining room under these moisture conditions in the wood.

Additionally, the high moisture content will have a negative impact, as the planks can develop cracks, shrink and bend significantly faster as the wood continues the drying process in the home. Therefore, to maintain the stability of the planks over time, it is crucial to control the moisture content.

At Plankoa, we always ensure that the humidity in our planks is carefully adjusted. This not only guarantees that the plank table retains its necessary strength, but also that it avoids warping or twisting in the long term. In other words, you don't have to worry about your Plankoa plank table suddenly behaving strangely when you return home from work.

Thank you for reading along.

NB! Visit or book a virtual tour , in our 300 m2 showroom in Rødovre and experience our handmade plank tables with your own eyes. Here you can also customize your plank table, choose from +100 plank tables at fantastic prices, and get personal guidance. We look forward to seeing you!