Is it possible to prevent movement in oak?

What if there is both an internal and external face?

When faced with designs requiring both internal and external faces, careful consideration is essential. Factors such as interior humidity levels, exposure to the elements, and property characteristics all influence the choice between Air Dried and Kiln Dried oak.

Ask yourself questions about the property: How dry is the interior likely to be? How constantly/well heated is it? For example, a well-insulated, efficiently heated house will likely have a low humidity level and the timber must be well suited to this (Kiln Dried), whereas for an old church or outbuilding that is well ventilated, the humidity level is likely to be closer to an outdoor environment, so Air Dried will be better suited.

You must equally think about the outside face: How exposed are the outside faces to the elements? Is the property particularly subject to heavy or changing weather? If so, Air Dried is likely to react less than Kiln Dried, being at a natural moisture content to the outdoors.

By assessing these factors, you can make informed decisions to optimise durability and performance of oak in your scheme, without compromising on its timeless aesthetic appeal.

Why should oak be left to acclimatise?

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.

Do different cuts of oak affect it’s stability?

Typically, European oak logs are sawn as through & though boules.  This creates 3 cuts of oak: Quarter Sawn, Rift Sawn or Crown/Plain Sawn. Each type of cut results in a unique look and directly affects the dimensional stability of the board.

Growth rings in Crown Sawn oak are generally about 30° or less to the face of the board; as the tangential grain is less dimensionally stable than other cuts, it has the tendency to cup more easily.

Rift Sawn Oak has a straight grain pattern where the growth rings intersect the face of the board at a 30-60° angle, producing a stable section of timber and very clean looking piece of oak, with little character.

With Quarter Sawn boards, the oak is cut perpendicular to the log’s growth rings, making it very stable and durable with the least likelihood of movement.  This cut also displays the medullary ray, a very impressive visual feature of oak.

Ready to explore the possibilities of oak in your next project? Reach out to us today to discover how this versatile material can elevate your architectural designs.