Why is wood moisture content so important?

Wood is a hygroscopic material, which means that it tends to absorb and release moisture until it is in balance with the environment. Thus, under normal conditions, the moisture content of wood is largely determined by its environment: a warm, dry environment tends to make the wood drier, but a cool, damp environment moistens the wood.

When choosing solid wood products, great attention should be paid to the moisture content of the wood, as this will significantly affect the quality of finishing materials. For example, if solid wood finishes are too dry at the time of installation, they will absorb moisture, which in turn can cause the wood to "swell", not glue and can cause fungus and mold. Otherwise, when the air is too dry, but the wood is damp, it can shrink, decompose and crack.

When choosing finishing materials for interiors, the company's employees recommend choosing solid wood products with wood moisture content of 8-12%, because the room has a more constant temperature and drier air. On the other hand, when choosing finishing materials for outdoor conditions, the recommended wood humidity is 18-20%, because in outdoor conditions there are greater temperature fluctuations and finishing materials are subject to different precipitation.

Although undried timber is significantly cheaper, Latsketch Ltd does not work with such wood, as it is subject to various deformations during operation, there is a high probability that fungi or mold will form on it, as well as it is more difficult to process mechanically.

Adequate humidity must be ensured, for example, so that no cracks appear in the floors and the facades do not rot, deform or become a home for pests. The company's representatives emphasize that by choosing the right wood moisture for the right situation, the customer noticeably prolongs the service life of finishing materials and furniture, as well as ensures that they visually look as planned.