Seasonal Floor Changes - Gaps

The cold of winter has arrived in Minnesota which means our homes are closed up, the heat is on, and the dryness has set in. As humans, we know that our skin dries up when our environment does not have enough humidity and it can be quite uncomfortable. Did you know that low humidity has the same effect on your hardwood floors?

When you install hardwood floors in your home, you are installing a piece of nature. The beauty of hardwood floors lies in their uniqueness and natural essence, but this natural element will also change throughout its time as your floor.

When moisture levels are low in your home, you can see gaps appear between your floor boards that were never there before. These gaps are completely normal and the cause is simple. When your home is lacking in moisture, it sucks the natural moisture from your hardwood floors, so they shrivel up a bit. The size of the gaps depends on your particular floor: “In general, how much solid wood flooring shrinks is directly proportional to its width. For example, in identical scenarios, an 8” wide plainsawn plank of white oak flooring will shrink twice as much as a 4” plank of the same cut and species” (Hardwood Floors Magazine).

The good news is that these gaps will more than likely disappear with the seasonal changes, but there are steps you can take during the winter to reduce gaps in your floors and make your overall living environment more comfortable as well!

Install Whole Home Humidifier

Whole home humidifiers are relatively inexpensive and simple to install. They can either be standalone that you fill with water or you can even install one on your furnace. These humidifiers will keep the humidity level in your home at the recommended level of 30-50% which will keep your floors happy and can also improve your family’s health by reducing dust mites, allergens, and likelihood of respiratory illnesses.

Turn off the Exhaust Fans

Another easy way to keep humidity in your home during winter is by retiring your bathroom and kitchen exhaust fans for the season. By allowing the moisture from showering or boiling water to stay in your home, you are adding moisture to the air by just performing your daily tasks.

We hope you find these tips helpful and that you have a better understanding of the seasonal changes your floors experience during Fall and Winter.