Resources for Sawmills

Knowing the key terms found in and around sawmills will help you make the right choice for your business. Sawmills not only furnish the wood we use for furniture and paper products, they supply a wide range of by products that help businesses as well. In relation to these products, learning and familiarizing yourself with sawmill key terms will help you better communicate in the field as well as keep yourself safe while you are on location.

Debarking

Debarking refers to the process of removing bark from logs in preparation of cutting the logs into smaller pieces of lumber.

Cants

Cants are unfinished logs that are to be further processed. They are often used for log homes.

Flitches

Flitches are unfinished planks that have a smooth edge.

Kiln

Kilns are used to remove moisture and dry lumber. Sawdust and other mill waste are sometimes used to heat wood-drying kilns.

Particleboard

Particleboard can be created from the sawdust and other mill waste. This helps cut waste disposal, reduces the need to cut down virgin lumber and gives sawmill owners another source of revenue.

Barkdust

Barkdust is another sawmill byproduct that can be used for landscaping or burned for heat. When used for landscaping, it is also referred to as bark dust, bark chips, bark mulch, or beauty bark.