Stumbled onto a stat about maple wood movement that blew my mind

I was reading through some old Fine Woodworking articles last night and found out that a 12 inch wide maple panel can shrink or swell up to 1/8 of an inch just from seasonal humidity changes. I knew wood moved, but that number seemed huge for a piece that size. I've always left a little gap for expansion on frame and panel doors, but now I'm second guessing my gaps. Do you guys account for that kind of movement on your kitchen cabinets or just hope for the best? I'm in Ohio where the seasons are brutal on humidity.

2 comments

2 Comments

jones.blake1mo ago

Went back and measured my gaps after reading that same article.

patking1mo ago

Just make sure you're measuring from the same spot each time, like the edge of the frame. I learned that the hard way after thinking I had it right, then realizing my gaps were off by a quarter inch on one side.