Specie legnose: una società distinta

Wood species fall into two main categories: hardwoods and softwoods. From there, it gets complicated. To install wood flooring successfully, builders need to check the wood’s moisture content (MC).

But before using a wood moisture meter, they need to set it to the correct specific gravity or species setting for the wood they’re measuring. That way, the reading reflects the moisture content of that particular species.

Variabili del contenuto di umidità del legno

The MC of green (freshly cut) wood can vary a lot. A tree’s heartwood, the inner core, often has a very different MC than its sapwood, the outer wood just under the bark. According to the USDA Forest Service Manuale del legno, coast Douglas-fir, a common softwood, averages 37% MC in the heartwood and 115% in the sapwood when green. Among hardwoods, sweetgum averages 79% in the heartwood and 137% in the sapwood. White ash, by contrast, is nearly the same in both: 46% in the heartwood and 44% in the sapwood.

A wood’s MC in use also depends on where it ends up. Wood moves toward a balance with the humidity of its surroundings, so the same species can settle at a different MC in a humid coastal home than in a dry inland one. That’s especially important for wood imported from around the world.

If you’re using wood for quality floors, you need to know the general properties of each species, because they also affect the wood’s equilibrium moisture content in the finished floor.

Umidità nelle cellule del legno

All wood holds some moisture in its cells. Bound water is held in the cell walls, and free water is liquid water in the cell cavities (lumens). Because different species hold different amounts of moisture, they behave differently as moisture changes. Water has a big effect on wood’s properties, which is one reason different species suit different building applications.

Contenuto di umidità

Builders need to make sure the wood’s MC suits both the flooring application and the species. Wood reaches its equilibrium moisture content (EMC) when its MC is in balance with its surroundings. Changes in relative humidity (RH) cause the wood’s MC to change, from the forest to the newly installed floor in your home.

Download gratuito: qual è la soluzione migliore per te un misuratore di umidità con o senza puntale?

To measure MC accurately, installers need to set their moisture meters to the correct species. Wagner Meters makes meters for applicazioni generali del legno così come per ispezione di edifici. With the right meter, installers and homeowners can accurately measure and monitor MC for each species. Measuring accurately matters, because reaching the right EMC is part of what keeps wood products beautiful and strong for years.

Acquista i misuratori di umidità Orion

Ron Smith

In qualità di Responsabile Vendite di Wagner Meters, Ron vanta oltre 35 anni di esperienza nella strumentazione e nei sistemi di misura in diversi settori. In precedenti incarichi, ha ricoperto il ruolo di Responsabile Vendite Regionale, Responsabile Prodotti e Progetti e Responsabile Vendite per aziende produttrici di strumentazione di misura.

Ultimo aggiornamento il 12 ottobre 2026