There are 3 critical operations in the manufacture of wooden kitchen cabinet doors:

  1. mold precision
  2. Rail length and style cutting precision
  3. Consistency in the removal of material during the machining operation of the outer edge.

If the three critical operations are met, the doors will have a tolerance of 5 thousandths of an inch. (The worst case tolerance is 15 mils 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 remains 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 either absorbing or giving off moisture. Are you also aware of the fact that unfinished doors react earlier to changes in humidity?

Our exterior buildings are constructed of treated wood to prevent these moisture problems. Too bad we can’t use treated wood in the manufacture of our kitchen cabinets!

Due to the fit of the doors, when the doors are snug, you can almost guarantee that moisture will not affect your cabinet doors or, in some cases, warp your cabinet doors by more than 1/64 of an inch. When this number is only 1/64 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 satisfying and useful 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 life of your wood. your wooden cabinets.

But you should always keep in mind that continuous splashing from a sink or flood will damage your wood cabinets.

Steam can also cause problems of the same type, be it from stoves or dishwashers.

You probably know how to wipe moisture off your wood cabinets to minimize damage. However, sometimes if excess moisture is not wiped off immediately and the wood has a chance to absorb moisture, an effort must be made to dry the wood immediately. Try to use fans and dehumidifiers with moisture wicking fabrics and compounds. Keep in mind that immediate attention reduces the amount of damage and will reduce the chances of mold and mildew.

Whether or not the writer likes the following statement, they 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, particle board, and fiberboard are more dimensionally stable.

I’m sure we’ve all experienced particleboard and fiberboard which, when directly exposed to water, expands in thickness rapidly and dramatically, which in more severe cases can cause the finish at the joints to crack. Sometimes this is much more apparent in light colored paint than it is in stains or dark paints. (I can’t explain the reason for this).

Moisture creaking is universal and characteristic of products made of wood and is not a reason for replacement. Usually, after having a humidity problem, if the humidity level returns to a normal level and is maintained for a period of time, these problems will disappear. 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 panel edges will be exposed, causing raw panels where the exposed edges of the raw panel will not match the finished surface of the remainder 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 makes materials 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 at 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:

  1. Use dehumidifiers and/or air conditioning to control excess moisture.
  2. Use a humidifier to keep the air from getting too dry in the winter.
  3. Maintain your normal temperature control while on vacation to reduce the risk of damage.
  4. Before installing your new wood cabinet, acclimate the cabinet by moving it into the room it will be in when 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.

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