Cracks in wood: why it happens and what you can do about it
You see it and are shocked: a crack in your wooden cat scratching post. Sometimes one, sometimes several. Sometimes wide enough to put your finger in. It feels like a defect, but it’s not that. Here we explain what’s really going on and what you can do about it.
Why does solid wood crack?
Solid wood reacts to its environment. Always. That applies to a €3,000 dining table, a parquet floor, and our scratching posts. Price or weight play no role in that.
The wood we use — oak and teak — comes from Southeast Asia, where the humidity is much higher than in a Belgian home. Once inside, especially with the heating on, the wood loses moisture. It shrinks slightly, and that manifests itself in cracks.
At our feet, tree trunks that are up to 10 to 15 cm thick have a stronger effect than thinner wood. Such a thick log takes 3 years in nature to completely dry. In a dry living room, this process goes faster, and then a crack of 1 to 2 cm wide can be quite normal.
That is not a production defect. It is wood that behaves as wood behaves.
Does moving have something to do with it?
No. Cracks form due to humidity and temperature, not due to movement. A pole that has never been moved can crack just as easily as one that has been moved several times.
When should I worry?
With aesthetic cracks — also wide ones — you don’t have to worry about stability. All the poles are on four sets of feet that can easily be adjusted if the pole gets slightly crooked due to wood movement.
Still unsure? Send us a photo. Jurgen will look at it and give you an honest answer.
What can you do yourself?
Cracks can be aesthetically repaired with wood paste. We work with the brand Frencken, Available for sale in most home improvement stores.
Here's how to do it:
- Clean up the crack.
- Apply the pasta wet to the crack.
- Scrub it off immediately while the paste is still wet — this blends the color into the wood.
- Let dry and repeat for deep cracks.
Result: The crack is hardly visible anymore.
Would you rather we do it?
No problem. We offer a free refill service at our production hall in Westerlo. You simply make an appointment; Jurgen fills the cracks and smooths them out. No costs, no hassle.
📍 Lossing 7, 2260 Westerlo — by appointment only info@catznwood.be
How can you prevent cracks in the future?
It is not possible to completely prevent it. But you can reduce the risk:
- Suar wood (Inside): Treat the wood every 6 to 12 months with worktop oil. This nourishes the wood and slows down drying out.
- Teak wood (indoor and outdoor): use teak oil or outdoor paint, especially before and after winter.
- Avoid placing it directly next to a radiator or underfloor heating.
- An air humidifier in a dry room also helps.
Does this fall under warranty?
No. Cracks caused by wood movement due to drought or temperature changes are not covered by warranty. This is also stated in our terms and conditions. Not because we want to make it easy to dismiss this, but because it is a material characteristic that no one — no manufacturer, worldwide — can exclude from solid wood.
For more information, see our FAQ page.
Do you have any questions or would you like to make an appointment for the free refill service? Send us a message via info@catznwood.be — we are happy to help you.
Sandy & Jurgen / Catz’n Wood