 |
Technical Data |
| |
| Species |
Density |
Dimension
Change Coefficient |
| |
(lbs/ft^3) |
Radial |
Tangential |
| Red
Oak |
42.5 |
0.00158 |
0.00369 |
| Cherry |
30.0 |
0.00126 |
0.00258 |
| Hickory |
50.5 |
0.00259 |
0.00411 |
| Hard
Maple |
42.5 |
0.00165 |
0.00353 |
| Soft
Maple |
36.4 |
0.00137 |
0.00289 |
|
|
Dimension change coefficient is the percent change per inch
per 1% change in moisture content. |
Moisture In Wood Products |
| |
| Effects of Moisture in Wood |
- Any solid wood product will expand
over time as moisture and climate conditions change.
- Effects of moisture may include
the following: Panel expansion, joint expansion
or opening (especially on miter doors), stile bowing,
panel contraction which may result in "white
line" if finished, and stile/rail expansion.
|
| |
| Southern or Humid Climates |
- Southern or humid climates are especially
susceptible to expansion due to moisture. Such locations
include waterfront properties, coastal regions,
and the Gulf coast, particularly Florida.
- Marine applications, such as on
boats or yachts are considered high humidity regardless
of any resident climate control systems.
- Non-air conditioned homes, regardless
of location, are very susceptible to expansion due
to moisture.
- Winter and vacation homes should
maintain some form of climate control, even in off
season.
|
|
| |
| Tips For Avoiding Moisture Related Problems |
- Certain species, primarily Hard
Maple, have a tendency to expand more than others.
For details on how much certain species may be affected
by moisture, reference the chart below.
- If you experience expansion in your
doors prior to installation on the cabinet box,
they will usually return to normal once the kitchen
has been installed in an air conditioned environment.
|
|
|
Potential Wood Movement Chart |
| |
| Species |
Width
in
inches at
5% humidity |
Width
in
inches at
14% humidity |
Wood movement
in inches caused by
9% swing in moisture |
| Red
Oak |
12 |
12.29 |
0.29 |
| Hard
Maple |
12 |
12.27 |
0.27 |
| Soft
Maple |
12 |
12.27 |
0.27 |
| Cherry |
12 |
12.23 |
0.23 |
| Hickory |
12 |
12.29 |
0.29 |
|
|
|
- The above chart indicates how much a 12"
wide panel can move in size depending on moisture. For
instance, if a Red Oak cabinet door with a 12" wide
panel is at 5% moisture, the panel could expand by more
than 1/4".
- In reading the above chart, it is evident
that some species such as Maples, Hickory, and Oaks (primarily
White Oak) can move significantly.
- Generally speaking, Merillat manufactures
its products at a moisture content level between 6-8%,
depending on the season.
|
|
Bibliography |
- ANSI / HPVA HP-1-1994 American
National Standard For Hardwood and Decorative Plywood.
- Guide To Wood Species Architectural
Woodworking Institute Arlington, Virginia
- Rules for the Measurement and
Inspection of Hardwood and Cypress. Memphis,
TN: National Hardwood Lumber Association, 1994.
- Woodcraft Industries Inc., Wood
Characteristics: A Guide to the Cabinet and Furniture
Industries. 1983
- Textbook of Wood Technology,
Panshin and De Zeeuw, McGraw-Hill Series in Forest
Resources.
- Wood As an Engineering Material.
Washington, D.C.: U.S.D.A., 1974. Revised 1979.
Wood Handbook
- Woodworking Technology, Hammond,
Honnelly, Harrod, Rayner. McKnight & McKnight Bloomington,
Illinois.
|
|
|
