How Humidity Can Impact Your Hardwood Floor

While hardwood floors are popular among many homeowners, they are vulnerable to humidity, especially during the summer months. Understanding humidity and how it can negatively impact your floor is the key to preventing this from happening. Homeowners that have hardwood floors which are engineered or solid should always look to maintain the humidity levels within their homes from 35 to 55 percent.

The Consequences Of High Humidity Levels

Once the humidity levels within the home pass 55 percent, moisture will enter the wood. Elevated moisture levels within wood will cause it to swell. The swelling will then lead to increased pressure among the floor boards, which will cause them to become warped or cupped. This will occur regardless of whether your floor is solid or engineered. Although engineered wood tends to have greater stability than solid woods they are also susceptible to moisture.

The Consequences Of Low Humidity Levels

Low humidity levels can be just as bad as humidity levels which are too high. When the humidity level within a home falls below 35 percent, this can cause the hardwood to become dry, which will weaken it. Hardwood floors that are subjected to low humidity levels will begin to splinter. Sometimes the floor will also “check,” which means that it may split near the grain. Low humidity levels can also ruin the finish, which would make the floor more costly to maintain.

How To Control Humidity Levels

The first step in controlling the humidity levels within your home is to use a humidistat. These products can easily be found in hardware stores or home improvement centers. Use them to measure the humidity within your home, and if the humidity is lower than 35 percent or higher than 55, you can then use a humidifier to make the needed adjustments. Maintaining an optimal moisture level in your home will preserve your hardwood floors while ensuring they remain covered under warranty.

Most homeowners don’t realize that the temperature and humidity levels within their homes will affect their wood flooring. Although the wood used in the floor is derived from dead trees, the wood will respond to the humidity as if it is a part of a living tree. Just as your body responds to temperature changes within your home, so does the wood within your floor. The good news is that the temperatures which you find to be most comfortable are also good for wooden floors.

When you purchase hardwood flooring, not many customer service reps will inquire about whether you have air conditioning or a humidifier. The purpose of these devices is to maintain an optimal humidity/temperature as required within the warranty. While not all wood floors will have problems due to fluctuating humidity levels, it certainly increases the chances of the floor being damaged. And when you consider the price you paid to purchase and install your flooring, as this is a risk you really want to take? Homeowners that leave their homes unoccupied for weeks should avoid turning the heat down during the winter, and they should leave the A/C running during the summer.

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