Controlling the humidity level of your home will help keep your hardwood floors looking great all year long.
If you decide to fit your home with some natural hardwood flooring, there are some additional considerations you’ll need to make. Natural hardwood responds to fluctuations in temperature and humidity and these need to be properly accounted for and planned out before installing the flooring. The cycle of expanding and contracting that natural wood goes through can play a significant role in the wear and tear of your flooring. However, there are some methods you can employ to help mitigate the effect humidity and temperature changes have on your natural wood floors.
Summer Humidity Concerns
The Mid-Atlantic region experiences a significant rise in humidity levels during the summer which can cause the planks of wood flooring to expand and possibly even lose their integrity. Homeowners can mitigate these effects somewhat by having a dehumidifier installed to control these rising levels of humidity.
Winter Humidity Concerns
During the wintertime, on the other hand, humidity levels drop and causes wood flooring to contract. Gaps then appear between the wood planks leaving them susceptible to more damage. To raise the moisture levels in a home during the winter, a humidifier would need to be installed.
Permanent Humidity Controls
Before having natural wood floors installed in your home, consider installing a humidity control system. The best of both a humidifier and a dehumidifier, the all-in-one control system is the best way to ensure that the moisture level in your home stays consistent throughout the year as it is automated. Once it has been programmed to the optimal humidity level (generally in the range of 40-60%), you can rest easy knowing that it will protect your flooring from cupping and shifting.
Talk to a Wood Flooring Specialist
A wood flooring specialist like Jason Brown Wood Floors has a detailed knowledge of the climate of the region and how it affects hardwood. We can make recommendations for the composition and material of your new floor that can withstand the fluctuations of heat and humidity and help you keep it looking good in the future!
Trust Jason Brown Wood Floors for All Your Hardwood Flooring Needs!
At Jason Brown Wood Floors, our commitment to quality installation is clear in all that we do, which is why our customers consistently rate us as one of the top contractors in the region. We have been awarded Baltimore Magazine’s Best of Baltimore Award 3 times and have been proudly serving the Baltimore Area for over 16 years. If you’re ready to speak with someone about your hardwood flooring project, we want to hear from you! Contact us at 410-668-9131 or send us a message here.
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