KDAT Wood

KDAT Wood refers to any wood that is kiln dried after treatment. Most pressure treated wood is shipped to the retailer still saturated with water from the treatment process. As treated lumber dries, either still in a tight bundle or fastened with one side up and often exposed to the sun while the other side is in perpetual shade, the moisture evaporates more rapidly from exposed surfaces . Uneven drying creates internal stress making the wood prone to shrinkage, cupping or warping.

When treated wood is kiln dried after treatment (KDAT) the moisture content is brought down to around 19% or lower. This controlled removal of moisture renders the wood much more stable than if it were allowed to dry naturally and also reduces it’s weight by as much as 30 to 40 percent. Additionally KDAT lumber is ready to paint, stain or seal immediately after installation unlike regular treated lumber which needs to dry out for days or weeks prior to applying a finish.