Noticed some cracks or splits in your timber? It’s usually nothing to worry about – read on to learn why they happen and why they’re a normal part of natural wood.
Shakes and checks are natural splits and cracks that can appear in timber as it responds to its environment. Wood is a natural material, and it responds to changes in weather and atmosphere by expanding and contracting. As it does, you might notice small cracks appear or close over time – this is completely normal. In the warmer months the timber will shrink resulting in cracks, and in the colder, wetter months, the wood will absorb the moisture in the air and expand (and the cracks will close).
Credit: Carolina Timber Works Credit: Carolina Timber Works
This gets slightly more technical, and honestly, you probably don’t need to worry about it. But if you're curious, here's the gist: Shakes and checks are both natural cracks that can appear in timber, but they differ slightly in cause, location, and appearance.
Either way, both are completely normal features of real timber. They’re a natural feature of wood and in almost all cases, they’re purely superficial – not structural.
Credit: Vermont Timber Works
These marks are usually superficial and very rarely affect the strength or integrity of the wood. In most cases, there’s no need for concern – they’re simply part of the character and behaviour of real timber.
Rest assured – you’ve got high-quality timber from sunny and sustainable forests in North America. It’s fast-growing, strong, and well-suited for outdoor use. What you’re seeing is simply a natural characteristic of real wood – we like to think its part of its charm.
Although its unlikely to cause any problems, if you’re ever unsure or worried about what you’re seeing, we’re happy to help. Just drop us an email with a few pictures and we’ll take a look.
