Living With Solid Wood: Summer vs. Winter

Wood expands across the grain when humidity rises in the summer, and contracts in the dry winter air. This is not a defect—it is the natural behavior of organic material.

To prevent warping, avoid placing solid wood tables directly over HVAC registers or in the direct path of drafty air conditioners. A stable indoor humidity between 35% and 55% is ideal.

If a joint feels slightly tight or loose as the season shifts, give it a few weeks to adjust. Solid wood moves slowly, adapting to its environment, which is why we build movement allowance into all our tabletop mountings.