Everything you need to know about cracks in wood: causes, maintenance and repair

Wood is a living material
Wood is known for its natural charm and unique appearance. It is a living material that reacts to its environment, which makes it so popular and versatile. At the same time, this also presents challenges, such as cracking. In this blog, we explain why wood cracks, how you can prevent this with proper maintenance, and how you can repair cracks.

Why does wood crack?

Wood reacts to changes in humidity and temperature. In countries where suar and teak wood originate, such as Southeast Asia, the humidity is much higher than in Belgium. When wood ends up in a drier environment, it loses moisture, which can lead to shrinkage and cracking. This is a natural process that is part of real wood and emphasises the authenticity of the material.

This effect is sometimes more pronounced with our wooden posts because the bases are literally tree trunk discs. Due to their thickness, it takes no less than three years for them to dry naturally. As a result, factors such as very dry air, underfloor heating and low humidity can cause cracks up to 2 cm wide. This is part of the nature of wood and cannot be completely prevented.

To prevent any stability issues caused by these changes, all posts are equipped with four adjustable feet. These can be easily adjusted to restore the post’s stability, even if the structure of the wood changes.

How can you prevent cracks?

With proper maintenance, you can significantly reduce the risk of cracking:

• Indoor use (suar wood): Treat the wood regularly with worktop oil. This oil nourishes the wood, prevents drying out and also makes it easier to clean. Treatment every 6–12 months is usually sufficient.
• Outdoor use (teak wood): Use a teak oil or outdoor stain to protect the wood from weather influences such as UV radiation and moisture. Apply the oil or stain every 6 months, especially before and after extreme seasons.

How do you repair cracks in wood?

If cracks do occur, they can be easily repaired by following these steps:

1. Preparation: Clean the crack so that the wood filler adheres properly.
   
2. Filling with wood filler: For shallow cracks, you can apply the filler in one go. For deep cracks, apply the filler in thin layers, allowing sufficient drying time between layers.
3. Allow to dry: Ensure that the last coat is completely dry before continuing.
4. Sanding: Use 180–240 grit sandpaper to smooth the repair. Always work with the grain of the wood.
5. Finishing: Optionally, you can apply a protective oil or varnish to protect the wood and make the repair blend in seamlessly.

Thanks to the adjustable feet attached to each post, you can easily correct any instability caused by cracks. Adjust these to ensure the post is stable again.

Finally: accept the natural charm

Although you can minimise and repair cracks, they are part of the charm of real wood. Every crack tells a story and emphasises the unique characteristics of the material.

Do you have any questions or would you like advice on maintenance, levelling feet or repairs? Please do not hesitate to contact us!