How to Reduce Uneven Expansion or Shrinking

When working with wood, one must be aware of how stock expands and contracts and build the piece accordingly. Failure to prepare for the movement of the wood could result in damage to the piece. Fortunately, there are a number of things you can do to reduce the possibility of a problem due to uneven expansion or shrinking. One of the most obvious steps is to acclimatize your wood stock before beginning to build the project.

While most fine wood suppliers try to provide stock that is kiln-dried to an appropriate moisture level, the wood should still be acclimatized. Simply put, this means buying the stock for your project and storing it for a period of time to allow the moisture level of the wood to even out with the local climate. For instance, if a tree was milled into stock, with half of the stock being sent to a humid area, like Florida, while the other half to a very dry area, like the desert Southwest of the United States, the two shipments of stock from the same tree would eventually react very differently in the disparate environments. If a piece of furniture were built before allowing the stock to become accustomed to the local climate, the movement of the stock as it acclimates could damage the piece. However, storing the wood for a couple of months in the local environment (where the finished piece will be used) prior to beginning the project will greatly reduce the chance of a problem.

There are a number of other steps that can be taken, a number of which we outline in How to Reduce Uneven Expansion or Shrinking. By implementing some simple steps, you'll greatly reduce the possibility of a problem due to expansion or shrinkage.