Hello everyone, I have recently been looking more closely into solid wood furniture, especially made from Malm wood, and I am wondering how different levels of indoor humidity affect this type of furniture. I understand that wood can react to moisture, for example by swelling or shrinking, but how much does this actually impact Malm wood and its components, such as in cabinets or dressers? What specific damage or changes can be expected when the indoor humidity is very high (around over 70 %) or very low (below 30 %)? Are there any particular care tips or preventive measures that should be taken to avoid long-term damage? I look forward to your experiences and advice!
GEKAU51 schrieb:
most Malm furniture is significantly more durable than many assume I would like to add some nuance to this statement. Durability depends heavily on the type of wood, craftsmanship, and surface treatment.
As far as I know, Malm wood is not a single solid wood species but rather a collective term for various woods with differing stability.
You also haven’t fully explained what you mean by extreme climate changes. The fact is: highly fluctuating humidity causes stresses in the wood that affect both its durability and appearance.
From a scientific perspective: wood swelling and shrinking can be precisely measured and vary depending on grain direction and wood species. It is worthwhile to check such data for specific Malm types.
ODINFLO schrieb:
Malm wood is not a specific wood type, often a collective term for various woods This is an important detail! Often, furniture labeled as ‘Malm’ actually consists of different local or imported wood species.
Therefore, when it comes to humidity and maintenance, it is always essential to know the specific wood type—oak, beech, pine, etc.—as each reacts differently.
Regarding moisture: most damage does not result from normal use but from persistent or repeated extreme conditions, such as improper heating, lack of ventilation, or direct water damage.
Those who carefully monitor their furniture and control the indoor climate have a good chance of keeping Malm furniture in good condition for a very long time.
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