Southern California's winters are mild by national standards, but the seasonal shift still affects woodworking. Lower temperatures, occasional rain, and shifts in humidity all matter when you're working with wood — especially reclaimed wood.
Humidity is the biggest factor. LA's winter brings more moisture than our bone-dry summers. Indoor humidity can climb from summer's 30-40% to winter's 50-60%. This means wood absorbs moisture and expands slightly. If you're installing flooring or trim in winter, account for this: the boards may shrink slightly when summer returns.
Glue and finish behavior changes in cooler temperatures. Most wood glues have a minimum application temperature of 50°F. Our garage workshops can dip below that on cold mornings. If your workspace is unheated, either warm it before gluing or switch to a glue rated for lower temperatures.
Finish drying times increase significantly. A polyurethane coat that dries in 4 hours at 75°F might take 8-10 hours at 55°F. Don't rush it — applying additional coats before the previous one has fully cured leads to poor adhesion and a cloudy finish.
On the positive side, winter is ideal for air-drying reclaimed lumber in covered areas. The cooler temperatures slow drying, which reduces the risk of checking and splitting that can occur during rapid summer drying. If you have reclaimed wood to dry, stack it now with stickers and let it slowly equalize over the winter months.
Finally, winter is when our inventory is most plentiful. Demolition activity runs year-round in LA, and the slower retail season means our yard is stacked deep. If you're planning a spring project, winter is the time to select your materials.