Wood Flooring and the Effects of Humidity

Wood Flooring will perform best when the interior environment is controlled to stay within a relative humidity range of 30% to 50% and a temperature range of 60 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Fortunately that is about the same comfort range that most humans enjoy. The chart below indicates the moisture content wood will likely have at any given combination of temperature and humidity. Although some movement can be expected even between 6% and 9% moisture, wood can expand and contract dramatically outside that range.

Temperature (Fahrenheit)

50
60
70
80
90
4.6 5.5 6.3 7.1 7.9 8.7 9.5 10.4 11.3
4.6 5.4 6.2 7.0 7.8 8.6 9.4 10.2 11.1
4.5 5.4 6.2 6.9 7.7 8.5 9.2 10.1 11.0
4.4 5.3 6.1 6.8 7.6 8.3 9.1 9.9 10.8
4.3 5.1 5.9 6.7 7.4 8.1 8.9 9.7 10.5

Humidity 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60

The concerns of relative humidity control have been addressed by all major wood flooring manufacturers and are clearly documented by them and the National Wood Flooring Association. The following are important points to consider:

 

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