Moisture Content and Wood Movement

Moisture content and wood movement and cause potential problems to your staircases. It is best to understand these so that such problems can be avoided. We at iStairs, your trusted Sacramento stairs provider, want you to gain more knowledge about your stairs so read on to learn more about moisture content and wood movement.

Moisture Content of Wood

The moisture content of wood is directly affected by the relative humidity of the air around it. Because of this, the higher the relative humidity of the surrounding air, the higher the moisture content of the wood as well.

It is really important to understand the relationship between relative humidity and moisture content because if you buy and use wood that comes from a place with relative humidity that is not the same as where the wood would be used, then the wood may shrink or expand, depending on the new relative humidity. The wood will eventually synchronize with the new relative humidity and when this happens, the wood will have its equilibrium moisture content.

By now you would know that if the wood is on the equilibrium moisture content, it will not shrink or expand anymore, or if it still does, it would do so only by an insignificant amount.

Wood Movement

Wood movement is the shrinking or expanding of wood caused by moisture content, which, in turn, is affected by the relative humidity of the surrounding air. Wood will surely move until it reaches the point where the moisture content is equal to the relative humidity. Again, when the moisture content has reached the same amount as the relative humidity, it is called the equilibrium moisture content.

This is the point where the wood will not move; thus, the best time to use the wood for your project.

Effects of Wood Movement

When your wood expands or shrinks, then it can cause a lot of trouble. If the moisture content of your wood is very high when you use it and that the relative humidity is low, then the wood would shrink a lot. When wood shrinks, it may cause gaps and cracks. For stairs, it may make your steps rickety.

On the other hand, if the wood is too dry, and the place where it would be installed is quite humid, then the wood may expand. When the wood expand, then the paint or varnish may crack because it was not designed for the expanded size.

How to combat Wood Movement

Be aware that wood movement cannot be stopped. But you can predict it. With the use of a moisture meter, you can check what the current moisture of the wood is when you get it. When you know that it is not proportionate to the relative humidity of the place where it will be installed, then you can expect it to move.

Professional help for Wood Movement

Being your trusted Sacramento stairs company, iStairs does not take wood movement for granted. We consider it on all of our projects. We want your stairs to be perfect on all angles – inside and out. You make sure that your stairs stay as they are when we finish. Your wooden stairs will not shrink nor expand. It will stay beautifully as it is.

For more information on moisture content and wood movement, just contact us and we can help you. Again, iStairs is your best choice for a Sacramento stairs provider so look no more, call us now!