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Expert: - 6/8/2009


Question

miter cabinet joint
We have a new construction project and have had new custom cabinets installed.  Within 30 days of the install the mitered doors are coming apart at the miter.  The cabinet maker said this was because we do not have our HVAC installed and running to  control the humidity in the house.  Is this true?  I expected the cabinets to take a little heat and humidity - I thought they were a finished product.  The cabinets are stained with a glaze on red oak.  Do you have a solution beyond a settlement for faulty workman ship?

Answer
Hi Lynn
Nice to hear from you.
So sorry this has happened. It should not have happened.
I am going to be so bold as to suggest that while the mitered corners were properly done, mitered corners perhaps should not be used in kitchen cabinets.
I will not fault the workmanship though.
The cabinet maker is correct that it was a humidity problem but possibly with a bit of "too much moisture" in the wood when the project was started thrown in.
Lynn this is a really big problem. This cannot be fixed. The doors must be replaced.
Kind Regards
Eileen  

Eileen Cronk

Expertise

Hi..I can answer most questions about the repairing,stripping and refinishing of all your old furniture and wood items(the things we call antiques)I can give advice about what to buy/avoid at auctions/flea markets. I do not give appraisals on antiques.

Experience

I have been refinishing antiques for the past 30yrs. While I have taken several courses over the years,I have found that "hands on" learning is the best teacher. Perhaps I can help you avoid some of the mistakes I made while learning.

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