Did you know that hardwood floors expand and contract with the changes of the seasons? It is in the nature of the product and not a defect.

In winter when the air in your home is dry due to round the clock heating, you will notice that the wood in your home contracts – the structural wood, the moldings, the furniture, the cabinetry and yes, your hardwood floors as well. You will observe hairline cracks, slight height variations or both. A whole house humidifier will help minimize shrinkage and keep movement to a minimum.

Gaps and cracks are much less noticeable on darker colored wood floors than lighter ones. Narrower width boards generally perform better too, since wider planks are more prone to moisture and heat fluctuation. Another note, hardwood does not expand or contract equally in all directions.

Engineered wood floors, rather than solid floors, are your best bet for a dimensionally stable floor since they are made with a cross-ply construction.

In the warmer months, when humidity levels rise, wood floors will expand. Gaps will tend to diminish. The use of air conditioning will help keep your home at an ideal comfort level of 35% to 55% relative humidity – good for people! Good for floors!