Climatizing Hardwood Flooring

A Pro-Active Approach to Limit Cupping, Cracks, and Warping

• Common Causes

  The highest number of complaints encountered with hardwood flooring is that it cracks, has gaps between the planks, and cups. These results can be caused by the flooring not being allowed enough time to climatize to its environment or floor owners not understanding the characteristics of hardwood floors. (They can also be caused by other factors, but that's a whole other article!)

• Flooring Expansion

  Hardwood flooring expands and contracts as the moisture in the air around it changes. If you've ever watched a mud puddle dry in the sun, you've seen the cracks and cupping that happen to the soil as the water evaporates. The same thing happens to wood.

• Choose Appropriate Flooring Type

  When picking your hardwood flooring, choose the one that is right for your environment and for the subfloor over which it will be installed. Even the most expensive wood will suffer if installed in the wrong place.

• Acclimate Planks to the Air

  When you get your hardwood home, open the boxes and spread out the planks so air can get to all areas. The amount of time to "air" your flooring depends on the wood. Your flooring provider will give you guidelines.

• Check Humidity Levels

  Expert installers take moisture readings of the hardwood planks and check the humidity of the subfloor to ensure they are within the correct range before installing the flooring. If you're a do-it-yourselfer, ask your flooring provider for specifics.

• Environment Stability

  After installation, your flooring will still be affected by humidity. Unless you keep your environment at the same temperature and humidity 365 a year, your floor will have some warping, cupping, gaps, and cracks. You will see them grow and recede throughout the year. These are the characteristics and beauty of natural wood flooring.