My neighbor in Tacoma swore by a 3/8 inch gap for drawer fronts

He said it was the perfect amount for seasonal wood movement on maple cabinets. I tried it on a built-in for a client last fall and by spring, two drawers were sticking. Had to redo the whole set with a 1/4 inch gap instead. Has anyone else found the 'right' gap changes with the wood type or local humidity?

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jennifercooper4mo ago

That 3/8 inch gap is way too big for most places. Your neighbor's advice only works for his specific shop setup and wood batch. Wood movement isn't just about the type of wood. It's about how dry it was when you built the cabinets. If your wood had a higher moisture content than his, it shrank more over the winter. That's why your drawers got loose and started to stick. I've seen this happen with maple in different parts of the same state. There's no single perfect number. You have to know your own local conditions and material. Starting with a 1/4 inch gap is usually a much safer bet.

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smith.blair4mo ago

Is it really that big a deal, @jennifercooper?

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