A few simple habits go a long way toward keeping wood cabinetry from showing the effects of a Calgary winter.
A humidifier that keeps indoor relative humidity somewhere in the 30–45% range through the driest winter months reduces the stress on wood cabinetry considerably, and has the added benefit of being more comfortable for the people living in the house too. This matters most in homes with forced-air heating running for long stretches.
Many all-purpose cleaners are more aggressive than a finished wood surface needs, and can dull a sheen or, over time, break down a finish faster than expected. A mild soap and water solution, wiped dry rather than left to air dry, is usually enough for day-to-day kitchen and bathroom cabinet cleaning.
A door or drawer that's started sticking with the seasons is usually a sign of normal wood movement, not a structural problem, but it's worth having hinges or slides adjusted rather than forcing it repeatedly, which can eventually rack a door out of square.
A small seasonal gap that appears at a panel edge in the depths of winter and closes back up by summer is generally just wood responding normally to humidity — the concern is a gap that doesn't close back up, or one that's accompanied by cracking, which is worth having assessed.
If a repair issue persists past a full humidity cycle, or you notice water staining, delamination or a hinge that's pulled loose from the cabinet frame, it's worth a proper repair assessment rather than waiting to see if it improves on its own.
Tell us about your space and we'll set up a free in-home measure and design consultation.