Woodworking Guide to Wood Expansion and Shrinkage

Craft designs that take into account wood expansion and shrinkage due to fluctuations in humidity and temperature.

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by AdobeStock/chokniti

Use this woodworking guide to craft designs that take into account wood expansion and shrinkage due to fluctuations in humidity and temperature.

One challenge all woodworkers face is dealing with wood’s predisposition to shrink and expand in response to changes in humidity and temperature. This may eventually result in cracks, gaps, and weak joints. Here are some tips for meeting the challenge of wood expansion and wood shrinkage.

Q: Why is it so necessary to use dry wood?

A: Wood shrinks and changes shape as it dries. You want the bulk of that shrinkage and change of shape to occur before you start working with it. Freshly cut wood is also extremely heavy — in some species, over twice as heavy as when it’s dry. Plus, wet wood is more susceptible to decay and rot. That said, there’s an entire field of woodworking called “green woodworking” that focuses on building furniture and other items with wet or unseasoned wood. This furniture is often “rustic” in nature.

  • Updated on Sep 26, 2023
  • Originally Published on Jul 16, 2012
Tagged with: diy, Spike Carlsen, tools, woodworking, woodworking project
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