How to Prevent Solid Wood Furniture from Cracking

Solid wood furniture, such as couches, entertainment units, and bookcases, brings unmatched charm and durability into a home. Solid wood is timeless in design and rich in character, offering a unique grain pattern and natural texture that can’t be replicated by synthetic alternatives. However, solid wood is also a living material, which means it reacts to its environment—and that includes changes in temperature, humidity, and how it’s used. One of the most common concerns among homeowners is cracking.

The good news is that solid wood furniture, when properly cared for, can last for generations without cracking or warping. In this guide, we’ll explore how to prevent solid wood furniture from cracking, with practical, expert-backed tips—and a look at why investing in quality craftsmanship from trusted sources like Oak Furniture Store makes all the difference.

Choose High-Quality Wood and Craftsmanship

When investing in solid wood furniture, opt for durable hardwood like oak or cherry. Whether you're buying a shoe cabinet, dining chairs, or a side table, these materials offer superior resilience and help prevent future cracking.

Opt for Durable Hardwood

Hardwood is far more resilient than panel furniture or softwood. Species like oak, beech, cherry, walnut, and birch are less prone to movement caused by changes in humidity and temperature. These woods are naturally dense, which gives them superior structural integrity. To avoid costly and inconvenient repairs down the line, it’s wise to be proactive in material selection. When ordering wooden furniture, choosing hardwoods such as maple or cherry—known for their resistance to splitting—can greatly reduce the risk of future damage (Hubbe, 2017).

Oak Furniture Store in New Zealand uses only 100% solid hardwood, never compromising with MDF or chipboard fillers. They use FSC-certified wood, ensuring both long-term performance and eco-responsibility. Every piece in their range is crafted to provide lasting value and withstand daily use without degrading in quality.

Trust in Traditional Joinery

Solid wood furniture that’s built using classic techniques is less likely to crack or warp. Dovetail joints have higher withdrawal strength than through mortise and tenon joints and dowel joints, indicating better performance under tensile loads (Su & Wang, 2007). Additionally, dovetail joints reinforced with dowels can significantly improve tensile strength and delay crack propagation (Hu et al., 2023). Oak Furniture Store relies on time-honored methods like dovetail-jointed drawers and tongue-and-groove backs, which allow for slight, natural wood movement without compromising stability. These joints also enhance the overall aesthetic appeal, showcasing attention to detail and superior workmanship.

Maintain Ideal Indoor Humidity

Wood absorbs and releases moisture based on the surrounding air. Sudden or extreme shifts in humidity can cause the wood to expand or contract—leading to splits, cracks, or warping (Kang et al., 2016).

Keep Relative Humidity Between 40–60%

Moisture loss in wood can lead to deformation and cracking, compromising its physical and mechanical properties and diminishing its functionality in daily use (Fu et al., 2023). To prevent such issues, it’s important to maintain proper indoor humidity levels. The ideal indoor humidity range for wood furniture is between 40% and 60%. However, if you’re in a particularly damp environment, such as many areas in New Zealand during winter, using a dehumidifier can help prevent the wood from getting mould.

Maintaining consistent humidity is crucial to preserving the structural integrity of your solid wood pieces over time.

Protect Against Heat and Sunlight

Prolonged exposure to heat and sunlight can cause solid wood furniture to crack. This is especially true for pieces like couches and entertainment units that may be placed near heat sources.

Keep Away from Heat Sources

Heat dries out the wood, causing it to shrink and crack (Shen et al., 2009). Make sure your furniture is at least 50 cm away from any heat-emitting appliances or vents.

Avoid Direct Sunlight

Prolonged sun exposure can also be harmful. It not only fades the finish but accelerates moisture loss, leading to uneven drying and cracking (Chen et al., 2024). To protect your furniture, place it away from large windows or use UV-blocking curtains or blinds.

Clean and Maintain with Care

Solid wood furniture requires regular care to keep it in optimal condition.

Dust with a Soft, Dry Cloth

Use a dry microfiber cloth to dust dining chairs, side tables, and other wooden items.. Avoid using damp cloths, as even small amounts of moisture can seep into the wood grain and alter its natural balance.

Wax Every Few Months

Every 3 to 6 months, apply a light coat of furniture wax or polish. This not only enhances the look and feel of the wood but also creates a protective barrier that locks in moisture and reduces environmental damage. Protective coatings play a crucial role in minimizing moisture-induced stress in timber, effectively preventing cracking caused by fluctuations in humidity. (Fragiacomo et al., 2011).

Proper cleaning and conditioning help prevent the surface from drying out and becoming brittle—a common cause of cracking.

Position Furniture Strategically

Where you place your furniture matters more than you think.

Allow Air Circulation

Do not push furniture directly against walls, especially external or damp ones. Furniture such as couches should allow airflow around them. Leave a small gap to promote airflow and help regulate the temperature and moisture around the wood.

Use Level Surfaces

Always place your furniture on a flat, stable floor. Uneven surfaces can put stress on joints or legs, gradually leading to cracks or warping.

Handle with Care During Use and Moves

Even the most well-made furniture can suffer if mishandled.

Avoid Overloading

Don’t place excessively heavy items on tabletops or shelves. Constant weight can deform the furniture or cause stress fractures, especially in thinner boards.

Open and Close Gently

Be gentle with solid wood furniture, such as drawers and desks. Repeated slamming or jerking can loosen joints or cause internal cracking over time.

Hire Professionals for Moving

If you’re relocating or rearranging your home, it’s best to hire professional movers to handle your solid wood pieces. Proper padding, lifting, and placement can prevent chips, dings, and stress that might otherwise lead to structural damage.

Quality Craftsmanship Matters

Since 2014, Oak Furniture Store has been a trusted name in New Zealand’s furniture industry, providing handcrafted solid hardwood furniture that blends classic craftsmanship with modern design. With no middlemen involved, the brand is able to offer affordable prices without sacrificing quality.

Their pieces are fully assembled, not flat-packed, meaning less stress on joints during installation—and less risk of cracking down the line. With a direct-to-consumer model and ethical sourcing practices, Oak Furniture Store stands for value, integrity, and timeless quality.

Cracking in solid wood furniture is not inevitable—it’s preventable. By choosing high-quality, well-crafted pieces and following basic maintenance and care guidelines, you can preserve the beauty and strength of your furniture for decades.

Whether you’re furnishing a new home or upgrading your current space, make sure your wood furniture is built to last. With proper attention and the right environment, your solid wood investment will continue to age gracefully—and stay crack-free.

References:

1. Chen, Y., Gao, Y., Duan, H., & Xu, X. (2024). Progress in the Experimental Design and Performance Characterization of Artificial Accelerated Photodegradation of Wood. Coatings. 
   
2. Fragiacomo, M., Fortino, S., Tononi, D., Usardi, I., & Toratti, T. (2011). Moisture-induced stresses perpendicular to grain in cross-sections of timber members exposed to different climates. Engineering Structures, 33, 3071-3078. 
   
3. Fu, Z., Chen, J., Zhang, Y., Xie, F., & Lu, Y. (2023). Review on Wood Deformation and Cracking during Moisture Loss. Polymers, 15. 
   
4. Hubbe, M. (2017). To repair or not to repair cracked wood. BioResources. 
   
5. Hu, W., Luo, M., Liu, Y., Xu, W., & Konukcu, A. (2023). Experimental and numerical studies on the mechanical properties and behaviors of a novel wood dowel reinforced dovetail joint. Engineering Failure Analysis. 
   
6. Kang, J., Kim, J., & Ahn, E. (2016). A Visualization Method for Wood Cracking Phenomenon based on the Moisture Variations. Journal of Korea Multimedia Society, 19, 1275-1280. 
   
7. Shen, D., Gu, S., Luo, K., & Bridgwater, A. (2009). Analysis of wood structural changes under thermal radiation. Energy & Fuels, 23, 1081-1088. 
   
8. Su, W., & Wang, Y. (2007). Withdrawal Properties of Single Dovetail Joints. , 22, 321-328.