Acceptable Moisture Levels In Hardwood Floors

Reaching equilibrium moisture content.

Acceptable moisture levels in hardwood floors.

Acclimation is the process for conditioning the moisture content of wood flooring to the environment where it will be installed. Solid strip flooring less than 3 wide should have a moisture content no more than 4 percent different from the moisture content of your subflooring materials. Prior to installation wood flooring should be within acceptable range of moisture content with the wood subfloor. By making sure your hardwood flooring reaches an acceptable moisture level before installation and by keeping your home at a consistent temperature and humidity level the natural movement of your hardwood floor will be minimized.

When determining the acceptable moisture levels in wood flooring before installation the nwfa states that the flooring professional should establish a baseline for acclimation. 2 for plank 3 wide or more hardwood and 4 for strip 2 wide hardwood. Despite receiving the ax and going through an extreme weight loss your hardwood floor is still living. Businesses use hardwood floors in their offices to create an elegant and sophisticated atmosphere while homeowners use it to create smooth easy to clean surfaces that when properly sealed resist staining and look beautiful.

Hardwood floors the maximum subfloor moisture level will be either 12 or 13 depending upon the manufacturer. Then the hardwood flooring moisture content must be within 2 4 of the subfloor moisture.