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https://www.askthetrades.co.uk/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl DIY Forum >> Carpentry Questions >> Warping of planked doors https://www.askthetrades.co.uk/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl?num=1113060169 Message started by CWatters on Apr 9^th, 2005, 4:22pm

Title: Warping of planked doors
Post by CWatters on Apr 9^th, 2005, 4:22pm

I would like to specify traditional oak planked doors in my new build. However I've just been shown around another house and their similar doors have warped horribly. Some movement is to be expected but this was excessive...

What precautions should I take when specifying/ordering to avoid this problem?

Are there any standard words to use?

Would it be better to specify the doors be framed and braced rather than just ledges & braces?

Quality of oak?

Moisture content?

Factory finishing?

Thanks,

Colin

Title: Re: Warping of planked doors
Post by Dewy on Apr 9^th, 2005, 6:35pm

The oak they are made from should be well seasoned.
All timber moves a lot during its seasoning (drying time) so the longer it is left the more likely it is for the moisture content and internal stresses to have settled down.
The time left 'in stick' (air drying) adds considerably to the cost of all timber.

Title: Re: Warping of planked doors
Post by dirtydeeds on Apr 9^th, 2005, 9:17pm

it occours to me that the oak for the doors may have been seasoned BUT not dried to suit the moisture content of the house in which they were installed.

i saw what happend to old doors when central heating was installed into a house (300 years old) . the doors warped badly, reason being the doors were aclimitised to the house but when the central heating was installed the wood started to dry out to the reduced moisture content caused by the central heating, so they warped

i know this isnt a direct answer to your question

Title: Re: Warping of planked doors
Post by WOLF on Apr 9^th, 2005, 10:19pm

1) quality of the oak,
2) leave to aclimatise for at least 3 months if poss
3) do not alpply any finish until (item ") has been accomplished!!
4) don't let your partner/wife/what ever you call them(sorry about that one).. turn up the central heating to topical settings coz they are cold, tell them to put on a cardy/jumper/top what ever 18-21 deg is perfect!!!!

8) :-/

Title: Re: Warping of planked doors
Post by WOLF on Apr 9^th, 2005, 10:20pm

sorry that should be item 2 in the parnethasis for item number 3... follow me!!

Title: Re: Warping of planked doors
Post by CWatters on Apr 10^th, 2005, 7:05pm

Ok, I think I get the idea. Much the same care as you need to take with oak floors.

Title: Re: Warping of planked doors
Post by splinter on Apr 11^th, 2005, 4:54pm

TRy seasoning the oak for10 to20 years ;D

Title: Re: Warping of planked doors
Post by WOLF on Apr 11^th, 2005, 10:16pm

'ear SPLINTER, that's to QUICK!!!!!LOL ;D ;D ;D ;D

Title: Re: Warping of planked doors
Post by dirtydeeds on Apr 17^th, 2005, 12:44am

more like try seasoned oak THEN put it in a centrally heated house to dry it out.

seasoning gets rid of a lot of moisture but central heating dries out wood,

in this case it might be better to use seasoned wood then kiln dry it before working

i know it may seen strange but the reason for the comment is that cabinet makers have been known to measure temerature and humidity in the location where the piece is to be installed and alter their workshops to suit

Title: Re: Warping of planked doors
Post by big_all on Apr 17^th, 2005, 1:17am

yep agreed D D you should always match the average ambient temprature of the area the wood will live and of course the moisture content should be matched if poss as wood moves with different moisture contents

thats why out door timber should be stored out doors[unless its going to be used in doors]and aclimitised with the area its going to be used in to ballance the the moisture content of the wood
now this might seem trivial but the wood once stable in the enviroment it is to live in will virtualy stop moving as its settled so you will get virtualy no movement off the wood when settled