Installing hardwood floors in the summer? No problem.
Here is what you need to know.
At the Hardwood Flooring Store we think any time is a great time to install hardwood floors. There is no “wrong” time to have a hardwood floor installed. But there are a few things about summertime that make it even more ideal and convenient for homeowners.
A lot of us have a little extra time on our hands so this might be the perfect time to start your new floor project. Please consult our DIY page to more tips and tricks to getting the floor done right.
Does Humidity Matter in the Summer?
Wood is a hygroscopic material. It absorbs and releases moisture repeatedly depending on its environment. Some people think that it’s better to install a wood floor in the hot, humid summer when the wood planks are at their largest and have gaps in the winter than to install it tight during the winter when it’s at its smallest and have it swell or buckle when summer and humidity come back. Truthfully, it doesn’t make a big difference because most homes are heated and cooled in the respective months and many have humidifiers to help keep moisture levels up during the drier winter months. The important thing is to bring the wood inside the home and allow it to acclimate to those conditions. This average amount of moisture is best because you may get minor swelling in the summer and minor gapping in the winter, but neither will be too noticeable.
To keep the expansion of your floor boards to a minimum, it’s important to keep the humidity level in your home below 50% during summer months. Air conditioning naturally removes some humidity from the air, but if your wood floor is installed in naturally humid areas, like a basement, you might need to install a dehumidifier to remove excess moisture.
The ideal relative humidity for your health and comfort is about 40–50%.
– During winter: It may need to be between 30–40% to prevent condensation on your windows and other surfaces. Relative humidity settings that are too low may cause respiratory infections, allergic rhinitis and asthma.
– During summer: It can move up to 50–55%. Relative humidity that is too high may have health effects due to mold growth, dust mite infestations, as well as certain bacteria and viruses.
Now it is time to choose your flooring :
Wider floor boards can be used in all sizes of rooms, smaller room doesn’t need to have smaller widths. Instead, using wider boards will give the impression of a larger space simply because fewer joints are visible.
7-INCH BOARDS VS. 3¾-INCH BOARDS.
And it’s the same for wider boards (5 to 7 inches wide), which can fill the space of a larger room better and adapt easier to scale.
BUDGET :
Larger logs are needed to make wider boards, this can increase the costs to produce this fashionable width. It really comes down to choosing what you like most. That’s why it’s often best to start your flooring project with a choice of flooring material since a good chunk of your budget will go toward it. It is however possible to strike a balance between what you like and what your budget considerations will allow.
And you? Which do you prefer?
- Narrow floor boards
- Wider floor boards
- Herringbone pattern
Please come and visit us, we look forward to helping you.
Please see the many flooring options and discounts that they currently have going on.
Ash Sky Nuance 4"1/4 for $6.49/sq/ft
Old World Herringbone $8.99 sq/ft
Preverco Maple Sandstone $4.19 sq/ft
Preverco Red Oak Komodo $5.75 sq/ft
Make sure to check out our hardwood flooring liquidation area within our main showroom.
7291 Victoria Park Ave #7 Markham, ON L3R 3A4
Please come and visit us, we look forward to helping you.
Please see the many flooring options and discounts that they currently have going on.
Ash Sky Nuance 4"1/4 for $6.49/sq/ft
Old World Herringbone $8.99 sq/ft
Preverco Maple Sandstone $4.19 sq/ft
Preverco Red Oak Komodo $5.75 sq/ft
Make sure to check out our hardwood flooring liquidation area within our main showroom.
Markham Location
Telephone: (905) 475–9582
Toll-Free: 1 (800) 263–6363
Fax: (905) 475–9634
Hours of Operation
Monday 8:00am — 6:00pm
Tuesday 8:00am — 6:00pm
Wednesday 8:00am — 6:00pm
Thursday 8:00am — 8:00pm
Friday 8:00am — 6:00pm
Saturday 8:00am — 6:00pm
Sunday Closed
Burlington Location
Telephone: (905) 332–8080
Toll-Free: 1 (800) 263–6465
Fax: (905) 332–8288
Hours of Operation
Monday 8:00am — 6:00pm
Tuesday 8:00am — 6:00pm
Wednesday 8:00am — 6:00pm
Thursday 8:00am — 8:00pm
Friday 8:00am — 6:00pm
Saturday 8:00am — 6:00pm
Sunday 11:00am — 5:00pm
