Wood Movement in Dubai: Essential Tips for Woodworking Projects

Last Updated: 13 Jun 2025

If you're building cutting boards, furniture, or workshop projects in the Dubai, understanding wood movement is crucial. Wood is a living material that expands and contracts with changes in temperature and humidity.

In the UAE’s unique climate, overlooking this can lead to warping, cracking, or failed joints. At The Makers Society, we teach every student how to work with the wood, not against it.

Every board tells a story. These handpicked hardwoods are the beginning of something beautiful—crafted by you, guided by us.

Why Wood Moves

Wood naturally absorbs and releases moisture depending on the surrounding air. In high humidity, it swells. In dry conditions, it shrinks. Dubai's air-conditioned environments can create a sharp contrast between indoor and outdoor conditions.

The Role of Grain Direction

Wood doesn’t expand uniformly. Most movement occurs across the grain, not along it. This is why edge-grain and end-grain boards behave differently from face-grain surfaces.

How Wood Movement Affects Your Work

Warping and Bowing

Thin pieces and wide panels are especially prone to distortion if not properly accounted for.

Splitting and Cracking

Tension from internal moisture changes can cause visible cracks, especially in end grain sections or improperly stored boards.

Joint Failure

Glue joints and joinery must be designed

Understanding the grain: flat sawn offers wider boards with more movement, while quarter sawn gives stability and striking linear grain. Choose wisely for your next build.

Tips to Manage Wood Movement

Allow for Expansion Gaps

Leave small gaps in wide panels or use floating tenons and breadboard ends to accommodate seasonal changes.

Choose the Right Joinery

Domino joints, sliding dovetails, and mortise-and-tenon connections all help manage movement while maintaining strength.

Finish and Store Properly

Use oil finishes to slow moisture exchange. Store boards flat and allow them to acclimate for 24–48 hours before final assembly.

Moisture matters. Every board at The Makers Society is checked before use—because stable wood makes better projects.

Dubai Climate Considerations

Dubai presents a unique woodworking challenge: low outdoor humidity combined with extreme indoor air conditioning.

• Wood delivered in the winter may dry out quickly once brought inside

• Summer humidity may expand boards too much if left untreated

• Seasonal shifts are less visible but still damaging over time

Not all boards are created equal. Learn to spot common wood defects like bowing, twisting, and knots before you build.

Recommended Tools and Courses

Want to build better, longer-lasting projects in the UAE? We offer:

• Beginner-friendly woodworking classes covering joint types and finishing techniques

• Precision hand tools from brands like Luban, Narex, and Kakuri

• Workshops and private sessions to help you troubleshoot issues in your projects

  
  

👉 Explore woodworking classes in Dubai

👉 Shop hand tools

Wood Movement FAQs

Does finishing wood prevent movement?

No finish can completely stop movement, but oil or polyurethane slows it down and protects against surface damage.

Should I acclimate wood before use?

Absolutely. Let wood sit in your workshop for at least 24–48 hours before cutting or gluing.

What woods are most stable in Dubai?

Hardwoods like walnut, iroko, and maple are relatively stable. Avoid softwoods or overly wet boards.

Whether you're building your first cutting board or designing a custom piece, understanding wood movement is essential, especially in Dubai.

At The Makers Society, we teach techniques that not only respect the material but also extend the life and beauty of your creations.