Installing Hardwood Floors in Winter: Is it a Good Idea?
Wood floors lend a touch of classic sophistication to any room. Achieving the look you want requires some careful planning, with a little bit of homework. From initial budgeting to selecting materials and scheduling professional renovation services, preparing for a successful hardwood flooring installation requires legwork. When reviewing project details, don’t forget to factor in seasonal temperatures to protect your investment.
Discover why installing hardwood floors in winter can be beneficial.
Benefits of Installing Hardwood Floors in Winter
Seasonal temperatures can have an impact on any home renovation project. When it comes to installing hardwood floors, winter is the optimal season since it provides ideal conditions to ensure your flooring lasts.
Like any other natural, porous product — hardwood flooring will react to changes in the environment and can absorb moisture. Because of this, if installation is completed in the highly humid NJ summers, floors may become susceptible to distortion. In addition, moisture buildup in subflooring can cause floorboards to warp over time, leading to dangerous mold and mildew.
Fall and winter are the best seasons for hardwood floor renovations. During cold, dry weather your home is exposed to less moisture. Therefore, less moisture will be trapped underneath the floorboards. Generally, wood flooring performs best when the interior environment maintains a relative humidity range of 30 to 50 percent and a temperature range of 60° to 80° Fahrenheit.
The National Wood Floor Association (NWFA) advises that optimal relative humidity levels should range between 30%-50% to ensure successful long-term performance of your wood flooring.
Keep in mind, that it’s important to let hardwood flooring acclimate before installation. This process involves storing the floorboards in the room where the installation will take place for up to one week. This will ensure that the wood has had enough time to adjust to the surrounding humidity levels, while minimize gapping, cracking and buckling after installation.
Schedule Hardwood Floor Installation Over Winter Vacation
Although hardwood flooring can be installed year-round, the cooler temperatures make fall and winter ideal times for installing hardwood floors. This is especially true in New Jersey, due to the particularly humid summers. If you’re heading on vacation over winter break, consider scheduling your flooring renovations to lessen inconvenience for you and your loved ones.
Give your home a face-lift before the holidays. At Gorsegner Brothers, we offer a large selection of timeless, modern and durable wood flooring styles to fit any taste. Our experienced floor sanders and installers work hard to ensure a smooth, stress-free process.
Not sure what to expect when it comes to installing hardwood floors in winter? Our experts have the inside scoop. Contact us online, by phone at 732-291-7263 or visit our showroom at 6 South Holmdel Road, Holmdel, NJ 07733 to learn more.
