If you are thinking about, or have just purchased wood cabinetry, you’ll need to know how controlled indoor humidity will keep your cabinets looking their absolute best all throughout the year!
A range of 30-55% humidity is important when outdoor temperatures range between 50 - 85 degrees. This keeps your home comfortable and problem-free, with wood cabinetry looking and performing at its best. Uncontrolled humidity extremes will likely cause problems within the home, particularly with cabinetry and wood furniture pieces. Keep tabs on humidity levels with a digital hygrometer, available at many local retailers. Indoor digital thermometers, often have a humidity gauge as well.
Prevent Damage
Steps to balance humidity levels in your home.
- Run heating, cooling and humidification systems consistently to maintain balance within the home.
- Make sure outside drainage is routed away from the home, and that vapor barriers are properly installed.
- Proper insulation is key. Check with local contractors, HVAC specialists or the county extension service for more information on how to achieve balance between moisture levels and ventilation to achieve proper humidity levels in all seasons.
Should I be concerned during installation
- MasterBrand recommends that our products be stored and installed in a temperate atmosphere, where the humidity level and temperature are controlled.
- Allow cabinetry to acclimate to its new environment for a few days prior to installation. This will minimize the degree that doors might swell or shrink, allowing them to return to original dimensions once they have acclimated.
- Some remodeling or construction sites add to humidity levels when taping drywall, pouring concrete, etc. These tasks must be completed prior to installation.
Keep in Mind
Important details to note!
- Run heating, cooling and humidification systems consistently to maintain balance within the home.
- Make sure outside drainage is routed away from the home, and that vapor barriers are properly installed.
- Proper insulation is key. Check with local contractors, HVAC specialists or the county extension service for more information on how to achieve balance between moisture levels and ventilation to achieve proper humidity levels in all seasons.
Some expansion or contraction of wood products can occur and become noticeable when cabinetry is moved from place to place or when weather conditions change, causing humidity to fluctuate. In fact, most changes in wood appearance result from improper humidity conditions during site storage, installation or actual use of the cabinetry.
Effects of Humidity
What happens when temperature and humidity levels are extreme? Coastal or other areas that are known for high humidity may see 70%-80% humidity levels within the home, causing cabinet joints to swell. Geographical areas that have extremely cold, dry winters, may often have a relative humidity below 20% for weeks at a time, causing shrinkage of doors and/or center panels to occur. Examples of humidity imbalance include: swollen doors or drawer fronts and butt doors that do not close properly. Door and drawer front panel contraction or expansion, joint separation — especially in mitered doors — and the bowing of stiles and rails of the cabinet door or drawer fronts can also occur.
- Adjusting door hinges may help swollen or contracted doors for a better appearance until acclimation occurs.
These reactions are NORMAL, and are not a fault of the cabinetry. Open or closed joints will be more prominent on painted cabinetry. New cabinets are meant to last for years to come. Now that you’re in the know about humidity and its effects, you’ll appreciate the nuances of beautiful, breathing wood!