What Wood Effects Will Cause Cracks in Wooden Urns?

We have bought a wooden box for pet urns and it is very important to understand which woods are more prone to cracking and the factors that cause cracking so that we can improve the service life of the wooden urns and so that they can be placed in the home for a long time. Finally, we can target different material characteristics, and we can adopt preventive methods for repairing wooden urns.

This article will introduce you to the types of wood that are susceptible to cracking and the main causes of cracking, and will help you to make a more informed choice when choosing custom made wooden urns to ensure that the ashes of your beloved pet can be properly preserved for a long time to come.

Materials That Are More Prone to Cracking

1. cork

The physical characteristics of wooden urns made from this type of wood are that the fiber structure of cork is relatively loose and the ability to adapt to environmental changes is poor, for example: pine, cedar and birch.

2. Hardwood with high oil content

In terms of physical properties, the wood has a hard texture and is very durable, but because of its high oil content, if it is exposed to a high temperature environment, internal stresses will occur in the wood, resulting in cracks. Examples: red sandalwood, mahogany and teak.

3. Untreated or improperly sealed wood

Whether it is cork or hardwood, if it is not properly treated or improperly sealed when making a memorial urn, the risk of cracking will be greatly increased. In essence, the urn has not undergone proper surface coating (such as wood wax oil or varnish), and the wood is more susceptible to changes in air humidity, resulting in cracking.

If you need to know about our first-urn related cutting, polishing, painting and other related processes, you can read it here.

Factors That Cause Cracking

By introducing the physical properties of wood above, and understanding the factors that cause cracking of wooden urns, it will help us to better protect and maintain custom wooden urns.

1. Long term direct sunlight

If exposed to sunlight for a long time, it will cause the wood to dry quickly and cause uneven shrinkage inside the urn, which is likely to cause cracks in the appearance. It is recommended to place the wooden pet urn box away from direct sunlight.

2. Changes in ambient humidity

Changes in ambient humidity will directly cause the wood of the urn to expand or shrink with changes in ambient humidity. It is recommended to keep the ambient humidity relatively stable, which is essential for the protection of wooden pet urns.

3. Changes in temperature

Temperature changes, either the temperature is very high or the temperature is very low. The condition of the urn in these two extreme environments, then severe temperature changes will cause stress inside the wood. For example, suddenly moving an urn from a warm indoor environment to a cold outdoor environment may cause cracks. Exposing custom wooden urns to extreme temperature environments should be avoided.

4. External physical pressure

Improper handling or placement may cause physical pressure on the wooden urn, leading to cracks. It should be handled carefully to avoid collision or heavy pressure.

5. Improper cleaning methods

If improper cleaning methods are used, such as excessive use of water or strong detergents, the protective layer on the surface of the wood may be damaged and the risk of cracking may be increased. Therefore, we should use cleaning methods and products specially designed for wood products to maintain the memorial urn. For example, if a carved mahogany urn is repeatedly wiped with ordinary detergent, it is like corroding antique wood with a strong acid, and the surface may turn white after three months.

Choosing the right wood and the right care are essential to extending the life of your pet urn wooden box. While some woods are more susceptible to cracking, with proper processing techniques and proper care, most woods can be made into high-quality custom wooden urns.