Moisture content (timber)
Moisture content is the weight of water in a piece of wood expressed as a percentage of its dry weight.
Also known as timber moisture content, MC, wood moisture, kiln-dried timber
Freshly sawn timber can contain more water than wood fibre by weight, a moisture content above 100 percent. It is kiln-dried for construction, typically to around 12 to 20 percent. As timber dries it shrinks and can twist, so wood installed too wet moves after the building is closed, causing cracks, squeaks and gaps.
High moisture content inside a closed construction also creates a risk of mould. That is why building moisture is controlled: dry timber at delivery, protection from rain, and time for the structure to dry before it is sealed.
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