When looking for timber or veneer furnishings to complement your lifestyle and taste, it’s important to consider the natural properties of timber. Understanding these properties will assist you to maintain your timber product in perfect condition.
Caring for your timber or veneer furniture
Timber is a living product and contains moisture, which contracts or expands in response to large temperature variations. Timber can shrink, crack or fade in sunlight. It can also shrink or crack in conditions of inadequate ventilation or extremes of temperature. A home which has been locked up for a period of time, such as when the owners are away on holiday, can become extremely warm in the New Zealand climate and can cause shrinkage or cracking in your timber product.
Most problems can be avoided by:
- Ensuring adequate ventilation around the furniture
- Avoiding sunlight on the furniture
- Ensuring no extremes of temperature over a short period of time.
For example, if the furniture is being delivered on a cold, wet day, it may be wise to “rest” it in a garage or cooler area of the home before placing it into a warm dining room or bedroom. This allows the timber’s moisture level to regulate itself to the prevalent conditions, avoiding cracking.
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