ᐅ How much can wood expand and contract, and what amount of movement is considered normal?
Created on: 12 Feb 2018 10:51
M
Mizit
We live in a 23-year-old Kampa prefabricated house with a timber frame structure.
For example, at the end of September, we freshly painted the bedroom on the upper floor. About 2-3 weeks ago, we first noticed these black "cracks" on the ceiling, exactly where the ceiling meets the side wall. At first, I thought it might be mold, but it was clearly cracks.
These cracks are now clearly increasing. You can really see it. In the bathroom, along this ceiling-to-wall joint, there are also noticeable grooves of 2-3mm (0.08-0.12 inches) that definitely were not there before.
We know wood moves, that’s clear. At the moment, it’s also quite cold.
But is this normal? It seems strange to us. There is a significant crack in the ceiling in the hallway as well. It doesn’t just look odd cosmetically...
For example, at the end of September, we freshly painted the bedroom on the upper floor. About 2-3 weeks ago, we first noticed these black "cracks" on the ceiling, exactly where the ceiling meets the side wall. At first, I thought it might be mold, but it was clearly cracks.
These cracks are now clearly increasing. You can really see it. In the bathroom, along this ceiling-to-wall joint, there are also noticeable grooves of 2-3mm (0.08-0.12 inches) that definitely were not there before.
We know wood moves, that’s clear. At the moment, it’s also quite cold.
But is this normal? It seems strange to us. There is a significant crack in the ceiling in the hallway as well. It doesn’t just look odd cosmetically...
Hmm. We didn’t glue anything ourselves; we just used the strip along the ceiling to finish the bathroom.
You say these cracks are caused by moisture. These cracks are currently appearing much more frequently on the upper floor. But there really shouldn’t be any moisture there. It can’t be due to ventilation either—I don’t think anyone ventilates as much as I do.
You say these cracks are caused by moisture. These cracks are currently appearing much more frequently on the upper floor. But there really shouldn’t be any moisture there. It can’t be due to ventilation either—I don’t think anyone ventilates as much as I do.
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hemali200312 Feb 2018 23:34I believe it’s simply due to the different expansion properties of various materials. We experienced this in existing buildings as well. And of course, it is especially noticeable in new construction between gable walls and drywall partitions. But it also occurs between drywall panels themselves. Even with acrylic, because its flexibility has limits!
I’m not sure yet what we will do about it...
I’m not sure yet what we will do about it...
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hemali200312 Feb 2018 23:36To me, it looks like the existing acrylic corner bead is cracked.
Either remove and replace it or attach some kind of patch strip.
Either remove and replace it or attach some kind of patch strip.
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HilfeHilfe13 Feb 2018 06:55Hello,
we also have such cracks in the substructure of the roof overhang (wood) to the cladding (aluminum).
Is this considered normal as well?
we also have such cracks in the substructure of the roof overhang (wood) to the cladding (aluminum).
Is this considered normal as well?
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