There are 3 critical operations in the manufacture of wooden kitchen cabinet doors:
- Molder Precision
- Rail length and style cutting accuracy
- Consistency in material removal during the machining operation of the outer edge.
If all three critical operations are met, the doors will have a tolerance of 5 thousandths of an inch. (Worst case tolerance is 15 thousandths or 1/64 of an inch.)
Without a lot of attention, consistency in the size of the finished door is almost impossible. When molding cabinet door material, the width of this material is the most critical factor when sizing 5-piece kitchen cabinet doors. If the molded width of the style stays within the 5 mil tolerance, all other standardized features can continue to be standardized.
Sizing is more critical when building replacement doors for frameless cabinets due to the fact that the tolerance is much tighter on framed cabinet doors.
I think we are all aware of the simple fact that all cabinet doors react to changes in humidity by absorbing or giving off moisture. Are you also aware of the fact that unfinished doors react faster to changes in humidity?
Our exterior buildings are built with treated wood to avoid these humidity problems. Too bad we can’t use treated wood in the making of our kitchen cabinets!
Due to the tight fit of the doors, when the doors are fitted tight, you can almost guarantee that moisture will not affect your cabinet doors or in some cases warp these doors by more than 1/64 of an inch. When this number is only 1/64th of an inch, that doesn’t count for much, and in most cases, unless you have something to measure it with or are looking carefully (with a magnifying glass), you won’t even see it.
However, with proper care, your kitchen cabinets will provide a useful and satisfying life. Proper care implies a wood-friendly environment: controlled temperature and humidity with minimal changes from day to day and season to season, which will ensure your comfort and temperature and humidity will also ensure the stability and shelf life of your wooden cabinets.
But you should always keep in mind that continual splashing from a sink or flood will damage your wood cabinets.
Steam can also cause problems of the same type, whether from stoves or dishwashers.
You probably know how to clean moisture from your wood cabinets to minimize damage. Sometimes, however, if excess moisture is not wiped off right away and the wood has a chance to absorb moisture, an effort should be made to dry the wood right away. Try to use fans and dehumidifiers with moisture-wicking fabrics and compounds. Keep in mind that prompt attention reduces the amount of damage and will reduce the chances of mold and mildew.
Whether or not the writer likes the following statement, he should be aware that finishes and other coatings (laminate or aluminum foil) retard moisture transfer. It never stops completely. Solid wood will change dimensionally more along the grain than with the grain; however, keep in mind that plywood, particleboard, and fiberboard are more dimensionally stable.
I’m sure we’ve all experienced particleboard and fiberboard that, when directly exposed to water, expand in thickness rapidly and dramatically, which in more severe cases can cause the finish in the joints to crack. Sometimes this is much more apparent in light colored paint than in stains or dark paints. (I can’t explain the reason for this).
Crackling caused by moisture is universal and is characteristic of products made from wood and is not a reason for replacement. Generally, after having a moisture problem, if the moisture level returns to a normal level and is maintained for a period of time, these problems will go away. The best humidity level is between 35% and 50%. Conditions below 20% or above 80% humidity should be avoided.
On the other hand, dry conditions can cause wood parts to split and/or crack solid wood components. Panels inserted into panel doors will shrink and the panel edges will be exposed, causing raw panels at the exposed edges of the raw panel to not match the finished surface of the rest of the panel and door. Again, this is not a reason for replacement, but rather an indication that moisture levels are too low and need to be remedied.
Apart from all this, temperature increases the percentage that causes materials to expand and also decreases materials to contract or shrink. Sudden changes in temperature cause more drastic changes and are more likely to cause cracks and splits in solid wood. It is also more likely to cause warping, cupping, and bowing in any wood component. So what temperature should you keep for the sake of your wood cabinets?
What question! I generally use the rule of thumb that whatever temperature is comfortable for me is the temperature that may be most beneficial for my wood cabinets, but if you’re still unsure, follow these guidelines:
- Use dehumidifiers and/or air conditioning to control excess moisture.
- Use a humidifier to keep the air from getting too dry in the winter.
- Maintain your normal temperature control during the holidays to reduce the risk of damage.
- Before you install your new wood cabinet, acclimate the cabinet by moving it to the room it will be in when it is installed. This must be done at least 48 hours before installation. If this doesn’t work for you, place them in another area that is basically the same temperature.
Last but not least, temperature and humidity are also affected by: adequate exterior drainage, adequate insulation, properly installed vapor barriers, and adequate and appropriate ventilation and air exchange.