What about the wood in the Forbidden City?

The Forbidden City has sparked nationwide discussion due to its nighttime light show and has become a popular internet celebrity. However, as people in the wood industry, we are more concerned about the Forbidden City itself, which is the largest man-made flammable object in Beijing.

The Forbidden City is mainly composed of civil structures. Due to its age, exposure to wind and sun, the moisture content of the wood is relatively low, and some wood may even be completely dry, making it extremely flammable.

It's clear that the moisture content of wood is of critical importance. While ancient buildings may seem distant from our daily lives, the wood panels of furniture are an inseparable part of our lives. Curtain boxes, radiator covers, fixed furniture, wooden moldings, and door and window frames are all wooden products, which are often prone to warping, deformation, fading, and cracking. Besides inherent product quality issues, these problems can also be caused by factors such as construction practices and storage environment.

Many problems in decoration are rooted in water content

1. The drier the board, the better.

Consumers generally have a misconception that the drier the wood, the better. This view is actually inaccurate. The best way to keep the wood stable is to keep the moisture content at an optimal level. Generally, a moisture content of around 8% is appropriate. Excessively high moisture content can also easily lead to quality problems.

2. How to determine the moisture content of the board?

It is obviously unrealistic to determine the water content with the naked eye, but there are some ways to make a preliminary judgment.

Qualified plates:

Weigh the quality: light to the touch

Touch temperature: not cold

Listen to the sound: the knocking sound is crisp

Look at the shavings: when the planer is pushed, the shavings make a "swooshing" sound, the shavings become hot, and the planed surface is smooth

Boards with too high water content:

It is heavy, feels cold, makes a muffled sound when planed, and even produces water when shavings. This type of board cannot be used.

3. After purchasing qualified panels, you still cannot take it lightly

Even if the board is produced to a qualified standard, it is easy to cause problems if some parts are not handled properly after purchase. Paying a little attention to the following aspects can reduce the occurrence of problems.

1. Do not add water to the adhesive: Some workers cut corners and add water to adhesives such as white latex. This will not only reduce the viscosity, but also cause the board to absorb excessive moisture and cause problems.

2. Leave the board for a few days before use: This will allow the moisture content of the board to balance with the ambient moisture of the new home.

3. Apply topcoat: Applying topcoat promptly after installation can protect the furniture well and isolate it from unnecessary moisture.

However, after all, there are no professional instruments for measurement in life, and it is impossible to consider everything carefully. Errors are bound to occur in observation and judgment, so the most important thing is to choose a big brand board manufacturer with a good reputation.