What is the quality of the wood used in the Forbidden City?

The Palace Museum has become a hot topic of discussion and a popular internet sensation due to its nighttime light show. However, as people in the wood industry, we are more concerned about the Palace Museum itself, which is the largest man-made flammable structure in Beijing.

The Forbidden City is mainly constructed of earth and wood. Due to its age and exposure to wind and sun, the moisture content of the wood is low, sometimes even completely dry. Such low moisture content makes it extremely flammable.

It is evident that the moisture content of wood is a crucial factor. While ancient architecture may seem distant from our lives, the wood panels used in furniture are inextricably linked to them. Curtain boxes, radiator covers, fixed furniture, moldings, and door and window frames are all wood products, and these are prone to warping, deformation, fading, and cracking. Besides inherent product quality issues, factors such as construction methods and the placement environment can also contribute to these problems.

Many problems in home renovation stem from moisture content.

1. The drier the board, the better.

Consumers often mistakenly believe that the drier the wood panels, the better. This is inaccurate. Maintaining the optimal moisture content of the wood panels is crucial for their stability; generally, a moisture content of around 8% is ideal. Excessive moisture content can easily lead to quality problems.

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

It's obviously unrealistic to judge the moisture content with the naked eye, but some methods can be used to make a preliminary judgment.

Qualified board material:

Weight: Lightweight

Temperature: Not cold

Listen to the sound: The sound when tapped is crisp.

Examine the wood shavings: When planing, it makes a "whooshing" sound, the wood shavings heat up, and the planed surface is smooth.

Boards with excessively high moisture content:

If a board is heavy, feels cold to the touch, makes a dull sound when planing, or even produces water from the shavings, it should not be used.

3. Even after purchasing qualified boards, one should not let one's guard down.

Even with properly manufactured boards, problems can easily arise if improper processing is done after purchase. Paying attention to the following points can reduce the likelihood of these issues.

1. Do not add water to adhesives: Some workers cut corners by adding water to adhesives such as white glue. This will not only reduce the adhesion, but also cause the boards to absorb too much moisture, resulting in problems.

2. Let the boards sit for a few days before using them: This allows the moisture content of the boards to balance with the moisture level of the new home environment.

3. Apply a topcoat: Applying a topcoat promptly after installation can effectively protect the furniture and prevent unwanted moisture.

However, since there are no professional instruments to measure things in daily life, and it is impossible to consider everything, errors are bound to occur in observation and judgment. Therefore, the most important thing is to choose a reputable brand of wood-based panels to purchase from.