How Does Winter Weather Affect Cabinet Doors?
Discover how winter weather affects cabinet doors, including cracks, splits, and humidity changes, plus tips on how to care for your doors.
Winter brings more than cold air and snow – it brings noticeable changes to your home, particularly your cabinet doors. If you’ve ever noticed that solid wood doors seem to behave differently during the colder months, you’re not alone. But why exactly does winter affect cabinet doors? What problems might you encounter? And how can you tell if these issues will resolve on their own, or if they are signs of a deeper problem?
At Cutting Edge, we’ve made high-quality cabinet doors for over 20 years. We’ve helped contractors, cabinet makers and homeowners across Canada navigate seasonal changes with confidence. With decades of experience, we know how to distinguish between natural and seasonal changes and underlying issues that require attention. This expertise allows us to provide actionable advice, so your cabinets remain a source of pride and not frustration.
In this article, you’ll learn:
- How winter weather changes humidity and affects your cabinet doors
- Why humidity has such a significant impact on solid wood
- Specific problems winter can cause, like cracks or splits and how to determine whether you need to take any action
- How to reduce the effect of winter weather
Read on to discover what to expect this winter and how to protect your cabinet doors effectively.
How Winter’s Low Humidity Impacts Solid Wood Cabinet Doors
When winter arrives, temperatures drop, and the air becomes drier. This happens because cooler air holds less moisture. In heated indoor spaces, this dryness is amplified as furnaces and heaters strip even more moisture from the air. Low humidity affects your home in many ways, including your cabinet doors.
The effects of this shift are especially pronounced on cabinet doors made of wood, which reacts to changes in its environment. Understanding why this happens requires delving into the natural properties of wood.
Why Does Humidity Affect Cabinet Doors?
Wood is hygroscopic; it absorbs and releases moisture depending on its surroundings. When the air is moist, wood absorbs water, expanding slightly. Conversely, dry air causes wood to release moisture, shrinking as it does.
For solid wood cabinet doors, these changes can lead to visible effects. In humid conditions, wood swells, making cabinet doors tighter in their frames. When a home is dry, the wood shrinks, leaving small gaps or cracks along the doors.
These shifts are normal but can lead to concerns when they result in visible changes. Let’s explore the specific ways winter weather might impact your cabinet doors.
Recognizing the Effects of Low Humidity on Your Cabinet Doors
While low humidity can affect other cabinet doors, you probably won’t notice these changes on anything other than solid wood cabinet doors or doors with wood frames. In addition, cosmetic changes are more noticeable on painted doors than on stained or lacquered doors. On the other hand, changes that signify a greater problem are equally visible on painted, stained or lacquered doors.
For each potential issue, you’ll discover:
- What the issue is and what it looks like
- How common each issue is
- Whether this issue is a potential problem
- What your next step is
Ready? Let’s dive in!
1. Splits in the Finish of the Centre Panel
You’ll see fine cracks or splits in the finish layer of the central panel. These may appear as thin lines and do not penetrate the wood itself. Underneath the split, you’ll see intact wood – or even an intact layer of paint or stain.
How common is this issue? Common on painted cabinet doors.
Is this a problem? No. A painted finish does not move, while the wood beneath shifts to accommodate humidity changes. This causes tension and eventually splits the finish.
Your Next Step
If you’re concerned about this change, consider purchasing a humidifier that will help bring the air moisture back up between 30-40%. Those splits should gradually close up when the wood regains some of its natural moisture. However, remember that wood constantly moves and shifts as the environment changes, meaning these splits may reappear over time.
2. Cracks in the Centre Panel
You’ll see large cracks running through the wood of the central panel. These can be deep and may disrupt the panel’s structural integrity.
How common is this issue? Very rare.
Is this a problem? Yes. Apart from detracting from the appearance of your kitchen, these cracks can also affect the stability of your door.
Your Next Step
Contact the company you purchased your cabinet doors from to discuss their warranty coverage.
3. Splits in the Finish Along Stile and Rail Joints
You’ll see small splits in the finish where stiles (vertical pieces) and rails (horizontal pieces) meet.
How common is this issue? Very common on painted doors.
Is this a problem? No. As wood moves, it can split the finish resting on top.
Your Next Step
If you’re concerned about this change, contact the company you purchased the cabinet doors from. However, keep in mind that this is a natural change wood cabinet doors undergo, and there is likely nothing you can do to fix or repair these splits. Even if you have a temporary solution, these splits will reappear over time as the wood shifts.
4. Cracks Along the Stile and Rail Joints
You’ll see visible cracks that run deep into the wood along the joints.
How common is this issue? Rare.
Is this a problem? Yes. Cracks at the stile and rail joint can affect the structural stability of your cabinet door.
Your Next Step
Contact the company you purchased your cabinet doors from to evaluate the severity. While these cracks may indicate extreme dryness, they can also indicate improper assembly or sealing.
5. Cracks Along the Stiles and Rails
You’ll see deep splits along the length of the frame’s vertical and horizontal pieces. These cracks cut through the finish and into the wood underneath.
How common is this issue? Rare.
Is this a problem? Yes. Depending on the location of the crack, it could affect the structural stability of your door.
Your Next Step
Contact the company you purchased your cabinet doors from to discuss their warranty coverage.
6. Unfinished Wood Around the Centre Panel
You’ll see a small, unfinished strip of wood visible around the edges of the centre panel.
How common is this issue? Fairly common on painted or spray stained doors with a solid wood centre panel.
Is this a problem? No. All cabinet door manufacturers design solid wood panels to float within their frames to accommodate seasonal expansion and contraction. This unfinished wood indicates that the panel has shrunk due to dryness.
Your Next Step
Consider installing a humidifier if you don’t already have one. Aim to keep the humidity in your kitchen between 30-40%.
7. Warping or Bowing
You’ll see cabinet doors start to pull away from the cabinet boxes or rub against other cabinet doors as you open and shut them.
How common is this issue? Rare as long as you keep humidity and temperature consistent in your kitchen.
Is this a problem? Typically, no. However, warped or bowed doors can be an inconvenience.
Your Next Step
If you want to try fixing this problem yourself, you can attempt to install additional hinges to hold the cabinet door straighter or install a humidifier to keep the air humidity between 30-40%. If you can’t correct the warp or are unsure of the best solution, contact the company you purchased your cabinet doors from for assistance.
How to Protect Your Cabinet Doors This Winter
Controlling your indoor environment is the best way to minimize these seasonal changes. Aim for:
- Humidity levels between 30-40%
- Temperatures between 60-80 degrees Fahrenheit or 15.5-26.5 degrees Celsius
Keeping your indoor environment consistent helps prevent the wood from moving, minimizing the risk of any changes you’ve just learned about. And, when in doubt, contact the company you purchased your cabinet doors from for assistance.
Cutting Edge’s Warranty May Cover These Issues
After reading this article, you’re better equipped to identify and address the effects of winter weather on your cabinet doors. Winter weather may be inevitable, but its effects on your cabinet doors don’t have to be. Most issues, like splits in the finish or unfinished wood exposure, are natural and temporary. However, deeper cracks or structural changes may require attention.
At Cutting Edge, we produce quality cabinet doors designed to endure seasonal shifts. If you purchased your cabinet doors from Cutting Edge and you’re wondering whether our warranty covers a problem, let us guide you. Discover how to tell if your cabinet door is covered under warranty.
