How Relative Humidity Affects Wood Moisture Content | Shop Talk

Описание: When you’re storing lumber, you need to make sure that the storage area’s humidity level will not interfere with the equilibrium moisture content of wood (EMC). If the room storing the wood is too humid or too dry, the wood moisture levels will be altered beyond the acceptable range. This can tamper with hardwood floorings, joinery, etc.

Before wood is sold, it typically will go through a drying process at the sawmill, whether by kiln drying or air drying. When a piece of wood goes through this process, the moisture level is decreased in order to avoid warping, swelling, and rotting. When the moisture readings are within the acceptable moisture levels range, the wood is ready to be sold. This range differs for different wood species.

However, if the wood isn’t sealed, the moisture content of the wood can still change. The amount of moisture in the wood is dependent on the relative humidity of its environment. The more humid the environment is, the more moisture the wood will absorb in order to reach the equilibrium moisture content. If the wood is in dry conditions, the moisture in the wood will decrease.

You need to keep the wood at the same moisture content as when you received it until you are ready to seal it. Changing moisture levels will result in visible changes in the wood itself. For example, with dry wood, you will observe shrinkage as the excess moisture leaves the piece of lumber. If the moisture content of the wood changes before you are ready to use it, you will have issues with your moisture measurements, the weight of the wood will have changed, and you will have to dry it once again.

If you live in an area that is typically very humid, consider purchasing a dehumidifier for your storage area, or a humidifier if you live in a dryer climate. The surrounding air where you store your wood products will have a major impact on the quality of the wood, and it cannot be neglected. You can purchase a wood moisture meter to check on the moisture levels as well.

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