We acquired a library table with a butcherblock top to use as a kitchen island countertop. After sitting in our Atlanta, GA shed for many months, the shiny (polyeurathane?) surface was removed and then the surface was conditioned with mineral oil. About a month ago it was installed on the island. Since then the seams in the top have “opened up”. At the ends it is possible to slide a sheet of paper a couple of inches into the delamination. We would like to be able to clean the surface with a wet cloth but have avoided allowing any water on the surface for the past 3 weeks or so. I am thinking part of this is from the change in humidity. However, what, if any, corrective action should be taken. Can anyone give an opinion on the cause and the propose a cure?
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Replies
You're right it is the change in humidity which causes movement. You could either leave it and live with it, or drill through the ends and install a recessed bolt and nut to close the gap.
One or two things, or a combination of both are causing the problem:
1. The bottom of the table top may still have the original finish on it, because of this, the bottom face isn't shrinking as fast as the top as the weather gets drier, leading to stresses that are pulling the seams apart. Another possibility in addition to the above is that the bottom surface doesn't have any exposure to the air because of the way it is installed in the counter, creating the same effect, slow shrinkage of the bottom and faster shrinkage of the top. The end grain of the wood loses moisture the fastest, which is why the cracks at the end are the worst.
2. Even with balanced conditions for moisture gain and loss on both surfaces, the top will need to shrink in dry weather and expand in moist weather, possibly as much as a half inch or more as the seasons change. If the top isn't free to move because it has been solidly glued or screwed to the base below it, the stress from shrinking will crack the seams. There is no finish that you can put on the wood to prevent this seasonal change, the wood has to be free to move.
John W.
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