Does Winter Weather Matter to Hardwood?

It’s winter, and are wanting to install hardwood flooring. We have been educated to acclimate the flooring before it is installed. Can it be acclimated to the wrong environment? It absolutely can. It is important to have your home between between 30-50%. If you acclimate wood outside the recommended humidity levels it will contract or expand when it reaches the normal humidity level. The wider the hardwood flooring is the more this is important. We recommend having your home at 40% humidity when the flooring is being acclimated & installed. If the humidity increases to 50% (in the summertime) or decreases to 30% (in the wintertime) the change is minimal. If the humidity goes above 50% or below 30% constantly for 7-10 days you can expect to see cupping (50%+) or gapping (30%-).

Here in Indiana (where we’re pretty used to humid summers, and dry winters) it’s vital that your hardwood floors are installed correctly.

Moisture Content In Hardwood Flooring

Working with wood flooring materials isn’t an easy job. When high-quality wood is installed well, it can be one of the most beautiful and long-lasting flooring materials on the market. That is why it is important to have your homes humidity in the 30-50% range & temperature in the 65-75 degrees before during & after a hardwood floor install. Hardwood floors should have a moisture content between 7-10% when it is installed. Wood floors preform the best when they are at the same humidity & temperatures that we like to be.

Things To Consider Before Having Hardwood Floors Installed

Here are a few things that you will need to make sure that your home is ready for hardwood flooring:

1. If you are having any other work done in your home that will change the humidity levels beyond the recommended 30%-50% levels, this should be done before the wood installation.

2. If you home is equipped with a humidifier or air conditioner, make sure it is operating properly. If it is not equipped with a humidifier or AC unit narrow width sold or engineered hardwood flooring may be the best option for you.

3. Do you have pets that are more then 30 pounds? Consider wood that is harder, like hickory.