Caring For Your Oak Beams During The Colder Months
by Rebecca Armstrong

Although the festive season is over, we still have to endure the last of the winter months. That means adding an extra few layers to our clothing, such as a wooly hat and scarf when we go outside and turning the heating up when we’re inside. It’s less easy, however to protect your oak beams and timber furnishings against the cold winter months without the proper know-how.
It doesn’t matter if it’s an antique or a brand new dining room set, the cold weather can be bad for your wooden furniture – and it’s not just the wood that’s affected. Wood furniture stored in areas where it is exposed to the winter elements doesn’t last long. It dries out, cracks, deteriorates, fades and ultimately fails. The same can be said for the screws, glue, bolts, fabric and hinges that help hold the furniture together and make it function properly.
So, what can affect your oak beams?
Wood is a natural material that absorbs moisture from the air, so moisture levels in the air can impact on your timbers size, shape and quality. As humidity of the air increases, the moisture content will increase which will cause the wood to expand. However, in winter the humidity is slightly lower which creates a dryer atmosphere which can cause your timber to shrink and when replaced with artificial heating you are removing the possibility for moisture to move freely, this can cause your timber to warp.
The reason cold weather wreaks so much havoc on your wooden furniture is that all wood contains a certain amount of water, which makes it pliable. Even after it has been dried, shaped, sanded and varnished, there is still a small amount of water in the wood. As the air temperature drops, the wood contracts and actually changes its shape. Over the course of a few weeks, your furniture’s new shape might become permanent. As the wood morphs into a new shape, screw heads and glue get pulled in different directions. Sometimes they even separate from the wood entirely.
How do we stop this from happening?
Adding a coating and finish to the wood will help to slow down moisture movement. Also you can use a humidifier to monitor the levels of humidity in your home. This will ensure that the moisture content stays at a healthy temperature which will decrease the possibility of the timber warping and cracking. For those rooms that will not be used during the cold months, furniture can be covered with insulated covers, and wooden windows and panelling can be protected by humidity or temperature controls that allow a safe equilibrium in the room. For particularly delicate or valuable furniture, especially those built in the round, such as spinning wheels, and furniture with extensive marquetry, consider moving these vulnerable pieces to a room in which the environment is stable.
Here at Traditional Beams, we’re here to help you cozy up your home for the winter with our oak beams and wood burning stoves. Got any questions? We’re happy to help.
-
How To Decorate Your Oak Fireplace Beam For Christmas
The cold nights are officially here, and Christmas is just around the corner. One of the best things to do at Christmas is sit by the roaring fire whilst sipping...
-
What Makes Oak Fireplace Beams So Special
There are so many options when designing a fireplace, from cast iron surrounds to solid oak fireplace beams. We thought we would share with you why we think oak fireplace...
-
How To Decorate Your Shelves For Autumn 2022
Shelves are so much more than extra storage on an otherwise unused wall.
Decorating your shelves for the season ahead is a really simple way bring a whole new feel...
-
Common Misconceptions About Oak Beams
Here at Traditional Beams we have discovered there’s a few misconceptions about oak beams. These may deter some people from creating their dream fireplace which seems a...
-
Which Floating Shelf Is Right For You?
Choosing a floating shelf to suit your space is easy when you know how.
In this article, we will focus on finding the perfect floating shelves for...
-
How Far Above A Wood Burning Stove Can I Install An Oak Beam?
Here at Traditional Beams, we get asked this question a lot, however there are a few variables to consider when choosing the optimal place to install your oak fireplace beam.
...