Furniture in a Hot, Wet Country: Singapore
If you are relocating to Singapore for work, and plan to be away for a long time, you may want to take a lot of your own furniture. The culture shock of relocating overseas can sometimes create feelings of isolation and yearning for home, so having your familiar belongings around you often helps relieve homesickness. You may have a taste for vintage furniture and have collected some beloved pieces over the years, which you can’t bear to part with, or you may have some family heirlooms that help you reminisce about lost loved ones. If you intend to travel with your treasured pieces, it pays to research the best ways to keep everything intact when transporting your furniture to Singapore.
When taking your large items with you, it is important to employ an international moving company to help you package it safely to help avoid the risk of damaging your precious items. One issue you may not have considered is that a humid climate can seriously affect timber furniture. Wooden pieces can sometimes crack, fracture and swell due to the hot, wet conditions.
How Does Humidity Affect Wooden Furniture?
Wood and water go hand in hand; tree trunks and branches are designed by nature to move water throughout the body of the tree. When furniture, made with wood that has dried over time, is in a humid climate, some water in the air will invariably be drawn in by the wood’s porous nature, which can cause the material to swell. Situated near the Equator, Singapore endures high temperatures, abundant rainfall and high humidity year round, which can affect the wood as the material changes in size. Common issues include the dulling of finishes and raised grains. More damaging effects can include cracks and loose joints from swelling and shrinking of the wood.
What to Do to Keep Furniture in Good Condition
If you arrive before your furniture during your international move, you can start to prepare your new home for the furniture’s arrival. Ensure your residence is mildew-free and that air-conditioning units have been serviced. Remember to set up a regular service for your A/C units to ensure they’re operating at full capacity.
Once the furniture is installed in your new home, it is important to protect it from the external humidity by ensuring the interior moisture levels are regulated. Keep timber furniture indoors where possible and ensure that doors and windows are shut on humid days. If you start to feel your nasal passages are dry or your lips are starting to feel chapped within your home, you may want to consider adding some moisture to the air. In the summer months, when heat reaches its peak and there is high humidity, keep your air conditioner set on a steady temperature. Place the furniture out of direct sunlight and away from any heating systems.
Unfortunately, because wood is a relatively volatile material, there is a chance that imperfections will appear over time. If, after moving to Singapore, you start to notice cracks or loose joints, try adjusting the humidity levels within your home before you take your piece to be repaired.
To find out more about Allied’s moving services, or to book a consultation, visit www.alliedpickfords.com.sg or call +65 6862 4700.
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