Seasonal Wood Movement Explained—Protecting Furniture Year-Round

“Why Is My Table Cracking?” A Winter Call We Hear Every Year

It usually starts around January. A client calls, a little worried.

“Hey… is it normal for this gap to show up in my tabletop?”

We ask a few questions. Then we smile—because we know the answer.

Yes. It’s normal. It’s wood movement. And it’s one of the most misunderstood, fascinating, and completely natural parts of owning real wood furniture.

At Shaking Quakie Woodworks, we build pieces designed to last for decades. But to really protect your furniture year-round, it helps to understand how wood breathes, flexes, and shifts with the seasons—and what you can (and should) do to keep it in top shape.

Let’s Start with the Basics: Wood Is Alive (Sort Of)

Even after it’s been cut, milled, and finished, wood is still a dynamic material. It expands and contracts with changes in humidity and temperature—just like it did when it was part of a living tree.

This process is called seasonal wood movement. It’s not a flaw—it’s a fact of nature.

Here’s how it works:

• In the summer, warm air holds more moisture. Wood absorbs that moisture and expands—often across the grain.
• In the winter, indoor air becomes dry from heating systems. Wood releases moisture and shrinks.

This expansion and contraction is most noticeable across the width of boards (not the length), which is why tabletops, doors, and wide drawer fronts are the most common areas to show change.

What Does Wood Movement Look Like?

Depending on the design and environment, movement can show up in several ways:

• Gaps between boards or panels in winter
• Tight joints or slight warping in summer
• Drawer faces shifting slightly from flush alignment
• Raised or sunken seams in wide table or countertop surfaces

If you’ve ever seen a solid wood dining table with tiny hairline cracks in January that magically disappear in July—you’ve seen this in action.

Real Story: The Expanding Table

One of our favorite client builds was a 10-foot black walnut dining table for a family in Boulder. In July, it fit their space beautifully. By January, the tabletop had shrunk by almost a quarter-inch across its width, revealing a subtle seam between two planks.

They were worried something had gone wrong. But in reality? It was doing exactly what it was designed to do.

We built in room for movement by using a floating tabletop panel, slotted screw holes, and expansion gaps—techniques that allow wood to shift safely without splitting or warping.

What Happens If You Don’t Plan for Movement?

Furniture that doesn’t account for seasonal change can suffer long-term damage:

• Cracks that run across the grain
• Splitting joints or glue failure
• Buckling panels that lift or cup
• Warped doors that no longer close properly

This is why mass-produced or “fast furniture” built from composite materials often avoids these issues—they’re engineered to stay static. But they also sacrifice the warmth, depth, and longevity of real hardwood.

Custom wood furniture? It’s the real deal. And like anything real, it changes with its environment.

How We Design Furniture That Moves (and Lasts)

At Shaking Quakie Woodworks, we embrace wood’s natural movement—and engineer every piece to work with it, not against it.

Here’s how we do it:

Floating Panels

In cabinet doors, drawer bottoms, and table tops, we use floating panel joinery. That means the wood is held in place but not glued edge-to-edge—so it can expand without stress.

Slotted Screws and Z-Clips

When securing tabletops or wide boards, we use slotted holes or flexible clips that let the wood move side-to-side while staying firmly attached to the base.

Breadboard Ends (Done Right)

Breadboard ends cap the end grain of wide tables and are built to flex with the tabletop while keeping it visually square. It’s old-school woodworking that still works wonders.

Proper Drying and Acclimation

We use kiln-dried wood, then let it acclimate in our shop before building. This ensures the moisture content is stable when we start—and less likely to cause surprises later.

Finish Selection

We choose finishes that breathe. Zero-VOC hardwax oils and penetrating finishes flex with the wood rather than trapping moisture or cracking as the wood moves.

What You Can Do at Home to Help

You don’t need to baby your furniture—but a little awareness goes a long way. Here are our top homeowner tips to minimize seasonal wood stress:

Maintain Indoor Humidity

Keep indoor humidity between 35–50% year-round. In winter, use a humidifier—especially in rooms with wood furniture or floors. Dry air is wood’s worst enemy.

Avoid Direct Heat

Keep wood furniture away from radiators, floor vents, and intense sunlight. Uneven heat = uneven drying = movement and cracking.

Clean with Care

Use a damp (not wet) cloth and avoid harsh chemical cleaners. Follow with a dry wipe to prevent moisture sitting on the surface.

Refresh Finishes as Needed

Oiled furniture can benefit from a once-a-year reapplication in dry climates. We offer touch-up kits or will walk you through the process step by step.

Understanding = Longevity

The truth is, seasonal wood movement is natural, predictable, and manageable—as long as your furniture was built with care and you know what to expect.

That gap in your tabletop in January? Totally normal. The snug drawer that suddenly glides easily in July? Also normal. If anything, these shifts are proof that your furniture is alive with character.

When you invest in real wood, you’re inviting nature into your home—and like any good guest, it moves around a little to get comfortable.

Final Word: Built to Flex, Built to Last

At Shaking Quakie Woodworks, we design and build furniture that respects the laws of nature. Every piece we make is engineered to expand, contract, and adapt through Colorado’s high-altitude seasons—and yours.

Because the best furniture doesn’t fight the environment—it flows with it.