Effects of Moisture in Wood and How to Prevent

If you plan on getting a modern backyard shed and building a work-from-home space, there are a few things you should take into account. For starters, wood will be the primary material of the construction. You should take certain safety measures to make sure that the material is protected against environmental issues and lasts for a long time – especially if you live in an area with high humidity levels.

Moisture in wood can cause great damage to your furniture and even your home. Hence, if you want to preserve your belongings and make sure that they last for a long time, we recommend being familiar with the acceptable moisture levels in wood.

For today's article, we'll explore the effects of humidity on wood and how you can prevent it from further damaging your prefab backyard studio.

Effects Of Moisture In Wood

For starters, you should know that wood is a "hygroscopic" material. Therefore, it absorbs water. Water can penetrate the wood in different ways, including its liquid and vapor forms. Therefore, moisture in wood is one of the most complicated challenges in certain industries.

Moisture can cause different problems in wood. Some of the most common include shrinking and swelling, although they can also cause deformations, stains, and cracks. It's also very important to note that high moisture levels in the wood make it quite fragile.

When it comes to industrial wood, such as the one used in an office pod, it goes through a process to drop moisture levels below 30%. This makes the material stronger and long-lasting.

How To Measure Moisture In Wood?

It's possible to measure moisture in the wood. These methods can be a tad complicated for a regular person outside the woodworking industry, but they're not impossible to understand. You can choose between Oven Dry Testing or perhaps using a moisture meter.

Oven dry testing

This method implies drying wood in an oven with good ventilation (a kiln is also helpful). You have to wait between dry cycles to weigh the wood and then continue like that until the weight of the piece of wood stops fluctuating. This method is a bit slow, and not everyone has access to the oven needed for the process.

Moisture meters

You can find two types of moisture meters in the market: pin-type and pinless. These meters can speed up the process and make it almost immediately.

• Pin-type meters use electrodes to measure the moisture content on a specific piece of wood via electrical resistance. If the wood is dry, it will be resistant to the electrical current applied.
• Pinless moisture meters are more straightforward. All you have to do is pass a sample through the meter, which uses electromagnetic waves to work, and then it’ll show you a reading of the moisture contents in such a sample.

Both of these meters are very easy to find in specialized stores, and they can also be useful for people who want to work on DIY projects. You can also use them to keep track of your prefab studio shed or any other construction made of wood you have at the moment. These meters can also be useful to get to know the acceptable moisture levels in wood flooring.

How To Protect The Wood From Moisture?

If you own any wood construction (including furniture) and live in an area with high moisture levels, you should take measures to keep your objects protected and make sure they last for a long time. Here we describe some things you may want to take into account if you want to protect your wood items from moisture:

Humidifier vs. dehumidifier

If you own a humidifier, you should use it correctly if you have wood around. It’s recommended to turn it down once the weather has become colder.

On the other hand, if you live in an area with high humidity levels, perhaps you should use a dehumidifier to keep them lower than they usually are. This way, you'll be able to preserve the life of your furniture or structures even further.

Waterproof your wood

If the wood you have at hand is untreated, then it'll be more vulnerable to moisture. You can treat it with a special waterproofing solution. Some of the options include linseed oil, walnut oil, and tung oil. Once you've applied the solution, it's recommendable to add a coat of varnish or perhaps polyurethane. Lacquer can also do the trick.

If the above method is too intricate for you, you can also take into account some common coatings, such as varnish or polyurethane. Lacquer is also listed as one of the options.

Last but not least, we also recommend using a stain-sealant combination if you want to add a nice finish to your wood piece while also waterproofing it for the future.

Provide maintenance to your office shed periodically

Most office garden sheds are made of wood. Therefore, it is important for you to take the necessary measures to make sure it’ll last for a long time and can continue serving you as a sacred space where you can take care of your responsibilities without external distractions.

You should make sure to clean your prefab ADU whenever you feel like it got too dirty. Also, make sure to prevent liquids from spilling on the wood, as they will only make things worse.

It's also recommendable to use one of the above oils on your wood whenever you feel like it has gotten too dry. This is one of the best methods to preserve wood, as the material's pores will absorb the oil and will maintain it solid while also slowing down the water absorption.

These measures can help you maintain your wood for a very long time.

Autonomous Pod: Wind, Rain, Snow, And Humidity-Resistant

If you want a workspace where you can concentrate on your daily responsibilities that can last for several years, then the Autonomous pod is the best option for you. It can resist harsh weather conditions and temperatures between 45 and 100ºF. Furthermore, it has been developed to provide protection against insects, heat, water, and mold.