Quote Originally Posted by John C Cox View Post
While this is true in theory - in practice it generally only sort of matters on stuff with doors and drawers. It happens on everything - nobody notices it or cares.....

Finish certainly does slow down wood changes with humidity a bit - but it doesn't prevent movement. ...
My point is not about stopping movement but about managing it.

While doors and drawers are clear examples as you pointed out, the same applies to floating lids, bottom panels (solid wood), even shipbacks, tabletops, and more. If you finish the
face side and inside/backside unevenly and your piece is subject to huge swings of humidity, it is not a theoretical discussion but a practical nightmare. I have seen half a dozen of mishaps in person.

If your place has very mild to no humidity changes, it is a different story. Or simply use man-made wood.

Simon