Acclimatisation of Oak
A crucial factor to ensure stability and longevity
23rd July 2024
Acclimatising oak before installation is crucial to ensuring its stability and longevity. When oak is transported from one environment to another – such as from our mill to a joiner's workshop, or directly to a construction site – it can encounter significant changes in temperature and humidity. These shifts can send the timber into trauma, and cause it to expand, contract, or warp if it is not given adequate time to adjust.
By allowing the wood to acclimatise to its new environment, the internal stresses caused by moisture content changes can be minimised, ensuring that the oak remains stable and in its intended form.
The importance of this acclimatisation process cannot be overstated. During the manufacturing process, oak passes through various stages where it may already be exposed to different environmental conditions.
However, once the timber leaves the controlled environment of the manufacturing facility, it is vulnerable to the conditions of the new location – whether it’s a drier, smaller workshop or a damp building site. These daily occurrences can lead to dramatic changes in the wood if not carefully managed.
Therefore, it's essential for both manufacturers and installers to be mindful of the oak's need to acclimatise, allowing it to settle down gradually and reducing the risk of movement after installation. This mindful approach ensures the oak's durability and the quality of the final installation.
