25 Jan We Call It Gap Season
Wintertime’s dry air means special precautions for hardwood floors
Q. I had solid Red Oak select installed throughout my first floor last summer. It was sanded and finished with low-VOC waterborne polyurethane on site. It was absolutely perfect.
But now that winter is here, there are spaces between the boards. Is it possible that I was sold inferior wood?
A. Gaps between floor boards are common in the wintertime. Your installer should have told you that you have to control the humidity in your home to prevent inordinate gapping. In fact, most hardwood manufacturers recommend maintaining your indoor environment at 40 to 60 percent humidity year-round. But 36 to 50 is better if you want to prevent mold growth.