pg. 8
To avoid these separations, try to control and monitor air humidity levels during the dry season by
installing a humidifier in the furnace or bringing a movable humidifier into the room that has good air
circulation. Optimal humidity level falls in 40
40%, no gaps at all will appear between the planks
monitor and control humidity levels in your home all year round.
Summer Time
During warm and humid summers when indoor humidity can rise up to 90%, the opposite occurs. Wood
and bamboo absorbs moisture from the air and expands as a result. Even just a few days of exposure to
high humidity can cause wood flooring to cup. When a floor
center. Cupping can also happen when spille
occurred, it takes a while for the floor planks
When extensive moisture or humidity causes the floor
pressing against each other. In extreme cas
lose their structural integrity and crack. To avoid cupping, keep indoor humidity level in your home or job
site (prior to hardwood installation) within 40
Maintain optimal humidity levels by keeping air conditioner or dehumidifier running during hot humid
summer weather.
KNOW YOUR WOOD OR BAMBOO
Wood Flooring Expansion and Contraction
Unlike many floor coverings, wood and bamboo
are installed. Home owners who want them to last that long, however, should note the number one
enemy of a hardwood and bamboo
moisture is present and shrink when it is not. Whether the reactions are a problem or not depends on the
severity of the situation. Following are some of the common results when water and wood floors combine.
CRACKS BETWEEN BOARDS:
Almost every wood
contraction as seasons and humidity levels change. When homes are heated, humidity levels plummet,
boards shrink and spaces appear between the boards. In dry months, cracks can easily deve
thickness of a dime on a typical solid 2¼ inch oak floor, with light
appear larger. Plank floors also will show cracks more. These spaces are to be expected and usually
close up as the season changes and moisture
owners can add moisture to the air during the dry months, ideally by install
or air conditioner.
-65% range. As long as humidity does not fall lower than
. Installing a simple humidity meter will allow you to
board cups, its edges are higher than its
d water is absorbed by the floor. Once cupping has
to restore its internal moisture and flatten out.
to expand significantly, adjoining boards start
es, this increased pressure can cause the affected boards to
-65% range. Never allow indoor humidity to rise over 65%.
FLOOR
floors can last the lifetime of the building in which they
floors:
moisture
. Wood and bamboo floors naturally expand when
and bamboo floor endures some expansion and
-colored woods making the cracks
returns to the air. To reduce the degree of change, home
ing a humidifier in the furnace
lop to the
