### Wood Moisture Content: An Overview
Wood moisture content (MC) refers to the amount of water contained within a piece of wood, expressed as a percentage of its oven-dry weight. Moisture mapping, a specialized technique, allows professionals to measure and visualize MC distributions within wooden structures, providing valuable insights for various applications.
### Why is Moisture in Wood Bad?
Elevated MC in wood can have detrimental effects on its properties and performance:
* **Structural Integrity:** Excessive moisture weakens wood fibers, reducing its strength and stiffness, making it more susceptible to damage.
* **Dimensional Stability:** As MC changes, wood expands or contracts, causing doors and windows to stick, floors to buckle, and joints to fail.
* **Durability:** Moisture provides a favorable environment for mold, mildew, and rot, compromising wood’s longevity.
* **Thermal Performance:** Wet wood exhibits lower insulating properties, increasing energy consumption for heating and cooling.
* **Fire Resistance:** Dry wood burns more slowly and less intensely, providing better fire resistance. Moisture in wood can accelerate the spread of flames.