Vacuum Kiln Drying
At John’s Urban Timber, we use advanced vacuum kiln drying to bring reclaimed and salvaged wood to perfect moisture balance while preserving its natural character.
Unlike conventional kilns, our vacuum process gently removes moisture at lower temperatures — reducing stress, cracking, and discoloration. This allows us to dry thicker slabs faster, safer, and more evenly than traditional methods.
All Drying Done In-House — Never Outsourced
Every board and slab is processed on-site at our Whitmore Lake workshop. We don’t send materials elsewhere, ensuring complete control from start to finish.
Our vacuum kiln accommodates a variety of species and thicknesses, making it ideal for live-edge slabs, custom lumber, and reclaimed materials.
Drying times vary based on thickness and species, but most projects reach optimal moisture content in just a few days — compared to weeks or months in traditional systems.
We take pride in giving every piece the attention it deserves, so you receive beautifully conditioned wood that’s ready to use right away.
What You Can Expect:
- In-house vacuum kiln drying – Every board is dried under controlled conditions in our own facility.
- Faster results – Achieve ideal moisture levels in days instead of weeks.
- Stable, crack-free lumber – Even drying prevents warping, splitting, and internal stress.
- Thick slab capability – Perfect for large, live-edge, and reclaimed wood projects.
- Sustainable process – Low-temperature drying that reduces energy waste and preserves natural color.
Get In Touch
Other Services
What I Do
With three different size sawmills, John’s Urban Timber saws logs into unique slabs and then uses a vacuum kiln to properly and thoroughly dry the wood.
Vacuum Kiln Drying
Our vacuum kiln carefully dries each slab, ensuring stability, durability, and the perfect moisture content for woodworking.
Slabs & Lumber
Browse our wide selection of kiln-dried slabs and reclaimed boards, each piece full of natural character and unique grain.
Jointing
Precision jointing up to 30" wide delivers flat, true surfaces that make glue-ups and fine woodworking seamless.
Planing
We offer expert planing services to create consistent thickness and smooth finishes on rough or reclaimed lumber.
Sanding
With a wide-belt sander up to 42", we achieve flawless, polished surfaces that bring out the grain and beauty of the wood.
Do You Want Custom Woodwork ? Contact Us Now
Where specialty is normal and unique is everything. My business is providing the services people need to recycle and reclaim wood into useful products, and I have been doing this since the fall of 1998.