Wood is dried to a moisture content (MC) of 6% to 9% before the flooring boards are shaped. Relative humidity (RH) during the prefinishing phase averages 40%. The Melrose warehouse is heated and ventilated so that finished products are stored in ideal conditions while awaiting shipment. Even when dried correctly, wood continues to react to changes in relative humidity. The moisture content of wood will rise if the relative humidity (RH) is higher than usual, and conversely, the wood will lose some of its moisture content (MC) if the ambient air is too dry. These variations in the moisture content of the wood will cause the boards to expand or contract. As a result, the dimensions of flooring boards are affected directly by changes in ambient humidity, a well-known phenomenon. In an article published in Quebec Habitation, consultant L. Hugh Ward explains clearly this natural process: "A piece of wood becomes stable when its moisture content becomes equal to that of the surrounding environment. At that moment, it neither gains nor loses humidity. Consequently, this point of equilibrium varies on the basis of the temperature and level of ambient relative humidity."