I have just had some external french doors (made from kiln-dried scandinavian redwood) installed and I'm concerned by the amount of checking. Some of the cracks are all the way from top to bottom of the door although they don't go through to the other side (yet??). Is this reasonable? How much checking should be expected?
How much checking is reasonable in a softwood door
Jun 05, 2004
3 Replies
If the doors are exposed to the outside world then get them sealed and primed as quickly as you can before they soak up all the moisture in the air. Softwood is very susceptible to warping and cracking if not properly treated, so take time now to seal, prime and paint / stain them before you need to replace them again.
Get them replaced and if they go again get your money back. Scandinavian red pine is among the best joinery grade timber available. It looks good to and is an excellent presevative absorber.
It sounds like a batch got too dry in the kiln.
Hi,
The design of the door should allow for movement in the wood, it may be possible to stabilise the wood and close the cracks with PEG (poly ethylene glycol).
cheers, Pete.
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