Replies

1. 
   Guest_ | Sep 16, 1999 10:58am | #1

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   If your stiles are glued to the rails you should have no problem, even with floating panels. I guess my question is "how loose are your panels set in the stiles and rails?" They should be snug enough so they don't shift when the assembly is dry fit together. Even with no glue, there should be no shifting if the related pieces properly fit together.

   MDF moves some with humidity changes. Not much, but some. If you're terribly concerned, throw in a dab of glue in the top and bottom rail slots so just the middle top and the middle bottom parts of the panels are glued to the rails. This allows the panels to expand to the left and right of center.

2. 
   Mad_Dog | Sep 16, 1999 06:23pm | #2

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   I was just curious to see if this was fairly common, using
   MDF in stairwells. Will it stand up to regular wear and
   tear or abuse? I have an opinion, but wanted to hear what
   you guys think.

   Agree as usual with Mongo, panels won't cause much downward
   stress it they are snug and stiles secure.

   Dog

1. 
   Carlos_ | Sep 16, 1999 06:30pm | #3

   *Thanks for the feedback. My panels do fit in snugly, but my concern was that gravity being what it is that the inevitable seasonal changes in the MDF (even with it primed on all faces) would lead the panels to all try and expand "downhill" Lightly securing the panels in the center seems like the right solution. Thanks

3. 
   Carlos_ | Sep 16, 1999 06:30pm | #4

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   Having built about 75 feet of raised panels in my entrance hall, I'm now ready to go up my staircase.

   But, I'm used to just letting the MDF panels float in the rail and stile assembly. After all, on level ground they're not going to travel in any particular direction. Should I alter my technique when I go up the stairs? I have this fear that all the weight of all those panels will come to rest on the bottom, possibly knocking the stiles out of the rail assembly.

   Any thoughts?