Heat Treatment (Torrefied) Makes Wood Less Moisture-Hungry

Torrefied wood changes more than just its color. In a study of Douglas-fir, heat treatment reduced equilibrium moisture content by as much as 42.6% and volumetric swelling by as much as 67.5%.

Why it’s useful: Heat-treated or torrefied blanks can be more dimensionally stable, although the treatment can also make wood more brittle and should not be viewed only as cosmetic darkening.