Can Humidity Levels Impact My Home?

Since hardwood floors are a natural product, temperatures and humidity levels in your home influence them. When humidity levels are higher, such as in the summer, wood floors expand. On the other hand, when humidity levels fall, the wood floors will contract. This cycle can cause damage and wear to your wood floors over time. Here are some ideas you should consider to fix the influence of rising and falling humidity levels on your hardwood floors.

Install Humidity Controls Beforehand

Before you even install hardwood floors in your home, you can have a humidity control system installed in your home. This is the true way to track the fluctuating humidity levels. Aim for a humidity level between 40 and 60 percent, or else hardwood floors can be manipulated.

Controlling Humidity During the Summer

During the summertime when the weather is warmer, humidity levels can rise a significant amount in your home. This causes expansion of wood, which can result in planking. Once this happens, the floor can lose its durability and become damaged. If a homeowner does not have a humidity control system, they should opt for a dehumidifier to control the levels.

Controlling Humidity Levels During the Winter

In the winter, humidity levels drop. When this happens, the wood contracts, and can result in gaps between planks on hardwood floors. If you do not have a humidity control system, a humidifier works fine as well.

Cupping

Cupping is a major problem homeowners may deal with when there are humidity problems in a home. Cupping happens when hardwood bows up slightly. Cupping can correct itself if the humidity issue is fixed. If the cupping problem is more than slight, there may need more work done to restore your floors, such as refinishing or sanding.

Ideal Indoor Humidity Levels for Hardwood Floors

Maintaining the right indoor humidity level is essential for preserving the appearance and lifespan of hardwood flooring. Wood is a natural material that reacts to moisture in the air—it expands when humidity is high and contracts when it’s low. These fluctuations can lead to noticeable changes in your flooring, including gaps, warping, and even permanent damage over time.

What’s the Recommended Humidity Range?

The recommended indoor humidity range for hardwood floors is between 30% and 50%. Staying within this window helps prevent the wood from absorbing too much moisture or drying out excessively. When humidity levels rise above 50%, the wood can swell and push against itself, causing a condition known as cupping, where the edges of the boards lift higher than the center. On the flip side, when the air is too dry—especially during the winter months when heating systems are in use—the flooring may shrink, leading to gaps between boards or cracking.

How to Monitor and Maintain Proper Humidity

Monitoring indoor humidity doesn’t require a complicated setup. A basic digital hygrometer, which measures indoor temperature and humidity, can help you stay within the safe zone. If your home tends to be more humid, a dehumidifier may be necessary to pull excess moisture out of the air. In drier environments, especially those using forced-air heating, a humidifier can help maintain balanced moisture levels.

Why Humidity Control Matters for Your Floors

Keeping humidity levels consistent year-round protects not only the look of your floors but also their structural integrity. Whether you’re planning a new installation or trying to extend the life of your current floors, staying aware of indoor humidity is one of the simplest and most effective steps you can take.

 

Still have questions about humidity levels in your home? Contact the flooring experts at Signature Hardwood Floors. You can call us at 410.415.0755 or click here today! You can also follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn!