Wood flooring will perform best when the interior environment is controlled to stay within a relative humidity range of 30% to 50% and a temperature range of 60° to 80° Fahrenheit. Fortunately, that’s about the same comfort range most humans enjoy.
When should hardwood floors be installed?
Though hardwood floors can be installed throughout the year, the cooler temperatures make autumn an ideal time for you schedule your hardwood flooring installation, especially if you live in a particularly humid climate. Like any other organic or natural product, wood also absorbs moisture because it is highly porous.
What is the best temperature for hardwood floors?
between 60 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit
The safe temperature range for hardwood floors is typically between 60 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit.
Is it OK to install wood floor in the winter?
Hardwood floors can be installed in the winter, but doing so comes with some challenges. Humidity—the level of moisture present in the air—plays a key role in floor installation. If it’s extremely humid when your wood floors are installed, it can cause the wood to swell.
What is the right direction to lay a wood floor?
The most common way to lay hardwood flooring is by aligning the planks parallel to the longest wall. Apart from a few exceptions like sagging joists, this is the preferred direction to lay wood floors because it aesthetically provides the best result.
Does humidity ruin hardwood floors?
Hardwood floors absorb moisture from the air, and extremely high or low humidity levels can be detrimental. Low humidity can cause hardwood floors to dry out, shrink, crack, or damage the wood’s finish. It is vital to keep the humidity level between 35-55% for the well-being of your hardwood floors.
What’s the best humidity for hardwood floors?
Proper humidity level for your hardwood floor
The National Wood Floor Association (NWFA) states that normal relative humidity levels should range between 30%-50% to ensure successful long-term performance of your wood flooring.
Which way should hardwood floors run in a hallway?
Whenever you are placing wood flooring in a hallway or any long and narrow area, it should run in the direction away from the doorway.
Should all wood floors run the same direction?
When placing wood floors in multiple rooms and a connecting hallway, the boards should all be directed away from the main entrance to the hall, and adjoining rooms should continue in that same direction.
Should wood floors be laid horizontal or vertical?
Wood floors should always be laid perpendicular to floor joists—across rather that in between them. This will make the floors structurally sound and will help prevent the planks from separating, sagging or buckling. So, there is no right or wrong way to lay your wood flooring.
Do you need to acclimate hardwood flooring?
It is important to acclimate solid hardwood because wood is hygroscopic. This means that it will take on moisture from the environment it is in. Taking on or losing too much moisture will cause wood to change. It can expand, shrink, check, or split because of excessive moisture changes.
How much space should be between hardwood floors and walls?
As already stated, you need to leave between 10 and 15mm all around your room. Ideally, you should place a range of suitably sized spacers against the wall you’re fitting against as well as against the two walls where the floor will run. This way you’re sure to get the right size of gap.
Is a humidifier necessary for hardwood floors?
A humidifier is necessary for your hardwood floors if you live in an extremely cold or dry environment. You should consider getting a humidifier if the humidity levels in your area and home drop below 35% for large parts of the year. You may need only to run your humidifier during certain seasons.
Is heat bad for hardwood floors?
Heat. Just as moisture can cause wood to expand, too much heat can also cause it to shrink. This can cause gaps to occur in one’s ground. If one wants to prevent excessive heat drying out their beautiful ground materials they need to ensure that the temperature of the house is kept as moderate as possible.
How do I keep my hardwood floors warm in the winter?
How to Keep Wood Floors Warm in Winter
- Check for Drafts and Cracks. Your floors cannot defend against drafts and cracks when cold air is creeping in. …
- Change the Curtains. …
- Add an Area Rug. …
- Use One Door. …
- Inspect the Wood Floors. …
- Get Quality Flooring and Service From 50 Floor.
Is wooden floor warm in winter?
Remember, hardwood floors will retain heat for much longer than a softwood or carpeted floor. Smart use of sunlight could also help to keep hardwood floors warm in winter.
Do I need a humidifier for my hardwood floors?
You can protect your wood floors with a whole-home humidifier. Most wood flooring manufacturers require the homeowner to keep their floors in a consistent environment because wood responds to temperature and humidity changes. When the air is dry, wood shrinks.
Why do new hardwood floors buckle?
As mentioned, weather and moisture are the most culprits of buckling wood floors. If the buckling is minimal, you can try drying the damaged area and see if it returns to its normal shape. You can also try putting a little pressure or a heavy object on top of the buckled wood to settle it back to its place.
Why are my hardwood floors buckling?
A buckled wood floor is almost unavoidable in humid environments or climates. Any wood floor will absorb the humidity from the air, so you might end up with a hardwood floor buckling without any visible leaks. Humidity levels change throughout the year. During winter there are usually lower levels of humidity.
How much space should be between hardwood floors and walls?
As already stated, you need to leave between 10 and 15mm all around your room. Ideally, you should place a range of suitably sized spacers against the wall you’re fitting against as well as against the two walls where the floor will run. This way you’re sure to get the right size of gap.
Should I remove baseboard before installing hardwood?
A: It is not absolutely necessary to remove baseboards to install new hardwoods, but remember that wood floors require an expansion gap of 1/2 inch along the surrounding walls to accommodate expansion and contraction with changes in moisture and humidity.
What happens if an expansion gap is not left?
Without an expansion gap ‘buckling’ is a common problem. The expanding laminate floor has no gap to allow for movement. This will cause laminate floorboards to be forced up, often causing a bounce. In extreme cases, it can damage the click system.
