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Why some wardrobes swell after a few monsoons, and what to ask before the carpenter starts.

Choosing board for a humid home

Bangladesh's humid months are hard on joinery. Untreated, low-grade MDF can swell within a few monsoons, usually starting at the bottom edge and on walls that take the rain.

Start by asking which walls are damp. An outside wall or one shared with a bathroom needs a different answer from a dry inside wall. A small gap behind the unit also lets air move.

Then ask what the core board is, not just what the surface looks like. Lacquer and veneer can look the same on a good board and a poor one, and the difference only shows later. For kitchens and bathrooms, ask for a moisture-resistant option such as marine ply or a properly coated board.

Finally, ask how edges are sealed. Water usually gets in at cut edges, so this small detail matters more than most finishes.