It's a great thing to be able to post a question to you online. At the moment I'm working on a bookcase in louis xvi style. therefore I use quite a lot of solid wood panels in oak, due to hold the piece in an acceptable weight I try to minimize the thickness of the panels. could you give me a clue to the thickness without having the chance that the panels will be too thin. the size of the panels are 24 inch in breadth and about 35 inch in length. I thought to make the thickness 12 mm = a bit less than 1/2 inch. would this be ok?
thanks for your comment on this. I'm an enthousiastic reader from fine woodworking and find your articles very readable.
-Ton W.
Netherlands, Europe
Our Expert
Frame-and-panel construction has been popular for centuries and for good reason; it's an attractive method for creating a large, stable expanse of solid wood. The thin panel is fit in a groove within a thick frame; as the panel dimensions change with the seasonal changes in humidity the panel "floats" within the rigid framework. Because it is both stable and attractive the frame-and-panel is used for doors, wall paneling, construction of casework such as roll top desks, and even headboards for beds.
Regarding the panel thickness, panels are commonly 1/2" to 5/8" thick, so I don't believe that the thinness of the panel is an issue. However, a 24" wide panel has the potential to expand and contract considerably, depending on the fluctuations in seasonal humidity. As a rule-of-thumb I allow 1/16" of room for expansion on each edge of a 12" panel. 24" is a wide panel so it's important to provide plenty of depth within the frame groove to allow for expansion. Another option is to create two smaller panels.
