Wondering how long to let your wood acclimate before starting a project? Here is the quick answer.
General rule: 1 week per inch of thickness in your shop environment.
Why it matters: Wood expands and contracts with humidity changes. If you build with wood that has not equilibrated to your shop conditions, joints may fail or panels may warp.
Best practices:
- Store wood horizontally on stickers
- Allow air circulation on all sides
- Use a moisture meter to verify
- Target 6-8% moisture content for furniture
Patience here prevents problems later.
Learn more: Lumber Storage Solutions
