Hardwood is one of the most popular flooring types today, and it’s not only a beautiful choice for your home but also a smart investment.
Hardwood floors generally add value to a residence and are very attractive to prospective buyers. However, before you decide to install hardwood floors, it’s important to understand how they’re impacted by moisture, particularly in humid climates and water-prone rooms like the kitchen, bathroom, and entryway.
At Cove Carpet One Floor & Home, we know how important it is to ensure that the product you choose for your next installation project lasts and stays looking beautiful for years to come. Our local experts are happy to help you determine which floors are perfect for your home or commercial project. Stop by our Summit, NJ showroom to browse our gorgeous collection and chat with us about your flooring vision.
Hardwood naturally shrinks and expands when exposed to changes in humidity, temperature, spills, and splashes. If installed in a humid region or moisture-prone room, the wood planks can warp, gap, and crack. If you decide to install hardwood in a humid climate, it’s important to use climate control in your home or commercial space and avoid dramatic temperature and humidity changes. A hygrometer is a great tool for measuring humidity in a space, and is a must-have for hardwood floor owners. You should aim to keep your humidity levels between 30% and 50%, without any sudden drops or rises.
When it comes to hardwood and humidity, choosing a hardwood flooring type that can withstand moisture is a great way to ensure your floors stay looking beautiful in the long-run. Waterproof, engineered, and reclaimed hardwood are all great choices. Engineered hardwood is made using layers of real wood that are laminated together to create structural stability and moisture-resistance. This is opposed to solid hardwood planks, which are made from a single piece of wood and generally more susceptible to moisture deformation. Reclaimed hardwood is a type of solid wood that comes from salvaged pieces of barns, ships, mills, and homes. Since it’s extremely seasoned, reclaimed hardwood is moderately stable and resistant to moisture.
Additionally, our exclusive Carpet One brand, Hydrotek™, is a 100% waterproof, genuine hardwood product. Like engineered wood, it’s made using a layered construction that withstands warping from moisture. It also has a waterproof core and UV aluminum oxide finish that resists stains, abrasions, and spills. Luxury vinyl plank, which is indistinguishable from real hardwood for most modern consumers, is another stylish alternative to consider — and it’s generally more affordable and easier to install than traditional wood floors.
If you’re interested in learning more about hardwood and humidity, or which floors are best for you, contact us today, or visit our Summit, NJ location.
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