ᐅ Has anyone experienced damage from high humidity with the KALLAX?
Created on: 27 Aug 2024 09:13
H
hardyki
Hello everyone,
I have a question that has been on my mind for a while, and I hope someone here has experience or can offer helpful advice:
Has anyone noticed damage to their IKEA KALLAX shelving unit due to high humidity levels in their home?
I bought the unit about a year ago, and it is located in my living room, which can sometimes get quite humid—especially in winter when I ventilate a lot and the outside air is very cold and damp. My concern is that moisture might penetrate the particleboard of the shelving unit and eventually cause warping, swelling, mold growth, or discoloration.
Maybe you can share your own experience regarding whether the wood or surface of the KALLAX modules reacts sensitively to moisture. Are there differences depending on the model or finish? And if you encountered any problems, how did you resolve or prevent them?
I look forward to your feedback!
I have a question that has been on my mind for a while, and I hope someone here has experience or can offer helpful advice:
Has anyone noticed damage to their IKEA KALLAX shelving unit due to high humidity levels in their home?
I bought the unit about a year ago, and it is located in my living room, which can sometimes get quite humid—especially in winter when I ventilate a lot and the outside air is very cold and damp. My concern is that moisture might penetrate the particleboard of the shelving unit and eventually cause warping, swelling, mold growth, or discoloration.
Maybe you can share your own experience regarding whether the wood or surface of the KALLAX modules reacts sensitively to moisture. Are there differences depending on the model or finish? And if you encountered any problems, how did you resolve or prevent them?
I look forward to your feedback!
Maria35 schrieb:
Treat the edges of the shelves with clear varnish or wood preservativeThis is an important tip. The edges are often neglected, even though they are the most vulnerable.
In addition, for rooms with high humidity, it is better to consider shelves made of solid wood or plastic, as these materials are less susceptible to damage.
If you still want to use the KALLAX, dehumidifiers are the best supplement to ventilation.
I had my KALLAX unit in the bathroom because it worked well as a bathroom shelf. Unfortunately, after a few months, I noticed swelling on the lower shelves.
Due to frequent showers, the humidity in the bathroom is quite high. Even though I ventilated after showering, it wasn’t always enough.
Does anyone have tips on how to better protect the wood from moisture without having to repaint the entire shelf?
What about tapping on laminate films or special protective coatings – does anyone have experience with these?
Due to frequent showers, the humidity in the bathroom is quite high. Even though I ventilated after showering, it wasn’t always enough.
Does anyone have tips on how to better protect the wood from moisture without having to repaint the entire shelf?
What about tapping on laminate films or special protective coatings – does anyone have experience with these?
GiRoyce schrieb:
Does anyone have tips for better protecting wood from moisture?If the shelf has a melamine coating, the surface is already fairly resistant. Additionally, you can cover the shelves with clear placemats or plastic mats to protect them from direct contact with water.
Otherwise, I recommend sealing the edges with clear varnish. Simple craft varnish can be sufficient. This prevents the particleboard from swelling at the cut edges.
A dehumidifier can also help improve the indoor climate.
Maria35 schrieb:
Keep indoor humidity consistently between 40-60%Thanks for the expert info. What’s the best way to measure indoor humidity over an extended period? Is a simple digital hygrometer sufficient, or should I use something more professional?
gregto schrieb:
Cover shelves additionally, for example, with transparent placemats or plastic matsThat sounds practical—easy to maintain and quick to implement.
I’ll probably get a hygrometer and monitor the shelf against the wall first. If necessary, I’ll try varnish and dehumidifiers afterward.
hardyki schrieb:
How do I best measure the indoor humidity over an extended period?A digital hygrometer with a data logging function is ideal if you want long-term readings. Otherwise, simple devices are sufficient for everyday checks.
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