Humidity For Maple Hardwood Floors

You can practically set your clock to the changes your hardwood floors go through with the changing seasons.

Humidity for maple hardwood floors.

Maintaining the right amount of humidity hardwood flooring functions best in areas where the humidity is kept at a relative constant. As with many hardwoods maple floors can react badly to environments with fluctuating humidity levels swelling and compacting as the levels shift. Here s the hardwood golden rule. This sometimes results in warping and cracks.

Humidity issues maple boards are prone to moving when the humidity rises and falls. On the other hand maple can expand and crack if you live in a damp area. If the humidity level drops below 35 it can be a problem for your hardwood. The recommended humidity range for wood floors is between 45 and 55 and some fluctuation within this range is acceptable.

With both solid and engineered hardwoods you should aim to keep humidity levels in your home between 35 and 55. To put it into perspective the humidity levels in florida frequently hover in the high 90 range while the humidity in las vegas can go as low as 18. In this chart you can see a small highlighted section. In the summer if the relative humidity in your home is higher than the recommended maximum of 42 percent your floors and other woodwork will absorb moisture.

Proper humidity level for your hardwood floor the national wood floor association nwfa states that normal relative humidity levels should range between 30 50 to ensure successful long term performance of your wood flooring. It s the same as for us. These are the safest conditions for most types of wood between 60 and 80 degrees fahrenheit and 30 to 50 rh. For different dimension of floorings in different locations there are various suggestions that i can share to you.

Humidity levels that fall anywhere between 30 50 are the best for hardwood floors. Outside of these ranges hardwood floors might start to experience adverse effects. The average living conditions stand at 18 24 degrees celsius 65 75 f coupled with a relative humidity that ranges between 30 50. If you live in a climate where the humidity rises and falls you should purchase a humidifier to use under the floor during dry months to keep it from moving and from shrinkage.

The stated conditions are best for human health and indeed your hardwood flooring.