Moisture buffering effects of interior linings made from wood or wood based products

A uniform indoor climate with minor variations in temperature and relative humidity to establish a healthy and comfortable environment for the occupants. It is a well-known fact that the thermal mass of the building envelope counteracts strong changes in temperature. The fact that there is also something like a ”hygric mass”, antagonising strong variations of moisture, is however less common. Here ”hygric mass” means the vapour absorption capacity of the enclosing surfaces which is capable of buffering moisture variations inside a space. This would be beneficial in rooms where the generation of moisture and the extraction of moisture do not coincide.

This report is in paper form at Puutuoteteollisuus ry.