Oak slats in airing cupboard - expansion query?

aliasojo

Rather than waste oak skirting which was not required, I've just ripped it into slats (800mm x 60mm x15mm thick) which I'm now using to make new shelves for my airing cupboard.

There's a radiator in this cupboard so it's usually quite warm and it does get used to dry clothes, so there will be moisture in the air.

Are the oak slats likely to expand or swell in this environment? I'm not sure how tight I can make them, wall to wall. Would there be much movement in slats of this size?

aboard_epsilon

wood expands mainly along its width not along its length .

it wont being doing any expanding though ..it will be shrinking

the expansion and contraction of wood is governed by moisture content and not so much to do with the heat

if the oak is new ..i would make sure they were screwed down..or they may twist and warp ..if wood is held down whilst it is drying the screws may help it retain its shape.

if the slats are in rebates ..then new wood of 60mm inches wide may contract ..by 1/8 along its width

if the wood is seasoned then ..it may be OK.

all the best.markj

ormus

quarter inch gap all round will easy be enough for oak.
it wont expand/shrink that much.

aliasojo

Many thanks for your replies.

I had intended leaving the oak slats bare but am now wondering whether I should Osmo or varnish them. Would it make any difference to any possible expansion/shrinking?

aboard_epsilon

aliasojo wrote: »

Many thanks for your replies.

I had intended leaving the oak slats bare but am now wondering whether I should Osmo or varnish them. Would it make any difference to any possible expansion/shrinking?

No..it will only make it happen slower over a longer period ..there is such intense heat in there. you wont be able to stop anything happening in the long run .

but if your wood is seasoned ..sort of 5 years old ..and moisture content low to start with ..you wont have any trouble

some oaks are kiln dried ..that is the stuff you are best using in a situation like this ..

all the best.markj

leveller2911

Not sure I would recommend Oak at all TBH , if you put any damp clothes in there it will turn the oak black(tanic acid) and could stain the clothes. I'm not saying it would happen but it could, which it can't with Softwood...........

aliasojo

I wished I'd known that before I spent all afternoon cutting, sawing and sanding.

Don't know what to do now.

The slats were made into shelves for the towels to sit on and there is space underneath to hang clothes to dry (on wooden broom handles cut and used as rails).

leveller2911

aliasojo wrote: »

I wished I'd known that before I spent all afternoon cutting, sawing and sanding.

Don't know what to do now.

The slats were made into shelves for the towels to sit on and there is space underneath to hang clothes to dry (on wooden broom handles cut and used as rails).

Well you did ask..........:D........You could try it, when we put washed clothes in our airing cupboard sometimes the cuffs of jumpers,cardis etc can be damp, if this damp cloth rests on untreated oak it will draw the Tanic acid out and could stain the clothes..............

As youve done all that hard work give it a go.......Very MSE of you by the way..........

leveller2911

You could try treating the slats with Liberon finishinh oil, make sure its bone dry before laying the towels on them. The oil dries and doesnt leave any oil residue........Sealing the oak is the key and you will be fine..............500 ml can should be enough, just a thin coat brushed on, will cost about £4-95