Wood floors will generally expand during the summer because wood reacts to moisture, and this can cause the edges of your wood planks to rise higher than the middle section of your planks, which is something you want to avoid. The good news is that there are things you can do to avoid summer moisture issues to prevent unwanted reactions, so make sure you consider the following:
If you are having new hardwood flooring installed:
Acclimation
It is a must that the wood is properly acclimated to its environment before it is installed.
Wood species
Different species of wood react differently to moisture, and certain species will handle this aspect better than others. The type of wood you choose will play a role in this regard, so do your research before making your choice.
Plank width
Choosing narrower planks will decrease the chances of shrinking and swelling due to moisture, so select your plank width carefully. Wider planks are more problematic, and while there may still be some shrinking and swelling with narrower planks, the gaps will be far less noticeable.
Sawing technique
This, too, will affect how the wood reacts to its environment, so look at your options to see what is available. Quarter sawn wood is a little more expensive than regular straight-sawn planks, but your wood will stand up to moisture a lot better with this technique, so it may be worth paying that extra amount.
Engineered wood
This type of flooring will provide you with more stability, so it’s an option worth considering. It contains a multiple-ply plank which counteracts twisting caused from moisture, so your flooring will remain flat and intact.
If you are having problems with wood floors that are already installed, you will have to control the environment in your home, as this is the most effective way to control moisture. You can remove moisture from indoor environments through air conditioners and dehumidifiers, and both of these solutions will make a very big difference. Most air conditioners will use a certain percentage of their energy to remove water from the air but will only remove moisture when it is running, so this is something you need to be aware of. Dehumidifiers use almost all of their energy to remove moisture, and a central or whole-house dehumidifier is the ideal solution for real humidity control.
The team at Milton Hardwood can provide you with more information, and we will share our expert advice to help you avoid moisture issues. We will make sure your flooring lasts as long as possible, and we specialize in hardwood floor installation and solid hardwood flooring, so if you are in Milton, contact us today!
