Do hardwood floors expand and contract?

Wood is a natural product and as such expands and contracts with changes in atmospheric conditions. It is for this reason that wooden floors need an expansion gap. Solid wood floors take in moisture when there is a high level of humidity in the air and let that moisture go when the humidity reduces.

How much does hardwood flooring expand and contract?

Changing Against the Grain

This can be important to note when choosing wood floor planks and installing wood flooring, so you can plan for which way the floors may shrink or expand. Floors can shift up to 1/4 inch due to expansion or shrinkage.

Does Hardwood Flooring expand?

As wood is a natural product, hardwood floors will absorb any moisture in the air caused by humidity, and as a consequence the planks of flooring will expand.

How long does it take for hardwood floors to settle?

Best Practices for Acclimating Wood Flooring

Acclimation times vary by species and product, but a rule of thumb is to acclimate wood floor products for at least three days. You're trying to reach an equilibrium between the moisture content of the wood materials and the air where the product is being installed.

Do hardwood floors expand in summer?

During the summer, all wood floors tend to expand because wood reacts to moisture. Air with a high moisture content (MC) or high relative humidity (RH) causes wood to gain moisture. Extreme moisture can cause cupping (when the edges raise higher than the middle of the wood planks) or even buckling.

Floating Floor Tips - How To Plan for Expansion and Contraction

Are gaps in hardwood floors normal?

Generally speaking, gaps in a wood floor are normal for boards up to 2¼ inches wide if the gaps close during more humid times of the year. Normal gaps can vary in width, ranging from hairline gaps to the thickness of a quarter.

Will hardwood floors settle?

You can expect the wood to respond in different ways to the humidity, temperature and light that enters the room. As a general rule, you should allow for a minimum of the four seasons to take their course before the wooden flooring is settled into its environment.

What happens if you don't let hardwood floors acclimate?

If hardwood planks are not allowed to acclimate to their environment before installation, issues like cupping, warping, and gapping can arise.

Can you walk on hardwood floor after install?

We recommend waiting a minimum of 24 hours before you walk on your floors– and 48 hours is even better.

When can I walk on new hardwood floors?

We recommend waiting 6 hours before walking on your new floors in socks. After 24 hours you can walk through with shoes on. Allow 48 hours before setting furniture and returning pets. Carpets and area rugs can be placed after 1 full week.

Do hardwood floors contract in winter?

During the winter, when homes are heated and the air is dry, wood flooring loses some of its moisture and contracts or shrinks as a result. It is normal that when relative humidity is lower than recommended, wood plank shrinks, therefore thin gaps can appear between wood planks.

Why is my floor bulging?

When a floor board starts to bulge, it's usually because it is warped. Hardwood floors usually warp because they have been exposed to water, or excessive humidity. The water causes the fibers in the wood to swell and shrink. A board that is severely bulged will most likely need to be replaced.

Does wood contract in cold?

Does wood expand in heat or cold? Wood expands in heat and contracts in the cold. However, changes in moisture levels determine the extent of wood movement and its direction.

How do I prevent gaps in my hardwood floors?

Does hardwood need expansion gap?

Why Is an Expansion Gap Necessary for a Solid Wood Floor? As we mentioned, you need to keep space around every vertical object. The gap is critical for a solid hardwood floor to lie flat throughout the various seasons and humidity changes. If the wood planks have no space to expand, they can start to lift or crack.

Why does wood flooring have to acclimate?

It is important to acclimate solid hardwood because wood is hygroscopic. This means that it will take on moisture from the environment it is in. Taking on or losing too much moisture will cause wood to change. It can expand, shrink, check, or split because of excessive moisture changes.

How soon can you put rugs on new hardwood floors?

Wait 3 weeks before putting area rugs on newly refinished/finished hardwood floors. Wait 48 to 72 hours after the hardwood has been refinished/ finished before "PLACING" furniture back in its place. Keep a steady temperature and humidity within your home.

How do you acclimate hardwood flooring?

The Science of Acclimation

The wood used in the flooring industry is generally dried to a moisture content between 6 and 9 percent using a combination of air and kiln drying. In a stable environment in which the wood is neither gaining nor losing moisture, equilibrium moisture content has been reached.

How long does it take wood floors to acclimate?

Acclimation of wood flooring begins with proper storage at the job site. It should be cross stacked and spaced to encourage air circulation around the boards. Most manufacturers recommend materials acclimate for a minimum of three days with no maximum suggested.

Does hardwood acclimate in box?

Can Hardwood Flooring Acclimate in the Box? It is possible to acclimate hardwood flooring in the box, but it will take much longer due to the lack of air circulation.

What is the best temperature for hardwood floors?

The safe temperature range for hardwood floors is typically between 60 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit.

Why do my hardwood floors pop?

The most common reason for hardwood to make a popping sound, specifically at night, is a change in humidity. The home cools during the transition from day to night and that can impact humidity levels in the home. The popping sound can be especially loud if the fit of the wood is very tight.

Why do my hardwood floors look wavy?

As wood absorbs moisture, it can swell. When hardwood flooring swells too much, individual boards will start to push out around the edges and be higher than the center—creating an indentation that runs the length of the board that gives it a “wavy” appearance.

Why does hardwood floor buckle?

Water, and moisture in general, is the number one cause of buckling floorboards. That's because when these floorboards get wet, the wood naturally swells to accommodate the moisture. All of that contracting and expanding eventually leads to buckling and warping.

Does oak flooring expand?

Wood is a natural product and as such expands and contracts with changes in atmospheric conditions. It is for this reason that wooden floors need an expansion gap. Solid wood floors take in moisture when there is a high level of humidity in the air and let that moisture go when the humidity reduces.