Here is what dry winter air does to a solid wood table and how to care for it.
Solid Wood and Edmonton Furnace Season: What Dry Winter Air Does to a Table
Every Edmonton winter, the furnace runs and the air dries out. Your table notices. Here is what that means, and why it is nothing to panic about.
The first cold week in Edmonton, the furnace kicks on, and within days your lips feel it, your hands feel it, and the house feels dry. Your solid wood table feels it too.
Wood is a natural material. It takes on moisture from the air and gives it back. That is not a flaw. It is the reason wood has lasted in homes for centuries. The question is not whether your table will respond to a dry Alberta winter. It will. The question is whether it was built for that.
What actually happens to wood in dry air
When the air inside your home gets drier, a solid wood tabletop releases a little moisture and shrinks slightly across the grain. In spring and summer, when the air is more humid, it takes moisture back and swells.
This is called wood movement. It is slow, small, and completely normal. A well built table plans for it from the very first cut.
Why a well built table handles it
Boards are chosen and arranged so that movement is spread out evenly instead of building up in one place. The base is attached in a way that lets the top move instead of fighting it. And the finish helps slow how fast moisture goes in and out.
A table that is screwed down tight with no room to move is the one that cracks. That is a build problem, not a wood problem.
Solid wood does not fail in winter. Poorly planned wood does.
What to do in your home this winter
You do not need to do much. A few small habits go a long way.
- Keep the table a safe distance from heat vents and baseboard heaters
- Use coasters and trivets, since dry wood is less forgiving of heat and moisture rings
- Wipe up spills quickly and dry the spot
- Skip silicone sprays and harsh cleaners
- A humidifier in the house helps the wood, and helps you too
If you notice a hairline gap between boards in January, that is usually seasonal. It tends to close when the air gets more humid again.
When to ask us a question
If you see a crack that runs across the grain, a joint that is lifting, or a finish that looks dull and dry, send us a photo. We would rather answer a small question than have you worry for a month.
Every piece we build in Edmonton is made for Edmonton homes, so we think about this before the first board is cut.
A solid wood table in this climate is not fragile. It just needs to be built by someone who knows where it is going to live.
If you are planning a new table, bring your questions about dryness, finish, and placement to the shop. We are happy to walk you through them.
Planning a table for an Edmonton home?
Book a free consultation to talk through wood, finish, and placement, or send us your idea for a quote.