How Do You Protect Wood Furniture During a New England Winter?

DIRECT ANSWER:

Protecting wood furniture during a New England winter begins with avoiding extreme environmental swings. Watch indoor humidity, keep important furniture away from concentrated heat where practical, monitor seasonal cracks or joint movement and avoid overreacting to every small seasonal change.

NEW ENGLAND WINTER DOESN'T JUST HAPPEN OUTSIDE.

Inside the house:

The heat turns on.

The air changes.

The sun comes through lower windows.

Wood begins responding.

A little awareness can prevent a small seasonal problem from becoming a larger one.

AIM FOR STABILITY

Wood generally does better with reasonably stable indoor conditions than repeated extremes.

The objective is not creating a museum environment.

It is avoiding dramatic swings where practical.

WATCH CONCENTRATED HEAT

Check furniture near:

Radiators

Heating vents

Wood stoves

Fireplaces

Portable heaters

WATCH WINTER SUN

Lower seasonal sun angles can expose furniture that receives little direct sunlight during summer.

Notice whether:

One side is fading

A tabletop gets strong afternoon sun

Protected areas are changing differently

CHECK IMPORTANT PIECES OCCASIONALLY

Look for:

New cracks

Joint movement

Loose veneer

Finish changes

Drawer-fit changes

Wobbling

DON'T OVER-TREAT THE SURFACE

Dry winter air does not mean the furniture needs to be soaked with oil.

The appropriate care depends on the finish.

Avoid repeatedly applying products simply because the wood looks "dry."

KNOW WHEN TO ASK FOR HELP

Consider evaluation when:

A crack is growing.

The piece becomes unstable.

Veneer lifts.

A joint opens significantly.

Finish begins failing.

A door or drawer stops functioning.

The piece has substantial family, historic or financial importance.