Found a stat about wood shrinkage that made me check every door I've hung

I was reading through an old issue of Fine Woodworking from 2019 I found at a used bookstore. There was a chart showing that red oak can shrink nearly 8% from green to kiln-dried across the grain. That got me thinking about the three interior doors I hung last month in a new build over in Maplewood. I went back this morning to check and two of them have already started binding at the top where I left too little gap. Has anyone else dealt with seasonal movement messing with their fitments this badly?

2 comments

2 Comments

margaret_bennett31mo ago

That 8% shrinkage stat hits hard, doesn't it? It's funny how learning one tiny detail about wood can suddenly make you see bad gaps and sticky doors everywhere you go.

wren_smith441mo ago

Oh man, you are so right about that. I had the exact same thing happen after I learned about wood movement. I started noticing every single door that sticks in the summer and every ugly gap in the winter. It's like a curse now, I can't unsee it. @margaret_bennett3 you nailed it with that 8% stat, it really does explain so many annoying problems around the house. I was at a friend's place last week and I couldn't help but point out why her cabinet doors are all crooked now. It's a little embarrassing honestly, but I just can't help it anymore.