When making lumber products, it is very important that the wood has a certain moisture content. Therefore, any woodworking enterprise has a device called a moisture meter. You can’t do without it in everyday life if you like to make anything from wood. We will tell you in this review how not to make a mistake when choosing a device for measuring moisture in wood.
Working principle of the moisture meter
Before the invention of these devices, the moisture content of lumber was calculated according to GOST. But this took quite a long time and required extremely precise adherence to all instructions.
Using a moisture meter, you can determine the moisture content in wood almost instantly. The operating principle of the device is based on a series of measurements of the electrical resistivity of wood.
The value of this indicator is different for each humidity level. The devices calculate humidity with some error. Typically its value varies from 0.5 to 4%.
The inaccuracy of measurements is explained by the following factors:
- Measurements are carried out locally. The moisture content of the log may vary in different areas. To reduce the error, they try to carry out measurements at several points.
- Different types of wood have different densities. Today, modern universal moisture meters are equipped with the option of determining the type of wood.
What you need to know about wood moisture content
Initially, freshly cut wood has a moisture content of 60% to 90%, depending on the harvesting season. During the drying process, the material is brought to the required condition. For construction, liquid in wood should be no more than 10–15%, for carpentry products 8–10%.
Too dry wood, below 4% humidity, is also a minus. It will crack during processing due to fiber delamination. Such material is additionally impregnated with preservative and pest-cleaning compounds until the required saturation characteristics are obtained. The indicator of which is the final humidity.
In turn, forest areas saturated with water over 15% are less likely to undergo strengthening treatment. They are difficult to impregnate and paint - insufficiently dried wood poorly absorbs priming and cleaning compounds.
EM4806
The STIHL model has compact dimensions. Allows you to measure the moisture content in lumber and concrete mixtures. Weighs only 50 g. The error is 2%.
Advantages:
- ability to select temperature unit;
- auto power off function;
- convenient display equipped with backlight;
- battery charge level indication;
- low cost.
What to look for when purchasing
When purchasing a moisture meter for wood, the first thing you need to pay attention to is its type, the breadth of the humidity scale, the immersion depth to which the measurements are taken and the accuracy.
For building materials, a needle apparatus with varying degrees of probe length is quite sufficient. Only non-contact hygrometers are suitable for finished wooden products, polished, painted or varnished.
The width of the moisture scale limits the extent to which the tester calculates moisture saturation differences. For professional and expensive models, the range of captured values can range from 0% to 100%. Medium-priced device options determine from 2% to 60% of water in the wood structure, which is quite enough for everyday use.
The depth of measurement makes it possible to find out the liquid content not only in the upper layers, but also in the entire forest. In contact hygrometers, the parameter is determined by the length of the needles, for induction ones - by the final power of the emitters. The characteristic is indicated in millimeters. It can be found on the moisture meter documentation pages.
When choosing, one of the determining values is the accuracy of the device. For budget devices, the spread of measurement results from the real state of affairs is 0.5–4%. The lower the error value, the better.
Availability of additional functions
Future owners may be interested in the advanced functions of hygrometers included by manufacturers in devices to increase interest in the model range. These include: flashlight, charge indicator, saving measurements, hold mode for the received value (“Hold”), selecting the type of wood, backlight, keeping a measurement log, buzzer.
A separate characteristic that influences the choice of device is the IP index of the housing’s resistance to harmful environmental factors - moisture and dust. A bonus is often the ability to determine the moisture content of building materials other than wood - concrete, soil, sand, plaster and the like.
Rating of the best paints for concrete
| Nomination | place | Name of product | price |
| Rating of the best moisture meters | 1 | LASERLINER MoistureMaster Compact 082.333A | 20 146 ₽ |
| 2 | MEGEON 20550 | 20 330 ₽ | |
| 3 | TESTO 606-1 | 9 500 ₽ | |
| 4 | CEM DT-172 | 6 100 ₽ | |
| 5 | MEGEON 20725 | 2 490 ₽ | |
| 6 | CONDTROL Hydro-Test 3-14-022 | 1 990 ₽ |
The German-Chinese moisture meter LASERLINER MoistureMaster Compact 082.333A is distinguished by its simplicity and reliability. Using this professional instrument, it is possible to determine humidity in different materials with high accuracy (0.2% error). Experts note a large measurement range (0-66.5%) and a wide range of applications.
Builders use the device to control the moisture level of cement screed, concrete, and gypsum plaster. For carpenters, the moisture meter is interesting because it stores 56 types of wood. For instant data processing and a 12-segment backlit indicator, the model takes first place in our rating.
Users praise the moisture meter for its high accuracy, rapid analysis and unpretentiousness. The only drawback is the high price.
The emergence of new building materials based on traditional synthetic and composite materials logically changes approaches to technologies for constructing houses and structures. And yet, no plastic can replace the unique qualities of wood. At least this applies to the combination of environmental friendliness, affordable price and decorative properties.
Physical characteristics are not among the strengths of this building material, which necessitates careful testing of the material before use. In assessing one of the key indicators of the condition of a structure, moisture meters for wood and lumber are used. As the name implies, such a device gives an idea of the moisture level of the material, which, in turn, allows you to make decisions about further actions with the object being examined.
When choosing among manufacturers, it is advisable to turn to companies that specialize in the development of metrological equipment. The most respected brands in this family include Geo-Fennel, Testo and Condtrol. In the Wagner line you can find a good construction wood moisture meter. Reviews of devices from this manufacturer note not only the quality of the measurements themselves, but also the structural reliability. In terms of cost, budget contact devices are available for an average of 2-3 thousand rubles. Contactless analogues are estimated at 5-7 thousand.
Rating: 4.9
A deep matte surface can be created on the walls or ceiling of a room using Tikkurila Euro 3 Matt paint. The Finnish manufacturer sells a full range of colors in our country. Experts appreciated the exceptional wear resistance of the coating; it withstood more than 5,000 brush passes during testing.
Specialists are also delighted by the covering power of the material, so 1-2 layers are often enough to carry out the initial painting of concrete or to renew a previously painted surface. The paint's environmental friendliness and safety helped it become a winner in our rating, which makes it possible to decorate children's rooms and dining rooms.
User reviews are dominated by notes of praise. The advantages include moisture resistance, hiding power and ease of use.
Advantages
- high quality;
- ease of application;
- wear resistance;
- efficiency.
Flaws
Dufa Betoplast
Rating: 4.8
Dufa Betoplast paint allows you to combine several operations at once. The material impregnates, insulates, protects, fills and improves concrete and cement substrates. After drying, a durable coating is formed, which is highly resistant to mechanical, chemical and atmospheric influences.
Users have tested the paintwork in both homes and garages. It withstands temperature changes and mechanical stress, but is afraid of organic solvents.
Advantages
- multifunctionality;
- high adhesion;
- resistance to mechanical stress;
- elasticity.
Flaws
Rating: 4.7
Professional paint Dulux Bindo Facade BW is made on a latex basis. It is intended for the design of facades and plinths that have a mineral base. Experts note the successful combination of moisture resistance and vapor permeability, thanks to which an optimal microclimate is maintained in the house. The manufacturer has added biocidal additives to the composition; they reliably protect concrete or plaster from fungus and algae.
Russian painters praise Dulux Bindo Facade BW paint for its excellent coverage, good adhesion and quick drying. The disadvantages include the high price.
Advantages
- moisture resistance;
- vapor permeability;
- durability;
- excellent hiding power.
Flaws
Rating: 4.6
Teknos TEKNOFLOOR AQUA paint has been developed for finishing work inside buildings. This water-soluble acrylate-based material is used for painting both concrete surfaces and wood structures. At the same time, the manufacturer recommends adhering to several technologies (for new and old concrete floors, for new and old wooden floors). Experts gave Finnish paint fourth place in our ranking for its environmental friendliness and wide range of applications.
Read more: Brief review of rawmid dream mini bdm 08
Among the advantages of the composition, painters note good coverage and excellent adhesion. Potential buyers are stopped from purchasing by the high price of paint. At the same time, the material does not have superpowers and requires gentle operating conditions.
Advantages
- environmental friendliness;
- wide scope of application;
- high quality;
- good adhesion.
Flaws
- high price;
- modest wear resistance.
Colorex Betopaint
Rating: 4.5
The Swedish façade paint Colorex Betopaint has unique properties. It combines hydrophobicity with high throughput. Thanks to this, aqueous solutions of salts that form in the plaster are removed. Experts appreciated the adhesive properties of the material and the resistance of the coating to weathering.
Few users have experienced in practice the capabilities of the paint and varnish material. The few reviews so far are positive.
Advantages
- water repellency;
- vapor permeability;
- reasonable price;
- environmental friendliness.
Flaws
- rarely used by Russian users.
Rating: 4.4
The Sherlastic Elastomeric coating stands out from its competitors due to its high flexibility. The American manufacturer supplies paint in 19-liter packaging, which is not always convenient for consumers. The product’s inclusion in the TOP 6 of our rating was ensured by the material’s excellent weather resistance and durability of the coating.
Users praise American paint for its good coverage, clogging of small defects in the base, and ease of application. The disadvantages include the high price and inconvenient packaging.
Advantages
- elastic coating;
- weather resistance;
- chemical resistance;
- elimination of base defects.
Flaws
- high price;
- inconvenient packaging.
Flugger Dekso 5
Rating: 4.3
Flugger Dekso 5 paint captivated our experts with its aesthetics and functionality. The acrylic-based water-based paint is used for finishing hotels, offices, and kitchens. The coating has a beautiful matte surface, it is water-repellent and wear-resistant. Thanks to its dirt-repellent ability, the painted surface remains perfectly clean for a long time. However, for this set of useful characteristics the consumer will have to pay a hefty sum. The composition is in seventh place in our ranking.
Users note the environmental friendliness of Danish paint, luxurious matte surface and excellent cleaning abilities. Craftsmen are satisfied with the covering power of the material and the ease of application.
Advantages
- beautiful matte finish;
- water- and dirt-repellent abilities;
- wear resistance;
- environmental friendliness.
Flaws
Rating: 4.2
Facade paint Tex Profi acrylate base D is a transparent dispersion. It is designed for painting concrete bases, plastered surfaces, and clay bricks. The material can also be applied to previously painted facades with a firmly adherent coating. The manufacturer sells the composition at the lowest price, which becomes an attractive factor when purchasing.
Domestic consumers speak flatteringly about the affordable price, smooth coating and good adhesion. But it should not be used in the kitchen because the coating will wear off with frequent washing.
Advantages
- ease of application;
- no odor;
- low price;
- good adhesion.
Flaws
- low abrasion resistance.
Attention! This rating is subjective in nature, is not an advertisement and does not serve as a purchase guide. Before purchasing, consultation with a specialist is required.
Introduction
Why do you need to choose a meter at all? Well, I bought the first one I came across for the tree and that’s it! But no, friends, that won’t work. Some moisture meters give a large error on warm or hot lumber, others are very bulky and heavy, and others can only measure the surface of the board without measuring the moisture content inside.
As you understand from the above, each type of meters has its own task. And based on the functions you need, you need to choose a moisture meter. Now I will describe the functions, and it’s up to you to decide on choosing one or another meter.
Varieties
Needle
A traditional model that measures the resistance of wood. Equipped with two probes resembling needles. They are located at a distance of 3 - 4 centimeters from each other.
The probes are inserted 2 - 3 millimeters into the wood. The device measures the resistance between them, processes the information received and displays it on the screen.
This type of hygrometer has a number of advantages:
- price – refers to the most inexpensive options;
- reliability – it very rarely fails and remains operational for a long time;
- relative accuracy - in most cases, the readings are reliable and true;
- versatility - using contact devices you can measure humidity not only on wood, but also on other materials (for example, brick, concrete).
There are three disadvantages:
- The first is the need to damage the material being tested. If wood is used for construction, there is nothing wrong with that. But if it is for furniture or decor, such damage is undesirable.
- Second , the device can measure humidity no higher than 4%. After all, if a tree is drier than this indicator, it has a very high resistance. This means that it is impossible to reliably measure humidity. Meanwhile, sometimes this is necessary - for example, when making furniture from certain types of wood.
- The third is the impossibility of measurements in conditions of negative air temperature. The fact is that frozen water conducts electricity worse. Thus, it is impossible to draw a conclusion about the moisture content of a tree in the cold by obtaining information about its resistance.
Contactless
A more modern version of the device. Uses ultrasound to examine wood, which it can independently generate. Under the influence of sound waves, the material begins to vibrate.
In this case, the frequency of vibration of the tree depends on the degree of its wetting. Oscillations are read and processed. Based on the data obtained, the moisture content of the material is calculated.
Unlike a needle device, an ultrasonic device does not require damaging the wood - just bring the scanner to it. The error in the readings is very low - no more than 1% - 2%. It is possible to study almost dry material. Work in cold temperatures down to - 5 o - 7 o C is allowed.
Expert opinion
Levin Dmitry Konstantinovich
The only drawback is the price. Non-contact hygrometers are several times more expensive than needle hygrometers.
TOP models on the market
The presented rating of moisture meters is based on the frequency of purchase of device brands at retail outlets and user reviews.
| Model | Type | Moisture scale width (wood) | Accuracy | Maximum measurement depth | Materials | Additional functions | Price |
| Testo 606-1 | Needle | 7–54.8% | — | Surface | Wood, concrete, brick, screed, plaster, plasterboard, aerated concrete | Screen backlight, holding current reading | 9900 |
| KWB 0121-00 | Needle | 6–44% | 2.5% | Surface | -//- | Temperature measurement, auto power off, low battery indicator | 2500 |
| CMT DMM-001 | Needle | 5–50% | 2% | Surface | -//- | Hold button, buzzer | 3355 |
| Condtrol Hydro-Tec | Contactless | 2–65% | — | 20 mm | -//- | Temperature measurement, low battery indicator | 5990 |
| RGK WH-40 | Needle | 5–40% | 1% | Surface | Only wood | Minimum and maximum recording, backlight, auto power off, charge indicator, reading hold | 2000 |
For paper
| Series | HM8 | |
| Model | PMC2 for kraft paper, packaging paper and cardboard | RLF/TS with saber probe in a wooden box, designed for working with stacked paper |
| Peculiarities | — | For measuring relative humidity, temperature and dew point |
| Measuring depth | 13 mm | — |
| Humidity measurement range | 3–10 % | 0–100% Resolution: 0.1% rel. wet |
| Operating temperature range | — | — |
| Ready-made programs | — | — |
| Temperature adjustment | Automatic | — |
| Indicator | — | Humidity, temperature and characteristics |
| Menu languages | — | German, English, Italian, French |
| Dimensions | 120 x 60 x 26 mm | — |
| Weight | — | — |
