Summer Humidity: How It Effects Your Hardwood Floors

It's Getting Hot Out There!

It's Getting Hot Outside!

Cupping and Buckling Floors

Most people are not thinking about their floors when it comes to the heat and humidity associated with the summer months. However, those who have hardwood floors that cup and buckle during the summer months definitely recognize the weather shift in and outside of their home.

 Even the most expertly installed wood floors are subjected to cupping and buckling due to hardwood's relationship with the temperature and moisture of the air surrounding it. Wood is a natural product that expands from moisture and contracts when less moisture is present. Remember, hardwood floors used to be trees living and thriving off of water (moisture).

Throughout the day, the temperature and relative humidity changes in air. In the morning the temperature is lower and the  relative humidity is higher. In most climates, mornings start out cool and humid, dew is on the grass and your wood floors are effected. As the temperature rises, the relative humidity decreases and the air is less moist. Then, when the sun sets for the day, the temperature falls and moisture levels rise in the air. Needless to say, you hardwood floors are subjected to tons of change and you need to prepared so that cupping and buckling does not become an issue with your floors.

Removing Moisture from  Your Home is the most effective way to prevent against cupping and buckling due to moisture in the air. There are a couple methods that work best when removing moisture from your home. Your air conditioner will remove moisture from the air when it is RUNNING. When the Air Conditioner is idle, it is not removing moisture from the air. 

Some things to keep in mind when relying you air conditioner is that your air conditioner does not run as frequently during the night and morning when the relative humidity in the air is highest. This is because the outside temperature is generally lower when the sun is down. Therefore, you home is cooler and the air conditioner does not need to run as long. If you have an air conditioner that you can program, you may want to set it to run every couple of hours for a limited time to remove moisture from your home during the morning and evening hours.

Many homes have air conditioners that are too large for their home. Having an air conditioner that is too large for your home can be effective when it comes to air conditioning your home, but it is a detriment when it comes to removing moisture from your home. Larger air conditioners cool your house faster, meaning less time to remove moisture from the air. Air Conditioning manufacturers have helped this situation by making variable-speed equipment that runs longer. More run time means more water removal.

 The best solution for humidity control is central, or a whole house, dehumidifier. A good quality dehumidifier can remove around 6.5 pints of water per hour, every hour all day long. Portable dehumidifiers can also help, but can only remove around 2 pints of water per hour. Generally, portable dehumidifiers use more energy than a quality whole-house dehumidifier. Keep in mind that portable dehumidifiers are more efficient for single rooms as opposed to the whole house.

Keep Your Floors Beautiful by talking to a StarFloors Professional

A StarFloors professional can discuss all of these factors and more when you are choosing the best flooring for you. Different species of wood respond to these environmental factors differently. As always, we recommend discussing all of your concerns with your StarFloors professional. Our floor professional are the top in the industry and will guide you in making the best choice for you.

You can contact a StarFloors professional today call toll-free (866) 503- STAR or visit us online www.starfloors.com