Swelling & shrinking of wood
Anyone who has a floorboard at home may have noticed that the cracks can change: they become narrower or wider over time. When laying parquet, it is therefore extremely important to maintain appropriate distances from the walls. Because the wood shrinks and swells, the distance between the slats changes.
It is also important to take these properties of wood into account when making furniture. When the humidity in the room increases, wood absorbs the moisture and increases in volume. When the air is dry, the wood loses moisture - it shrinks. However, this is not a material defect: shrinkage and swelling of wood is completely normal.
What shrinkage and swelling of wood means
But why does wood shrink and swell? One would think that the wood is dried and stiff. However, solid wood is a “hygroscopic”, i.e. water-attracting, natural product. Its countless cells strive to adapt to the environment. Unlike steel or plastic, it has the ability to absorb and release moisture. In this respect, it is actually a living material that is constantly changing.
However, you will hardly notice the shrinkage and swelling of wood in a piece of furniture that is perfectly crafted. Appropriate wood connections give the wood the opportunity to vary its volume without causing cracks to form. We also give our wood an extra long time to dry before we process it. This also reduces the shrinkage and swelling of wood.
When does wood shrink or swell?
You don't need to pour an empty bucket of water over solid wood furniture or the parquet floor for the wood to swell. The seasons are enough: In summer, when the air can only absorb a little moisture, the moisture in the wood increases. Because it absorbs the excess water in the air.
The cold air in winter, on the other hand, absorbs more water - and at the same time the humidity decreases due to heating. In humans, this effect is noticeable through dry mucous membranes. And the wood also dries, releases moisture and shrinks. It is therefore advisable to ventilate the rooms well, especially in winter: This is also good for the wooden furniture, because cracks can appear in the event of extreme shrinkage.
Which wood doesn't shrink at all?
Regardless of whether it is oak, beech, spruce or pine: there is no wood that does not shrink. But different types of wood shrink to different degrees. Softwood more, hardwood less. For our solid wood tables, seating and cutting boards We only process hardwood: namely Oak wood , walnut and Ash wood . These types of wood are extremely robust and are perfect for making long-lasting pieces of furniture.
Shrinking and swelling of wood cannot be prevented
Since solid wood is a natural material, shrinkage and swelling cannot be avoided. However, experienced carpenters use the wood material in the production according to the direction of growth in such a way that shrinkage and swelling are only slightly or not at all noticeable.
By the way, it is interesting that the material generally shrinks and swells in three different “wood anatomical” directions: in the grain direction, in the wood beam direction (radial) and in the tree ring direction (tangential). Incidentally, wood changes most in the direction of the tree rings. This is not unimportant for experts, as such a piece of wood shrinks very differently in height, width and depth.
No problems when treated with wood oil
The unsightly consequences of shrinking and swelling of wood can be smaller or larger cracks. The mechanical stress is particularly annoying with lacquered furniture. The paint layer is a closed surface: If it is stretched, it tears - ugly cracks and chipping of the paint are the result.
However, we recommend treating solid wood with natural oil, as we do. This elastic and open-pored sealing allows the wood freedom of movement and accommodates shrinkage and expansion without any problems. An oiled piece of furniture is resistant to dirt and moisture - and at the same time has excellent effects in terms of shrinkage and swelling.
