Wood Care for Monsoon

Come rains and one needs to take extra special care of wooden furniture and products. Even though the monsoon is a season that we all look forward to, it does not bode well for wood and wood composites. Controlling moisture of utmost importance when it comes to wood as high moisture levels result in swelling of wood while low moisture levels result in split or cracked wood.

With respect to wood composites such as particle board or MDF products, their cross-sections or edges tend to attract moisture very easily. The side elevations/edges or exposed cross grains need to be covered. If the finish constitutes organic polish, one can seal the edges with oil. Alternatively for products without an organic finish, using lacquer and sealants to coat the product against moisture is an effective measure. In addition to lacquer, one should also use other protective coatings so that the moisture does not stand stationary on the product. MDF and other wood composites should be kept as far away from moisture as possible. At times, during monsoon, drawers and doors tend to get stuck – this is due to moisture, keeping drawers and kitchen cabinets well lubricated reduces the friction caused by the swelling of the wood. Ideally, the above measures should be taken before the onset of monsoon and serve as precautions. Ensuring that wood and wood composites are not exposed to the weather, and kept indoors, is the most basic precaution that one can take in this season.

Wooden products should not be in a wet or humid area. There is a misleading notion that sunlight is good for wooden furniture. In actuality, the combination of moisture and direct sunlight to one’s wooden products is not so good. Direct sunlight can turn light wood darker and tends to bleach dark wood. On the other hand, moisture plus a breeze takes the humidity out of the room/space and keeps one’s furniture maintained. Air movement dries the wood which is why a cross ventilated room with open windows is a good idea when it comes to ensuring proper care of wooden furniture. One should keep wardrobes and cupboards atleast six inches away from the walls since they tend to get damp. Placing camphor, naphthalene balls or neem leaves in the wardrobe keeps insects away.

High humidity can cause the growth of mould on wood; one can use a humidifier in the house so as to maintain the level of humidity. Depending on the species of the wood, certain products such as photo frames made out of sheesham or other small wood products tend to get deformations due to the increase in moisture content. If one can notice cracks or if the product feels a little heavier than usual or if the finish looks and feels a bit dull; it is advised to wrap these products and keep them in storage for about 2 odd months. When it comes to dusting of furniture, instead of using a damp cloth, one should use a soft cloth and feather.

There are three primary considerations when it comes to wood care for monsoon: Sealing, Ventilation and Covering. Another important aspect that should be mentioned is that it makes sense not to carry out any kind of renovations during this season.

Solid Wood, Particle Board, Plywood, MDF, Veneer....What does it mean? Should I really Care??

Ever go to a furniture store and have the salesperson tell you, "This table is made from solid wood!" or "You can also opt for a veneer table top, maybe MDF cabinets?" To a layman, wood is WOOD! One nods and smiles and chooses the preferred furniture piece in the end. Here are a few basics as to exactly what these terms mean:

Timber can be classified in hardwood and softwood, though when it comes to furniture, hardwoods are the most preferred, specifically due to the strength, density and thus durability.

Since wood is an expensive material, solid wood products tend to cost more than their counterparts. Wood, with its natural warmth, give's ones home an up-market feel and is definitely a lifestyle product.

As the price of timber increased, in-expensive and more affordable options came into play. These options, though look good at first sight, do not last and are nothing compared to solid wood.

Getting back to the point:

Particle Board:

• As the name suggests, it is a type of manufactured board made from wood chips or 'particles' that are glued together, compressed under heat in the shape of a large board and then sold.
• Mostly found in large pieces of furniture like table tops, desks, etc. since it saves costs as opposed to gluing two pieces of solid wood together to achieve the same size.

Plywood:

• Manufactured board made from layers of solid wood veneer, which is usually around 3mm thick.
• The layers inside are usually made from cheaper wood while the outer veneer layers are made from expensive timber, thus giving the board a nice wood-grain appearance.
• Mostly seen in school furniture - desks, tables, panelling.

MDF or Medium Density Fibreboard:

• Similar to particle board. The major difference being that particle board is made out of larger wood chips whereas MDF is made out of very very fine wood dust. 
• Mainly used in cabinet making and is usually covered with a laminate and sealant. This increases its visual beauty while also preventing the fibres from getting loose and flying around in the air.

Veneer:

• Very thin wood, that is approximately 3mm or even less.
• Used to cover particle board or MDF. Also used in plywood to make one's furniture look good and appear high quality.

These are some of the alternatives to using solid wood. Each has its own benefits and dis-advantages. More on that coming soon......